Resist peer pressure

Peer pressure does not only happen in high school. It’s alive and well in many organisations, but can manifest under the guise of good things such as team working and co-operation. However, there are situations where a forced ‘we’, just for the sake of it, doesn’t always work.

Your value comes from bringing what you’ve got so the collective gets better with everybody’s efforts. Standing up as an individual when necessary and working as part of a group are both important. Don’t give up on either.

Group think:

Work with others to improve thinking, cross fertilise ideas and influence decision making, but don’t ever feel like you simply have agree on something. There are times when it makes sense to go along with others and not over think. Take an interest in what others have to say and stimulate those ideas further with your own contributions and expect the same in return. Believe that your thoughts are valid too.

Group action:

Its human nature to gravitate towards wanting to belong to some group or community, whatever the incentives. Display social skill, develop right relationships to help you understand and appreciate the people you work with, but don’t lose yourself to the point where your course of action, can be assumed on the basis of the ‘group’ you belong to. Trust your judgment and let it guide you rather than be just a number in a group.

Cliquing:

Cliques may be appealing to join because for many, it’s a chance to be with likeminded people, enjoy safety in numbers and have one’s views shared by others. However, don’t be overinvested in needing to be part of a particular network of people that you cannot be yourself and simply default to conforming. Your team or organisation is better off when you bring your unique perspectives too.

Now take action:

How can you share your perspectives more?