How Constructive Dissent Can Unlock Your Team’s Innovation

by Timothy R. Clark, Alistair Aitchison and Paul Terry

February 12, 2025

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Summary.

Diverse teams hold diverse perspectives. That’s a given. But are they willing to share those perspectives? We often observe highly diverse teams exhibiting patterns of dutiful compliance and stifling groupthink.

Timothy R. Clark is an Oxford-trained social scientist and founder and CEO of LeaderFactor, a global leadership consulting and training firm. He works with CEOs and their teams, helping them achieve data-driven cultural transformation and is the developer of the EQindex emotional intelligence assessment. His most recent book is The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety: Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation (Berrett-Koehler 2020).

Alistair Aitchison is a senior partner at LeaderFactor and is based in Oxfordshire, UK. He is a facilitator, coach, and consultant, advising senior leaders in the areas of organizational and cultural transformation, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and strategic agility. He holds an MSc from Edinburgh University and an MBA from the Marriott School of Business at BYU.

Paul Terry is a senior partner at LeaderFactor and is based in Boise, Idaho. He advises senior leaders in the areas of succession planning, career growth, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and strategic agility. He also designs competency models and coaches executives in the technology sector. He holds an MBA from the Marriott School of Business at BYU.

Read more on Innovation or related topics Collaboration and teams, Cross-functional management and Motivating people

How Constructive Dissent Can Unlock Your Team’s Innovation

Summary.

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