Why challenging perspectives should be a core skill for every marketer
“There’s rarely a single right answer in marketing
- but there’s always value in a different perspective.”
During my time at university, I found myself frequently challenging a particular lecturer. Never in a confrontational way, always from a place of curiosity and perspective.
They held firm to the belief that their viewpoint was the “right” one. And to be fair, they had the credentials to back that confidence: a published book, years of experience, and a respected position at a leading university.
But whenever a student offered an alternative view, the response was an immediate shutdown. No discussion. No exploration. No openness to nuance. Their way was the way - end of story.
And that, to me, completely contradicts what marketing is.
Marketing is perspective. It’s interpretation. It’s exploration.
There is rarely a single correct answer, and there is certainly no universal formula that works for every brand, every audience, or every scenario. Of course, there are ethical boundaries - but beyond that, marketing thrives on difference. On fresh angles. On curiosity. On challenge.
That’s why it never sat right with me that part of our degree hinged on interpreting marketing through one person’s personal worldview. The exam felt less like assessing strategic thinking and more like recalling someone’s personal philosophy. I’m pretty sure they even quoted themselves in it.
Unsurprisingly, my attendance in that module dropped. I passed, but not with the enthusiasm I had for other parts of the course.
Because here’s the truth:
I’m a challenger. I always have been. And in marketing, that’s an asset - not a flaw.
If everyone approached marketing the same way, we’d be left with:
no differentiation
no innovation
no originality
no meaningful brand identities
Brands would blur into one another. Creativity would stall. Strategy would stagnate.
The marketers who make an impact - the ones who change thinking, shift categories, or elevate brands - are the ones who aren’t afraid to question. To look at something from another angle. To challenge the default.
Not for the sake of being right, but for the sake of being better.
How to challenge effectively (without being confrontational)
Challenging well is a skill, and done right, it builds trust, not tension.
Ask a question before sharing your view.
It helps you understand the other person’s thinking and invites a more open conversation.
Acknowledge their perspective.
Showing appreciation for their view keeps the dialogue collaborative rather than competitive.
Avoid defensive language.
Use neutral phrases like:
“Have you considered…?” / “I’ve seen others try X - what’s your view on that?”
Bring data or examples.
It elevates the conversation and adds context beyond opinion.
Keep your mindset positive.
Challenging isn’t about proving someone wrong, it’s about expanding the picture.
Why this matters for the next generation of marketers
In today’s digital, fast-moving landscape, we don’t need more marketers who simply follow templates or memorise frameworks. We need strategic thinkers. Curious problem-solvers. People who can see beyond the obvious.
But that requires environments - academic or professional - where challenge is encouraged, not dismissed. Where questioning is seen as a strength, not a disruption.
Because two marketers can hold completely different opinions, and neither has to be “better” than the other. That’s the beauty of this industry. There is space for nuance, experimentation, and alternative thinking.
Marketing thrives when people feel empowered to explore, question, and challenge.
Quiet confidence. Strategic curiosity. Perspective over prescription. That’s how better ideas are born - and how brands build real differentiation.