The Ability To Disagree

The most effective teams have regular, intense debates. The ability to disagree without causing offense is a crucial precondition for good communication and problem-solving, according to Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton. Great leaders don’t encourage their team members to come to agreements quickly; as a matter of fact, they help their teams disagree–productively.

No one will ever have all the correct answers, and ultimately, you will make better decisions as a leader by having diverse people and views on your team. When teammates have an opportunity to challenge each other, as long as the discussions are respectful and everyone gets a chance to contribute equally, most people thrive on this kind of debate, finding it intellectually stimulating and helpful for unearthing the best solutions.

Building a team with conflicting world views or differing opinions of your industry will push you to think critically – even more so than you may have in the past. If you want to build a great company, permit your team to disagree with you, listen to their feedback because it’s not about you; it’s all about providing the best service and products that make a difference in the lives of the people you are entrusted to serve.