On January 3rd, our first real day back to work, I came across an article on Inc.com via twitter entitled “Why Every Company Needs a Jerk”. It got me thinking about new year's resolutions and change instruments within our organizations.

A jerk (according to the dictionary) isn’t just someone who’s an unlikable person; especially one who is cruel, rude, or small-minded. Instead, I prefer to use a different definition: a quick, often unpleasant tug or shake. This kind of “jerk” is an important voice in your organization. They aren’t the person who always says “no”. He or she is the person with the guts to stand up and say, “We need to rethink this.” The Jerk shakes up our complacency.

I know someone who had a very successful company in our industry. But the founder forgot that he didn’t build the company alone. It took a whole team of people to achieve success. He also hated (really!) anyone who contradicted him or disagreed. Those people in his circle didn’t last long. And now? He’s out of the exhibition business and working for someone else. Unhappily so. Wondering what went wrong. It’s simple—hubris.

Had he listened to the nay-sayers in his company, he may still be in business (regardless of the global recession). The role of the contrarian—or jerk, if you will—is to stand up to organizational leadership and point out that the emperor may not be wearing any clothes. Or that a new proposed revenue stream will anger your clients, the ramifications thereof being loss of business and bad will. (i.e., Verizon’s proposed online payment fee—or your EAC fee?)

Who’s your organization’s “Jerk”? If you don’t have one, think about finding one—immediately. If you do have one, give that person a big thank you along with a raise. They’ve earned it.

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On another note, check out this article in Forbes on tradeshows by our friend Gary Shapiro of CES International. Here’s wishing the CES team a successful show next week!

Stephanie Selesnick, CEM is President of International Trade Information, Inc., a Los Angeles, CA-based boutique international exhibition management and conference company founded in 1972. ITI has always had an international focus—whether launching shows in other countries or bringing foreign exhibitors and visitors into U.S.-based exhibitions  and events. Reach her at stephanie@intltradeinfo.com and follow her on Twitter @StephSelesnick.