Conflict Drives Better Innovation

To improve the quality and speed of innovation you want to get more conflict into the discussion. There are three steps to do this.

• Increase the diversity of the team. You want a collective of thought processes that drive different approaches and solutions to the problem.
• Make it safe to disagree and give them a new language that fosters innovation and gives them a common language thereby breaking down historical silos and corporate speak.
• Make it important to find the best solution by giving them an emotional stake in the game

Brett Richards is a specialist in thinking, group dynamics, and emotional capabilities. He teaches teams how to think deeper and collaborate better and faster through what he calls Creative Abrasion.
The term ‘creative abrasion’ was originally coined by Jerry Hirshberg, founder and president of Nissan Design International (NDI)
Think of it as the grain of sand inside an oyster. The oyster is so bothered by the unpleasant abrasive effect of the sand inside its smooth shell, that it works on the sand to smooth its rough edges and coat it with essence of pearl. The result - A beautiful, valuable pearl.
It takes courage and skill to manage creative abrasion. You need the vision to be able to see past the discomfort of temporary conflict to the potential benefits and not try to reduce the conflict yet not allow it to get personal. You need to be able to reassure the individuals involved that their conflicting viewpoints are equally valued and critical to the process and that they are safe to express them freely. His theory flies in the face of most rules of better team dynamics and cooperation and as a result fosters better ideas.
Hear it in his own words

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