Dear Azim, How do you maintain integrity when your Board of Directors or business partners don’t see eye-to-eye on certain matters and outnumber you?

Recently one of our newsletter readers put forth this question, one which we all encounter at one time or the other in life. How do we function effectively when faced with opposition or are trying to work at an idea, which might seem unpopular or even be disliked by many?
I believe that we function from a place of integrity, when our hearts, minds and actions are in sync with one another. This sync happens when we can look beyond the self and are led by the higher purpose. Then, we simply do what needs to be done to achieve it, rather than getting bogged down by who is right, or whether our need to be right is being met. Then there is no need left to convince, defend or argue because there is no dissonance or doubt. The purpose becomes bigger than the individual.

In all group decisions, there are two vital things to remember:

Do you all agree on what constitutes the higher purpose of the business? (A lot of companies are unclear about this fundamental premise itself. Therefore it is not surprising to see them flounder with uncertainty.)
Do your actions support the higher purpose?
Keeping the higher purpose as a focal point and approaching every decision with humility and objectivity, lends your view a moral credence, which is hard to ignore by the others. Then, even if you fail, there is no remorse or regret, because you know that you did your best at that possible moment.

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