Divergent opinions are necessary for progress and growth. Often, the most radical positions are not appreciated at the time they are expressed, and it is sometime into the future that the contribution is appreciated.
I also reflect on leadership presented by local business visionaries. Positions forged from frustration and hardened over countless interactions with inflexible regulations, legislation, bureaucrats, and unnecessary obstruction.
We form opinions of those who push for change, pursue progress, challenge status quo or public opinion and seek advancement through their aims. They are often considered ‘difficult’ or ‘angry’ or a pariah to be associated with. Why, because they don't confirm to traditional thinking and they challenge conventional wisdom. They are visionaries. They are disruptors.
Culturally, we don't like conflict. We don't want to ruffle feathers or be too pushy. But every element of society, every sector has their vocal outliers creating change. The ones not happy to follow the rules or do things the way “it’s always been done”. These are the people who collectively coax us through advancement.
They may be neighbors with ideas, community leaders challenging us to become better, business people looking at problems through a new lens, politicians prepared to upset an applecart or teachers inspiring what our future will become. These are the ones who create an environment of opportunity. They may not be the ones to realize success, but they lay the foundation on which progress is built.
I feel optimistic for our future as a community and harnessing opportunities before us. This environment would not be possible without the trailblazers who pushed for change. Their goals largely unachieved, but others follow to surpass their ambitions.
As our population achieves new milestones and our economy diversifies we are on the cusp of many economic transformations. Employment, development, governance, prosperity and creativity all intersect to evolve rapidly in a healthy and growing environment. As we accomplish these milestones we should recognize no achievements are possible without the ground work of those who came before us and paved the way.
Celebrate the contrarians. Those who go against the grain on issues. Support the non-conformists who never take “no” for an answer and offend all in their quest for achievement. Recognize that change is always occurring and those who push for faster change are not heretics but architects of our future.
Blake Doyle is The Guardian's small business columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].
