The greatest teams, I contend, fight better than the normal ones. They fight to improve performance, not to prove a point. Very cool. At BTL, we help our families, friends, and clients learn how to fight productively. This is NOT easy. Too many leaders fight because they are ANGRY. When this happens the outcome is very predictable. We see this all too often. What happens?
The team shuts down. They hold back. They play it safe and stay down low. This team underperforms and rarely creates.
Bono, one of my favorite leaders, said something I’ve put in the playbooks about this topic. His message was personal and professional. His belief is that he “is only as good as the arguments he gets.” I could not agree more. There’s a reason U2 has been making magic for 30 years!!
Here’s another one that most of us know. Google. In this past issue of FAST COMPANY, btw the only magazine all builder’s must subscribe to, they profile the top 50 most innovative companies. Here’s what Google’s CIO had to say about creativity…”Google lives out loud. We ARGUE about everything. But you want conflict to thrive in a SUPPORTIVE way. We work hard to protect people who argue.”
How well does your culture cultivate the rebel?
What do you believe leads to creativity?
How diverse is your team?
Why is diversity of thinking so key to innovation?
Why?
BUILT TO LEAD 