Not backing down

Team environments can be difficult to manage at times. Never has this been more true that at the Brandcenter. I was told recently that majority rules within a team and I must agree to go with the majority every time. That I should not try to support my opinion or continually ask clarifying questions so I may too get on board with the majority. I am simply suppose to let the majority rule. Well, I don't operate that way. I don't follow the pack because the meeting has grown long or the team is seeking an easy way out, but knows it could do better.

In almost 14 years of working on team projects whether at business school or in the professional workplace, teams have never felt so much like an ongoing battle as they do now. The battleground is created by those who are not willing to open their minds long enough to consider alternative solutions; by those who do not take the time to request additional explanation to better understand another person's perspective; or by those who don't want to try a compilation of the best ideas as a form of compromise.

I believe that if a person feels so strongly about something that there must be a sound reason for it. Sometimes the reason is based on a misunderstanding and other times it is based on solid thinking. Why should this person's opinion be valued less just because they are in the minority? The supreme court lets the minority express its opinion for the record. So why can't I?