We Should Disagree More Often

I swear it’s not because I’m difficult to get along with.

Photo by Afif Kusuma on Unsplash

Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.

Johnny Carson

I’m not a New Yorker, but that doesn’t stop me from arguing with people regularly. Sometimes it is because they hold a viewpoint different from mine, and other times I just enjoy being contradictory for the sake of it. I stumbled on the above quote recently, and it triggered me to investigate my penchant for disagreement. In some cases, conflict is destructive. It can damage relationships and impact productivity at work. But believe it or not, I found some reasons why we should be endeavoring to disagree more rather than less.

It Helps at Work

I’ll admit this sounds strange. Typically, disagreements at work lead to issues with productivity and the environment. But there is a silver lining. This article in the Harvard Business Review shows us that disagreements in the workplace can lead to improved work outcomes, better relationships, and a more inclusive work environment.

But how could that be true?

“Conflict is uncomfortable, but it is the source of true innovation, and also a critical process in identifying and mitigating risks.”