4 Reasons Conflict Isn't So Bad

Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago. – Horace Mann

Conflict Is Good

The Lazy Leader believes conflict is good because it:

• Leads to better team work,
• stimulates new ideas,
• provides reason for discussion, and
• is a catalyst for change.

Conflict leads to better team work

Conflict and criticism are unavoidable. They are a fact of life. But we can choose to deal with them positively.

Provocation is on the opposite lane of resolution. – Toba Beta

The inherent purpose of criticism is to draw our attention to something that needs change or improvement. Or to put things back on course. However, simply stating how you feel about someone or something is unhelpful. Indeed, criticizing someone or something is difficult and risky and needs to be done constructively.

Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. – Winston Churchill

The lazy leader is assertive and makes their views clear. Their honesty and openness puts them in control. The team benefits because it is learning and improving. And in time we gain trust because the team welcomes criticism as a natural part of its development.

Conflict stimulates new ideas

I have said that disagreement is unavoidable and creates a potential for teams to evolve and grow. My view is to encourage conflict.

Ideas stand in the corner and laugh while we fight over them. – Marty Rubin

When the team questions and challenges things as they are, it begins to innovate. It creates competition. It encourages people to communicate with precision because everyone wants to be understood.