In a recent developer conference presentation, (click here to watch), Erik Meyer talked about the negative impact of subtle control to the success of projects and ultimately to the competitiveness of the companies attempting to run those projects. Erik talks about what happens if you are willing to stand up and challenge the status quo..."If you have an opposing view...you will put in a role where you have no relevance."
The story of Ignas Semmelweis is a really good example of this. Here is a guy that worked very hard and applied science to help make things better. He managed to find a working solution - doctors should wash their hands and tools in chlorine before assisting with child birth. It worked! And he was able to prove that it worked with data, (see Ignas's chart below).
But poor Ignas was not very tactful politically within his work place. Ignas had the answer and was able to demonstrate that he had the answer with data but because of office politics, (basically), his research was dismissed and, eventually, he lost his job. His life spiraled down from there. Here was a man ahead of his time, and so close to making a paradigm shift that would save lives, with scientific evidence behind him. Yet ignorance and politics in his workplace held him back. Very sad and very, very real.
So the next time you hear a differing opinion, try putting the knives away and listening. However far that opinion may be from consensus, let go of the subtle control and give it a chance. That idea, (especially if there is data or common sense behind it), might be the paradigm shift you are looking for.
