When a SEAL chief senses tension within his team, he often plays the “Van fight” card. What, you ask is a van fight?
The leader says the word and the team gets in the van. The leader is off limits. He drives the van. The teammates get in the back of the van and fight it out amongst themselves. They literally kick each others ASS. Once they are all good and tired, the chief pulls the van over and they get outside and talk it out. Remember, leader, your job is to get the team tired together. When tired, more truth is told.
Most leaders avoid conflict. Transformational leaders mine for it. When they sense false harmony or, even worse, contempt building, they agitate the team. The aim? Fight to improve performance, not prove a point. Transformational teams eliminate elephants in the room. They eradicate conflict that is, well, eradicateable. They develop the wisdom to make their peace with gridlocked conflict too. What about you, leader? Are you starting the right van fights? Are you teaching your team to bubble up conflict or bury it? Are you over valuing false harmony? Slow down. Reflect. Learn. What, if anything, are you gonna do with it?
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 