Disruption with a Cause - The Leadership Skill of Harnessing Dissent

The Elephant in the Org

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In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha take on a leadership game-changer: how to transform dissent from a workplace disruption into a strategic driver of progress. The hosts explore why embracing rebels and fostering a culture of constructive dissent is critical for organizations to innovate, adapt, and thrive. Spoiler: it all starts with empowering middle managers.

• Why dissent matters: Avoiding stagnation and fostering innovation hinges on inviting diverse perspectives.
• Middle managers as changemakers: How training them early in psychological safety and facilitation skills creates a pipeline of inclusive leaders.
• Lessons from Gallipoli: What leadership in the trenches teaches us about empowering those on the front lines.
• Insights from Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets: How probabilistic thinking encourages smarter decision-making and healthier debates.
• Toxic cultures and short-term thinking: Why silencing dissent is a recipe for failure—and how to flip the narrative to prioritize long-term success.

The conversation also highlights the real-world challenges of creating a culture of dissent and why middle managers hold the key to breaking echo chambers and driving organizational innovation.

• Into All Problem Solving, A Little Dissent Must Fall – McKinsey
• Gallipoli (1981) – A gripping exploration of leadership and front-line decision-making during WWI.
• Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke – A guide to decision-making under uncertainty.
• Industry – HBO’s intense look at the pressures of toxic, high-stakes workplaces.

Link to Show Notes

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• You can find all episodes of The Elephant in the Org here.

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From April 2024, all new episodes of The Elephant In the Org will be posted bi-weekly.

Music Credits:
Opening and closing theme by The Toros.

Production Credits:
Produced by The Fearless PX, Edited by Marion Anderson.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are exclusively those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations’ official policy or position.