Do the opposite of what you think is right

Being a systems architect, you inevitably get caught up in project politics. Whenever you are faced with a situation where you feel like saying something which would cause problems politically, even if it is the right thing to do technically - don't do it. Fight the urge to be rational and to think of the greater good. Those are still your ultimate goals, but you can achieve them better through indirect means than confronting a bunch of people in a political struggle.