Most of us are taught to defer to authority. As a result, we tend to disregard our internal compasses. But your instinct are often right. Here is how to counter your conditioning and question authority:
- Listen to your inner voice. Take a moment to breathe and consider what is going on. Ask yourself, “Are there other ways to approach this assignment?”
- Constructively question. Ask your boss, customer, or client: Why do we do it this way? Would you be open to different ways? Can we experiment?
- Reflect. Whether you’ve followed along or pushed for an alternative, think about what happened. Remember what it felt like to go against authority and think about how you might handle it differently in the future.
Adapted from “Learn to Trust Your Gut” by Ron Ashkenas.
