It is extremely easy to go with the flow, accept what the majority is doing as right, to follow popular opinion.  I say it is easy because most times it requires minimal to no effort, you are surrounded by like minded individuals who will not offer much resistance to your stance (after all, they feel the same way about said issue as you do).  The challenge comes when you go against the grain, that you do not agree with the popular opinion, that is when you are met with potentially a lot of resistance.  So what do you do?

If going against the grain is hard, then why do we do it?  There are times in life where following along with the majority is simply just not the right thing to do.  It takes courage to stand up and challenge the accepted believe, challenge it becuase you think it is wrong and there is a better way.

In business, if you are challenging a decision, you can be seen as a trouble maker, a loon, off your rocker, the list goes on.  But what if you are challenging the decision because you know that the decision is the wrong one, that it does not support the mission of your company, or the long term effects may be negative for the company?  Should you not speak your peace and stay quiet and potentially let the decision have long term negative effects on the company?  Or do you go against popular opinion, knowing that it could jeopardize a future promotion or pay increase because it is what is right for the greater good?

It happens in politics too.  Members of a certain party go against what is popular opinion for their party and “reach across the aisle” to do what is right for the country, not what is right for their party.  It is worth noting that McCain has demonstrated this several times throughout his careers, this reaching across the aisle even when it is against the popular opinion of his party.  Speaking of his party, there have been several members of it lately that have gone against the grain.  But it is not simply reaching across the aisle, they have gone a step further.  Republicans like Colin Powell and Former Senator Larry Pressler are breaking with party ties and are endorsing Obama for president.  They are no longer towing the party line, they recognize that there is something much greater at stake and do not support the candidate for their own party.  In my opinion, this takes tremendous courage, and it is something I am thankful that they have done.

Going against the grain is never easy, if it was, perhaps more would do it.  For those that have, whatever the situation is, I applaud you.