HBR IdeaCast A Debate Champion on How to Have More Productive Disagreements at Work
24 snips
Jun 21, 2022 
Bo Seo, a two-time world champion debater and author of "Good Arguments," shares his insights on transforming workplace disagreements into productive discussions. He emphasizes the importance of constructive debate for better outcomes, advocating for tools like the RISA checklist. Seo introduces techniques like the 'Four W's' for structuring arguments and highlights the need for role-playing opposing views to enhance engagement. Ultimately, he encourages fostering a culture of debate to improve team collaboration and communication.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bo Seo's Journey to Debate
- Bo Seo's difficulty adapting to English conversations, especially disagreements, led him to be agreeable.
- Joining the debate team provided structure and a chance to speak uninterrupted, sparking his debating journey.
Productive Disagreements
- Disagreements are inherent in white-collar work and the focus should be on making them productive.
- This involves ensuring employees feel valued, checking biases, and fostering a sense of team unity.
RISA Checklist
- Use the RISA checklist (Real, Important, Specific, Aligned) to determine if a disagreement is worth having.
- This helps focus energy on productive disagreements and avoid unproductive conflicts.
