How can any company know if its processes, products, people are safe? Only if everyone is watching and telling the truth. The first part can be assumed; the second cannot.
Margaret HeffernanRead
[For constructive conflict,] we have to resist the neurobiological drive which means that we really prefer people mostly like ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the need to overcome our natural bias towards similarity in order to benefit from constructive conflict.
Margaret Heffernan highlights the importance of embracing diversity in perspectives rather than gravitating towards those who resemble us in thoughts and beliefs. Constructive conflict can lead to growth and innovation, but it requires an effort to resist our innate preference for similarity and engage with differing viewpoints for a richer dialogue.
Themes
ConflictDiversityPerspectivesSimilarityEngagement
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, to promote collaboration, I shared this quote to encourage everyone to voice different opinions.
More from Margaret Heffernan
All quotes βMost executives I know are so action-oriented, or action-addicted, that time for reflection is the first casualty of their success.
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Once you have power, you are inevitably surrounded by people who have their own agendas and will tell you whatever advances them.
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If the company depends entirely on you - your creativity, ingenuity, inspiration, salesmanship or charisma - nobody will want to buy it. The risk and the dependency are too great.
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Those in powerless positions aren't about to complain about bullying bosses, abusive supervisors or corrupt co-workers. There is no safe way to do so and no process that promises redress.
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Bosses and leaders everywhere should cherish the people who bring them bad news, disappointing data or hard problems.
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