🎙️ EP 94: The Power of NO – Why inviting disagreement is an essential skill

In this episode, we cover a crucial skill every leader should master – inviting disagreement. Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone seemed to agree with your boss’s idea, but you had reservations? Or shared an idea with someone and wondered if they were just trying to please you? It’s a common problem, and as a manager, it’s crucial to create an environment where people feel comfortable disagreeing with you.

So, why is it essential to disagree? Here are the five reasons we cover:

• Better decision-making
• Increased trust
• Improved collaboration
• Enhanced creativity
• Greater accountability

We also discuss three examples of how to invite disagreement and five objections people may have to it.

But how can you overcome these objections? We provide you with a few next steps that you can take, such as listening actively, asking for pros and cons, acknowledging limitations, rewarding dissent, setting ground rules, and even playing the devil’s advocate.

By mastering the skill of inviting disagreement, you can create a culture of open communication and access a wider range of perspectives and ideas. It can lead to better decision-making, improved collaboration, increased trust, enhanced creativity, and greater accountability. So, if you’re a leader looking to make the best decisions for your team or organization, then learning the skill of inviting disagreement is a must.

Tune in to this episode to discover how to create a safe space for dissent, empower your team members to speak up and take ownership of their work, and ultimately become a more effective leader.