Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

Most people do not like conflict. I don't blame them. We learn to avoid conflict. People specifically teach us to do so. 

• Play nice in the sandbox.
• Go along to get along.
• Before you criticize, walk a mile in their shoes.

Conflict, though, is essential to improving something.  Improving something starts with a basic premise: There's room for improvement here.  Improvement is a basic, foundational challenge to the status quo. 

But how do you get people, especially new people who are on their best behaviour, to challenge the status quo on something?

Try scheduling it. 

That's just what Lisa Bodell argues you should do in this article.  (HBR.)

Rather than leave it to chance, schedule time with your team to question norms and change the way things are done. Make it clear to them that processes are expected to evolve over time (even the ones you created) and that it’s OK to push back on them. Doing this will create a “safe space” where they can assess whether routine tasks  are worth the effort, and modify them if necessary. It also allows people who might hesitate to raise issues by themselves feel more comfortable doing so in a group.

That's brilliant. Scheduling a meeting like this gives folks the "green light" to question the status quo. Conflict is now expected. If a meeting might not work, you can issue a CFC...a call for critiques.  Some of the best ideas for changing things are likely out there...people just may not be willing to rock the boat. 

I'm curious if any of you have gone down this path?  Did it work? Are there pitfalls to consider?  I'd love to know.

Have a great week, guys.

PS: Lisa Bodell will be the keynote at NAFCU's Strategic Growth conference. You can watch a video of Lisa here.  I'd urge you to watch the video. She gives five quick tips on innovation.  I think you'll like them. And Lisa.

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We still have some seats left for our Technology and Security Conference in Las Vegas.  With the Target issue still  in play, and other breaches expected, it is a great time to gather with other IT and Security experts from our industry.  For more details, go here.  The conference takes place February 11 - 13 in Las Vegas.