Question Authority? Yes!!

Every meeting has one of these. The person who always agrees with the boss. The one who echoes what the boss said with full affirmation that those are the wisest words ever spoken. He or she never questions what is said. This is the Yes-er. (Notice that I didn’t say Yes-man. These people come in both male and female versions). 

The boss loves the Yes-er. The Yes-er makes the boss feel great -- that the boss is the smartest, wisest person ever to run the company. But I would argue that Yes-ers (and those who love them) are harmful to well functioning organizations. It takes many great minds to manage a successful organization. No one person has all the answers or the perspectives needed to make sound decisions. 

A good decision maker hears the perspectives of many individuals, is open to learning and understanding alternate approaches, makes a thoughtful analysis of alternate ideas, and then makes the call. Is this “paralysis by analysis”? It need not be. Just because you get many ideas doesn’t mean you have to please everyone. But chances are that among those varying ideas is something you haven’t yet come up with, an idea that really gets you to where you want to be. 

Add diversity to your management team and see what great ideas you can come up with. Include men and women, experienced staff and recent grads, people of different backgrounds and races. You’ll get perspectives you never thought of. And if you’re the Yes-er, keep in mind that you are not adding value to the organization. Making your boss’ ego feel good might enhance your brownie-point score, but that’s about it. Your boss needs you to think on your own, to come up with something new and brilliant, to present an idea she hadn’t thought of. 

So – is it okay to question authority? Not only is it alright, it’s critical to organizational growth. Here’s how you do it – 

1. Think first, then speak. If you disagree with the point being made, makes sure you have an alternate idea based in facts or personal observations that you can defend. You can’t disagree with an issue unless you can propose a solution that’s better. If you don’t have something better to propose, then stay out of the conversation. 

2. Choose your venue carefully. Presenting a controversial or differing idea should not be done in front of a large group. Catch your boss in her office or send her an email with your idea. If you present your idea in front of a large group, your boss may need to dismiss it outright just to exert her position of authority. In a one-on-one discussion, the differing idea is less of a threat and that opens up the thinking process to a more open, collaborative approach. 

3. Choose your words carefully. Start with agreement on whatever your boss said that you do agree with. Then present your idea as an option or alternative that could also work. If you come off too strong, you’ll be an immediate turn off. 

4. Agree to disagree. There will be times when a decision will be made that you completely disagree with. You don’t have to agree with the approach to comply. The boss is still the boss. You can agree to disagree and do your best to respect the decision. After all, she still signs your paycheck. 

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4. Not all your ideas will be winners, but the fact that you’re thinking about ways to do things better is something that all good bosses will appreciate. 

Don’t be afraid to question authority! Done right, it will help your career grow and make your organization a better place to work.