A crew that argues about the formation is a crew that cares. Your job is to end the argument, not the caring.

LEADERSHIP

WHAT THIS MEANS

Arguments about the work are a sign of investment, and a silent group is usually the worse problem. The skill is closing the question without making anybody feel foolish for raising it, so the next disagreement still gets voiced. Shutting the whole thing down works once and costs you everything that would have been said later. You want the decision made and the energy left intact.

When your group disagrees this week, let it run briefly, then decide and say why. Thank the person whose objection you overruled. Check that the loudest voice was not the only one heard.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

Could you settle a disagreement without flattening the people in it?

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