While diverse thinking and disagreements can be uncomfortable, they are more likely to lead… to progress, innovate, and come up with breakthrough solutions than consensus and “nice” conversations in which people hold back what they think.
Shane Snow, author of Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart
takeaways of note:
Remember – all on the same team… (1) colleagues, not adversaries; (2) shared goals; (3) all viewpoints welcome; (4) no singular winner – “team wins”; (5) everyone is equal participant
Keep it about facts, logic & topic at hand… (1) not about who cares more or who’s loudest, most powerful, or most articulate; (2) distinguish facts & interpretations; (3) if veer into other topics, acknowledge & reset
Don’t make it personal… (1) no personal attacks; (2) avoid casting judgment on people, rather than ideas; (3) give benefit of the doubt – assume good intentions; (4) nobody loses face for changing mind; (5) reward people for carrying the group forward, rather than being “right”
Be intellectually humble… (1) don’t take things personally; (2) listen to & respect each person & viewpoint; (3) admit when wrong – concede good points; (4) be curious – even ‘bad’ ideas can be useful