In the spring of 2021, I was beyond excited to see a classic college lacrosse game that was coming to Washington, DC. My son was playing for Villanova and they were set to square off on the campus of Georgetown, an easy drive from my house. It was a fierce in-league rivalry, both teams were highly ranked, and both offenses were explosive and exciting to watch. There was only one problem. No fans were allowed to attend the game.
The COVID protocols at the time were a little erratic, and there was general confusion about the application of the rules. I decided to roll the dice and drive down to the campus just in case there was a chance of catching some live action. I parked the car, walked across the lawn, and secured a spot along the fence high above the field. Nobody asked me any questions, and I didn’t ask any in return.
I watched the warm-ups in solitary silence, feeling secure in my isolated nest behind the goal. This was gonna be fun! But just as the players settled back onto the sideline to await introductions, an announcement blared across the loudspeaker:
“Will the fan along the fence please leave the premises immediately?”
Who me? Rut Roh! The jig was up!
But it wasn’t going to be that easy. I had come all that way and was minding my own business. I firmly believed in my position. The announcement didn’t shake my conviction and I was at least going to stick around one of the greatest ceremonies in sport. I shot back to no one in particular and yet to everyone.
“I’m staying for the National Anthem!”
Sure enough, they played the National Anthem and introduced the starters. Then they set the faceoff and routinely started the game. No one came chasing after me and I wasn’t running. And then a funny thing happened. A couple of fans saw me and sauntered up against the fence on the other side of the field. Then a few more bystanders on campus noticed it was a close game and joined us. And by the second half, over a hundred fans lined the fence, wildly cheering the back-and-forth barn burner. We were all treated to an instant classic!
But I would have missed it had I not trusted my gut instincts and stayed firm with my convictions. And couldn’t we all benefit from more of that in our own lives?
Sometimes, We Have to Dig In
In our work lives, we can come under constant attack. Perhaps we believe a deal needs a different partner when everyone else is satisfied with the incumbent. Perhaps we believe in a team member that everyone else has dismissed and discarded. Perhaps we see a unique market that could benefit the larger organization when everyone else sees liability. Perhaps we firmly believe in the upside of an asset when everyone else sees nothing but downside. With enough people whispering confident advice, our contrary positions will waver.
When the whole world seems stacked against us, it is very difficult to hold firm. Outside voices can make us second-guess ourselves. Or worse, start to question our own fundamental beliefs. But we didn’t get where we are today by trusting OTHER people’s gut instincts. We have to block out the noise and stay confident in our OWN thoughts and positions. That soft voice inside our head is a wise teacher. We can’t be afraid to dig in our heels when challenged with a dissenting opinion.
Follow Your Gut
That is not to imply we need to be a bull in a china shop, constantly spewing contrarian logic and holding firm. There is a fine line between conviction and pigheadedness. Sometimes, we are too close to an issue to objectively act or comment. Sometimes, we simply haven’t considered the other side. Sometimes, outside advice can save us from ourselves. We will need to see both sides of an issue. We will need to compromise and seek out the advice of mentors. We are not living in a black-and-white and there is plenty of nuance and gray.
But we can’t be intimidated or bullied away from our core beliefs. Sticking with our gut, even when unpopular, will help us find clarity in times of uncertainty. And inspire and encourage others to act. And, as a bonus, will help us stay resilient when the deck ultimately flips against us.
At the end of the day, we know what we need to do. We aren’t starting from scratch. We can revert to logic and our faith and the foundation that we have built along our journey. Taking a stand is not for the faint of heart. But our conviction and passion will always guide us back to our inner voice and gut instinct. And that is something we can trust.
I sure am glad I stuck around for the National Anthem.