Dissent as a Growth Opportunity

     There are times when I sit in a meeting in full disagreement with the conversation taking place. I often choose to remain silent in favor of taking my frustration to a quieter place where I can sit with it. Those uncomfortable moments of feeling that something is fundamentally incorrect, something many can relate to, can bloom into great learning opportunities not only for thoughtful individuals but also for organizations that function with a growth mindset. The trick is what to do with them and when.

    What's most dangerous about moments of disagreement is the possibility of saying too much, of offending, of failing to honor an implicit code of professional conduct. The problem is not that one person's views are out of sync with the party line, rather how that person can share their opposing perspective in a way that feels safe for the individual and welcome by leadership.

    A learning organization intentionally creates spaces for voices of dissent, inviting them as opportunities for change and expansion of ideas. This space can take many forms. Traditionally we think of the suggestion box where recommendations for improvement and grievances of all sizes are furtively tucked into a cardboard box, perhaps never to be read at all. In one honestly authoritarian organization I know of, the shredder was labeled "suggestion box." 

    To move fully in the opposite direction of the shredder, let's think about a place where dissent is valued, maybe even treasured as the stuff of creativity and positive change. That place relies on the commitment of all leaders to be responsive and respectful of opposing points of view. There is a culture around speaking out that not only honors it but elevates it to a kind of institutional intelligence. The one who speaks may do it not only with confidence but a sense of duty to the embetterment of the organization. The one who listens has the strength to move past any discomfort and consider the alternative point of view, weighing how it could be incorporated into a new way of doing and being.

    Every employee of every organization desires to feel valued. In a learning organization, the unique perspective and voice of each of its members is regarded as capital that is not only accepted but celebrated. It is diversity of people and their ideas that creates a motivating synergy within organizations. There is room for big egos and quiet brilliance, for analytical minds and intuitive bodies. Working in a company where all thoughts are welcome creates a buzz of belonging and a chain of collaboration that supports long-term growth and wellness for all involved.