“If we all are in agreement on the decision – then I propose we postpone further discussion on this matter until our next meeting to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about.”
- Alfred P. Sloan (1875 – 1966), longtime CEO of General Motors and one of America’s brightest foundational business mind
Nine guys met this morning at Ed’s house on the topic of unity. Then, I found this Sloan quote that I wish I could have remembered while discussing unity.
Unity ain’t about being exactly alike and building concrete walls around groupthink.
Unity is about the big thing, and all the small things that lead us to the big thing are up for debate. And the debate is important. We need to develop disagreement.
The then-six-year-old daughter of a colleague once said. “Daddy, great minds don’t think alike. I think great minds think different, and that’s what makes them great.” She evidently could have run GM in its hayday!
Let’s promote disparate thought. Let’s encourage productive discourse. Let’s switch roles and argue the other side’s point to ratify or blow up our own.
Unity = win the game. Unity pertains to strategy. Disparity is important in assuring we get the most from our unity.
Final note: The things we’re unified on are sacred. We. Are. Unified. How we get to them, that’s where our different experiences, ideas, perspectives and approaches pay off.
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