I want to encourage people to express their opinions and to persist in doing so—of course, in an affirmative and positive way.
When you work for someone else, you tie the horse where the boss tells you to. Generally speaking, that makes sense because, in the end, the boss is responsible—for the horse, for you, and for the consequences of that decision.
But there’s a catch—one that we tend to forget or suppress.
Yes, we should tie the horse where the boss says, as long as we’re not leading it into a ditch. But we should also voice our opinion—about how we tie it, where we tie it, and when we tie it. If not for moral, ethical, or personal values, then simply because we have been entrusted with this responsibility. We got the job because we are experts in what we do, because we know more about taking care of the horse than others, and because someone trusted us to do that job well.
And so it should be in any profession.
We work in a specific role, we’ve been given trust, authority, and a salary. It is only right that we also take responsibility:
✔ Responsibility to express our professional opinion.
✔ Responsibility to warn about potential risks.
✔ Responsibility to offer alternative solutions.
✔ Responsibility to take necessary actions.
✔ Responsibility to do our job to the best of our ability.
✔ Responsibility to give our best effort.
So many responsibilities—and yet, all we need to do is tie the horse where the boss says!
“Why Speak Up If No One Listens?”
We often hear:
🔹 “I gave my opinion and made a suggestion, but the boss decided differently.”
🔹 “Why should I bother when someone else will make the decision anyway?”
🔹 “I’ve spoken up three times, and all I got was pushback.”
You suggest once, but the boss does their own thing.
You suggest twice, and they still do their own thing.
You suggest three times, and nothing changes.
So, why speak up the fourth, fifth, or tenth time if the boss will just do as they please?
Wouldn’t it be easier to stay silent?
Yes, it would be easier—but the catch is that it wouldn’t be right.
We Are Paid for Our Expertise—Not Just to Follow Orders
When we accept a job, we accept responsibility. By signing a contract, we promise to do our best. But does “doing our best” mean only following orders?
Who is that best really for?
We have a responsibility to express our professional opinions, even if:
- No one listens.
- It seems like we are unheard.
- It’s difficult.
- We disagree with the decision.
Our boss hired us because we have our own opinions. Even if they don’t listen the first, second, or third time, they still need to hear us out. After all, that’s what they’re paying us for.
What sense does it make to pay an expert and then not listen to them?
What sense does it make to be an expert and then not speak up?
The Value of the 56th Opinion
As an HR professional, I truly believe that every person wants to voice their opinion about their work. They want to be heard. And while that’s not always the case, it does not excuse us from the responsibility of expressing our professional views, offering solutions, and—regardless of the final decision—doing our job the best way we know how.
I also believe that when you pay someone, you should listen to their opinion.
Maybe you won’t listen the first, second, or third time—but eventually, you will.
And all 55 unheard opinions are worth it for the 56th one that finally makes a difference.
Responsibility Is Not Given—It’s Taken
No one gives us responsibility.
What we do receive is trust, freedom, and space to act.
But responsibility? That, we must take for ourselves.
Each of us. Individually.
To the best of our ability.