What do you do when you’re faced with opposition?

Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

I had the privilege of offering a talk to a group of close to 30 entrepreneurs who are part of Novustack (formerly Innovate for Africa) which exists to build innovation ecosystems across Africa by identifying, training and supporting aspiring African entrepreneurs who add value to existing startups. For the discussion I offered them lessons and mental shifts to support entrepreneurial success. One of the key lessons and mental shifts I offered was a different perspective on how we can define, value and respond to opposition. I began this part of the talk by inviting participants to share their views on opposition. Most comments suggested that opposition presents hurdles to progress and success. However, one participant noted that opposition presented the opportunity to better understand a problem. As an example, he mentioned, research and/or other activities to strengthen one’s toolkit, opposition need not be a barrier.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

This view and awareness of opposition as an opportunity is one that distinguishes entrepreneurs who are poised to succeed and those who are not. Certainly, wisdom and discernment are needed to identify if and/or when opposition should be confronted. Too often in the face of opposition, we have been preconditioned to think in the following ways:

1. This new idea/project/opportunity must be a bad idea.
2. I will not be successful along this path.
3. I do not have what it takes to move forward.

However, these thoughts stem from a fixed rather than growth mindset. A fixed mindset is certain advancement is not possible and that one’s current level of ability or knowledge is unchanging. This line of thinking is a hindrance to progress and growth. Our levels of ability and knowledge are dynamic and ever-poised for expansion under the right conditions. Therefore, opposition may be a true opportunity.

With a growth mindset in mind, what if we threw questions rather than our confidence in the face of opposition? Rather than subscribe to fixed mindset views, what if we asked of opposition the following:

1. What might this opposition be attempting to teach me?
2. How might this opposition help me develop greater strength, character and/or perseverance for the future?
3. What do I need to know or do differently to better respond to this opposition?
4. Who might be able to help me and/or hold me accountable to appropriately face this opposition?

These questions stem from the idea that opposition is not evidence of sure failure, instead what if we saw opposition as evidence that we were indeed on the right path? Think about it. The only reason a shooting star like Stephen Curry is so well guarded and faces constant opposition when playing basketball is because he poses a formidable threat. If he did not, the opposition he faces would be far less intense, if not nonexistent.

Opposition shows up, because you’re a threat.

If we extend this analogy, we know that Stephen Curry does not flee in the face of his opponents; his training, support from the coaching staff, teammates, fans, family and friends, and his own champion mentality have prepared him to face opposition with gusto and brilliance. So can you.

The next time you face opposition, remember someone thinks you’re as likely to score as Stephen Curry.