Arguing gets a bad reputation at work, but not arguing is even worse. In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin unpack why arguing—which can be productive—isn’t the problem, fighting—which is never productive and is sometimes harmful—is. From boardrooms to break rooms, learning to disagree without derailing a conversation is one of the most valuable and underrated leadership skills.
Cindi and Geoff explore the surprising science behind healthy disagreement, they talk about why groups that avoid conflict underperform, and they describe how to build teams that can handle tough conversations without damaging relationships.
Whether you’re leading a team or just navigating the politics of office life, this episode will teach you how to argue productively and keep conversations on track even when the discussion gets uncomfortable.
Episode Highlights:
- Why arguing isn’t a problem
- The difference between arguing and fighting
- How psychological safety supports healthy disagreement
- Why high-performing teams don’t avoid conflict
- Tools for keeping difficult conversations constructive
- What to do when emotions start to take over
- How to test solutions, remedies, and experiments without raising the stakes
Watch This Episode on YouTube:
Join Our Community & Follow Us: