Is Total Agreement Your Measure of Success?

Is total agreement your measure of success?

As leaders, nobody intentionally seeks disagreement. In the perfect world of our imaginations, strategies, vision, and implementation all work in sync. We envision people who are perfectly equipped to carry everything out to our high, yet fair, standards. This results in the extraordinary outcomes we imagine. However, it usually doesn't happen that way.

When someone in the room disagrees with our proposed strategy or action, we are often rudely awakened from our daydream of perfect plans, people, and outcomes. "How do I get everyone to agree?" you might wonder.

Understanding Disagreement

This blog isn’t about how to get the team to agree with you. Instead, I hope you will examine your mindset when others disagree. Determine if that mindset is sabotaging your performance. How you respond to disagreements might reveal more about your fears and insecurities as a leader than the actual disagreements from colleagues.

In today's turbulent and rapidly changing landscape, might a raised disagreement protect you or your organization from the effects of market shifts or blind spots? Bring your ego back in check, and consider the following:

It’s Not Personal, It’s Perspective

What may look like a disagreement with your leadership could simply be a view from a different perspective. We know the school-aged analogy about perspective: the picture looks different based on where you’re standing. Having the benefit of those “standing” in different places gives you a greater view of both the subtleties and potential solutions to an issue.

Groupthink is Bad for Business

In an article from Theweek.com, the difference in strategy between Borders and Barnes and Noble was examined. One reason cited for the demise of Borders was a strategy the company adopted with Amazon. While I’m not focusing on the strategy itself, a comment from a team member of Borders stands out:

"I remember thinking this is the weirdest thing… and [that] it was the last thing we wanted to do," says Manish Vyas, then a manager of Borders' online unit. "It ended up being a customer-harvesting vehicle for Amazon."

What might have happened if that strategy was questioned by someone with a different vantage point, like the employee above?

Alignment Versus Agreement

Consider this definition of alignment from a graphic arts perspective: “In literal terms, alignment means the arrangement of various items in relation to the various borders or edges of the allowable area.” Often, when we think of having the team in alignment, we are looking for agreement instead. The elements in a graphic piece don’t all have the same function or placement but work together to create the right visual effect. Team members may not agree on what is most important in the strategy, but honoring all points of view could provide a better outcome than a team where everyone agrees on everything.

Shifting Your Mindset

So how do you shift your ability to utilize the power of disagreement? With some self-examination and work:

1. Recognize if you view disagreement as a personal attack. This can be a sign of insecurity and the need for constant validation. It may lead you to surround yourself with "yes-people" who affirm your decisions rather than challenge them.

   
   

2. Do you believe allowing disagreement means you are losing control or influence? Some leaders resist differing viewpoints because they perceive them as a threat to their control or a challenge to their overall direction.

   
   

3. Have you surrounded yourself with those who agree with you on everything? “Confirmation bias” (the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories) might lead some leaders to favor information that supports their existing beliefs while dismissing contradictory evidence.

   
   

The Benefits of Embracing Disagreement

Embracing disagreement can lead to innovative solutions and improved team dynamics. When team members feel safe to express differing opinions, it fosters an environment of trust and collaboration. This can ultimately lead to better decision-making and more successful outcomes.

Encouraging Open Dialogue

Encouraging open dialogue is crucial for a thriving team environment. Leaders should create spaces where team members can voice their opinions without fear of retribution. This can be achieved through regular feedback sessions, brainstorming meetings, or even anonymous suggestion boxes.

The Role of a Coach

Hiring a coach or thought partner can help you identify blind spots that may hinder your or your team's performance. A coach can provide valuable insights and strategies to shift your thinking around disagreement. We would love to talk with you.

Conclusion

How might your team grow if you, the leader, allowed for open, respectful disagreement as you examine the next steps for your team? Consider the “Tenth Man Strategy” clip from the movie, Zombie Apocalypse below:

https://youtu.be/k25X3KY_m8k?si=Uv7A8zvmcRPoPkhe

Michele Aikens is CEO & Lead Coach of Clear Sight Coaching & Consulting, Inc.