What do John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the Wright brothers and the founders of Google have in common? They show that disagreement and opposing views can create magic. It is easy to walk away from uncomfortable situations, but often, new insights and opportunities arise in these moments of discomfort.
A Day in the Life
One of The Beatles’ most popular and iconic songs is “A Day in the Life”, but that song did not come about without a struggle. John Lennon and Paul McCartney often disagreed with each other. Lennon preferred an experimental and avant-garde style, while McCartney leaned towards a melodic, traditional pop and rock style. Instead of avoiding uncomfortable discussions and compromising by choosing one of the two directions, they found a way to combine their different styles into something magical.
Surprises
Disagreement is a powerful engine for innovation and progress. Conflicting ideas create space for surprising and unexpected insights that would not have surfaced otherwise. Exploring contradictions forces people to think creatively and imagine new solutions they have not considered before. That tension between different points of view often leads to groundbreaking innovations. When opinions clash, inspiration for change and growth arises.
The story of Lennon and McCartney is a great example of that, and there are many more. The Wright brothers are known for their heated discussions, but without that bickering, they probably would never have been able to build the world’s very first aeroplane. Furthermore, Google probably would not have been as successful if, in the early years, Larry Page (co-founder) and Eric Schmidt (CEO) had not regularly fought about the company’s direction and pace of growth.
I do not agree with you
Yet, we are all too happy to insulate ourselves from a different opinion or perspective, often to avoid conflict. Even though a dispute can sometimes be complicated, it is part of a healthy relationship.
More and more, we associate ‘I disagree with you’ with unfriendly, angry or even rude behaviour. In discussions, we are no longer open to what the other person says and try to prove ourselves right. We forget that the outcome of a constructive argument is not ‘I am right’, but ‘You made me think’.
Dealing with discomfort
Discomfort is not an enemy, but a teacher who helps us to grow and become stronger. We discover new possibilities and broaden our horizons by getting ourselves into uncomfortable situations rather than walking away. And the more often you seek out that feeling of uneasiness and awkwardness, the easier it becomes.
So, when someone comes to you with a different opinion or a radical idea, embrace it and see it as the path to change and (personal) growth.
This article was originally published in Dutch on CHRO.nl – the platform for HR executives.
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