When Dissent at Work Is a Good Idea
Sometimes it's worth rocking the boat at work.
Posted October 22, 2015 | Reviewed by Devon Frye
Nowadays, many corporate cultures value harmony and teamwork above all else. This desire to keep things peaceful discourages dissent and encourages employees not to rock the boat.
However, a healthy amount of prudent dissent may help companies grow, innovate, create, and improve. In fact, many of the most successful companies in the world, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and Microsoft, have a history of establishing competitive and oftentimes stressful environments rife with healthy dissent.
According to the authors of a 2009 paper titled "How to Pick a Good Fight" and published in the Harvard Business Review :
Within an acceptable range of competition and tension, science shows, dissent will fire up more of an individual's brain, stimulating more pathways and engaging more creative centers. In short, more of what makes people unique, innovative, and passionate is available for use.
Obviously, not all disagreements or issues call for conflict. The authors of this paper recommend three principles to consider before picking a fight at work.
For most people, dissent is uncomfortable. Nevertheless, often the transient discomfort that accompanies rational and prudent dissent is bearable when the reward is great. The next time you decide to raise dissent at work, you may want to carefully consider the points listed above.
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Naveed Saleh, M.D., M.S. , attained a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and a master's degree in science journalism from Texas A&M.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.