The Importance Of Being Contrarian

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Being contrarian

Every human being has an inbuilt desire of being liked or accepted. Many times we tend to be with the majority rather than being singled out. Howsoever we may be convinced within ourselves against the idea/proposal, we fail in mustering the courage to go against the tide. Why does it happen? Do we seek support from the group/crowd to back our point of view? Who are those who dare to put forward their point of view knowing well it may not find favour with those proposing it? Answer to these questions and psychology behind it lead to this article.

The reason why we aspire to be with group/leader rather being seen against is first and foremost our basic human need of being liked and accepted. As Maslow figured out it is part
The one who conform unthinkingly to the usual practices or standards of a group or society. This no way suggests that it is wrong being a conformist. Rather in societal set up it is appropriate and is required for smooth running of social life. But it is advantageous to have contrarians at workplace to give a challenge to existing practices. To have positive disruptions and create fresh thoughts/processes of workplace rules/productivity, contrarian thoughts often create new possibilities. The world renowned contrarians such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mohammad Ali and Steve Jobs have changed the
Further contrarian thought also believes that it’s always the great people, not great job descriptions that make organisations successful.
The spoken words have magical impact on workforce as each human mind has deepest desire of being addressed or spoken to. It helps in inspiring the teams and touching their emotional chord. Hierarchy rules of top down approach, may not find favour with contrarians. They know the meaning of getting the feedback at the ground.
Often organizational rules will require you to be firm and display such behaviour. Contrarian thought will say to avoid unnecessary humiliation of one who is already a defeated opponent. Being a supervisor or head of department, contrarian thought do suggest showing that you indeed work for those who are working for you and believe in investing your time and energy in helping them to

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