Last week, we discussed the importance of leading when the majority is wrong and identified the misled majority. Remember, if doubt and fear are the main motivators, you can just about bet that the majority is wrong.
This week’s post is more practical. We’re going to talk about how to lead when the majority is wrong. I have found three best practices for leading successfully in the face of opposition.
1. Celebrate the dissenting voices.
Dissenting voices are the ones that don’t agree with you. These are the people in your workplace that can seem negative, but they aren’t afraid to share their opinion. They will be the first to play devil’s advocate if there is a unanimous decision in the room, and this is a good thing. You need people around you that aren’t afraid to question your actions and choices. This questioning forces you to consider all of your options, establish your beliefs, and make wise decisions when the majority is wrong.
2. Choose gritty people.
Do you remember The Little Engine That Could? Generations of elementary school students have heard this story of a little train engine eager to do anything to get the job done. Yet, how many of these children grew up to be hard-working, determined individuals? How many of them possess grit? Being gritty doesn’t mean being dirty or slick or dishonest. Being gritty means being willing to do whatever it takes to produce excellent work. Consider your current workplace and your team. Do you have gritty people? These are the people that embrace the company’s mission and that aren’t afraid of long days, difficult projects, and pressing deadlines. They are the ones that push everyone else to see the finish line and work harder to get there. They are the ones that help develop grit in their coworkers.
3. Courageously stand up when others are sitting down.
It is easy to follow a crowd. It is easy to conform to the majority, but standing up for your beliefs and for what is right has a lasting positive impact on you as a leader and on your community. In some cases, the fruit of this courage is instantaneous, and in others, it takes time to develop. However, this courage is crucial to leading when the majority is wrong.
For example, Coach Maurice “Mo” Cheeks of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team led when the majority was wrong at the start of a game. The young girl chosen to sing the national anthem could not remember the words to the song, and instead of watching awkwardly with the rest of the coaches, players, and spectators, Mo Cheeks stood next to her and helped her finish the national anthem, feeding her the words along the way. The majority was wrong to wait awkwardly for the girl to fail, and Mo Cheeks led with humility in his decision to help her.
You lead when the majority is wrong when you celebrate the dissenting voices, choose gritty people, and stand up when others are sitting down. If you follow these steps, you will build a great team and lead a great team in the face of opposition.
This week, ask yourself the three questions below, and decide how you will lead when the majority is wrong.
1. Do I celebrate the dissenting voices in my life?
2. Do I choose gritty people to work on my team?
3. Do I have the courage to stand up when others are sitting down?
