I "stood up" to my boss about eighteen months ago about a particular matter which caused me a sleepless night or two.  The circumstances of this matter are very sensitive, but it suffices to say that it was an extremely serious matter which, had it become public knowledge (and these things always have a habit of leaking out one way or another) would have resulted in both my boss and the Chairman of our company having to resign.  My own position might also have been damaged if the matter had been allowed to continue.

Was I right?  Definitely.  Did I feel a sense of accomplishment?  I felt I had done what was right and just, and I had saved the bacon of a couple of people. Doing what I did is not easy and you have to think it through very carefully. You have to have very good reasons for doing what I did and be able to justify them.  You also have to think of the consequences for yourself.  Looking at it from a senior person's point of view - don't expect that person to be grateful that their "junior" saved their bacon.  Human nature doesn't necessarily work that way.   Was my boss just being stubborn?  The only charitable conclusion one can come to is that my boss took a certain decision as a reaction to a situation, and lacked judgement on that occasion - don't we all, from time to time?  Did something interesting come of it?  I suppose that some people around my office listen to me a bit more and seem to value my advice, and even ask for it.  I'm always discreet and respectful, though.

Raindance