Slightly Off KIlter

If it weren’t for a lot of arguing, one of the great partnerships in American history might never have gotten off the ground.

One hundred years ago this month, Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the first airplane. One key reason for their success, according to Mark Eppler’s book The Wright Way: 7 Problem-Solving Principles from the Wright Brothers That Can Make Your Business Soar, is that they were able to argue constructively.

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The brothers listened closely, thinking about how the other person’s comments could lead to fresh ideas, and they were open to changing their attitudes.

[c.f. Dialogue can lead to lift-off, Dec. 13, 2003, Dave Murphy, S F Chronicle columnist

Do you argue constructively? At home and at work?

Do you argue at work? Or do you allow your “boss to make the decisions and simply go along with them?

It’s obvious the Wright brothers were a great team, and bosses should keep that in mind when they use the phrase “team player” as a euphemism for someone who shuts up and follows orders.

To be your best, you need diverse points of view, and that won’t happen if people are cowed into silence. People need to learn how to argue effectively, as the Wright brothers obviously did, but the company will lose if their suggestions are ignored or steamrolled so often that they stop raising them.