We all aim for consensus. We race to agree, even if we have lingering doubts. We don't want to rock the boat, so we "go along to get along." At what price?
False consensus is a very dangerous thing. It erodes commitment and engagement. It creates stalls and dodges when it's time for implementation. And it breaks down trust when people aren't "all in" on shared decisions made.
A much better alternative is productive conflict. That's conflict that will:
- Give voice to every team member
- Seek out diverse perspectives and mine for alternatives
- Push people to dig a little deeper and figure out what they really believe and want
- Examine all the angles and produce better solutions
- Build trust, commitment, and team unity as every team member is consulted and considered
If you work with a team, this presentation will help you become more effective together by using healthy conflict instead to replace unhealthy consensus.