feature
Ideas from different sources are like extra pieces of a puzzle. A greater number of
them can help create a clearer big picture.
“A leader presented with more diverse and even dissenting perspectives can
make a more informed decision. If you don’t know what you don’t know, you
may miss something,” said Flatt. Contrarian ideas might just help a leader locate
a blind spot, or two.
For employees, there’s a direct link between the freedom and safety
to express dissenting ideas and their connectedness to work and the
organization.
“When employees are able to speak openly and share differing
opinions, it contributes to their sense of purpose and the
contributions they feel they can offer the organization,”
said Papa. “Positive dissent is analogous to empowerment
and engagement.”
ROOM FOR GROWTH
Plenty of organizations may believe they
encourage positive dissent. The numbers,
however, paint a different picture.
Nadin3d/Shutterstock.com
EMPLOYEES, AFTER ALL, PAY
MUCH MORE ATTENTION TO
CULTURE THAN TO POLICY.
Continued on page 35
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ FEBRUARY 2016 ❚ 33