Teams That Team Tolerate Tension
One of the distinguishing attributes of highly effective leadership teams is their capacity to tolerate the tensions in difference.
Rather than avoid the tensions, they understand that collaboration always dances with difference. Without difference, there is no need for collaboration. And there is no collaboration without conflict.
To create a safer space to tolerate difference, they share three attributes:
They invite disagreement: they invite differing views, ideas and perspectives to explore and access new possibilities to see things differently and make more informed decisions to enable better outcomes. They unconditionally accept one another’s intentions are to the mutual benefit of the team and its stakeholders.
They accept that silencing disagreement sacrifices safety: they default to curiosity. Floundering teams choose silence over truth. When tensions rise, they withdraw or defend their positions. Flourishing teams do the opposite. They replace defensiveness with inquiry. Curiosity bridges difference and connection.
They caringly criticise and challenge: they accept that caring criticism is intended to enable learning rather than serve to weaken or undermine. They seek the leaning from criticism. Criticism is sought as a rich source of learning.
When teams relate with care, respect, and shared intention, conflict becomes a source of insight rather than division. Challenge sharpens thinking. Criticism becomes feedback for learning.
Their intentions are unarguable.
INVITATION
The next time you feel tension rising in a conversation, resist the temptation to protect yourself through silence, defensiveness, or certainty.
First declare your intention. Then share your truth.
No one can make it safe for you. Only you can choose to be braver.
May you flourish.