Arguing gets a bad rap.

Article by PDG Karen Purdue, Assistant Rotary Coordinator

Arguing gets a bad rap.

What’s that about? It’s one of my favourite things to do, although I prefer to call it “diverse thinking out loud!”

If you’ve ever worked in policy or law, you’ll know that an argument is a perfectly neutral and acceptable term for engaging with an idea. So why do we fear them do you think?

Which brings me to Rotary!

Sometimes, I feel that raising a different perspective or opinion is not always welcomed!

Have you ever felt like that in Rotary?

Here’s the thing though:

If we want good strategy and real progress, (like growing and sustaining our membership base) then my thoughts are we need to welcome disagreement!

The idea that we can get a room full of smart, caring, dedicated Rotarians, who think differently, do things differently and have different ideas, to agree on everything is silly don’t you think? – and undesirable I suggest!

If our ideas go untested and everyone seems to agree, this in my view, is a bad sign.

It either means:
a) we’re missing something
b) we have zero diversity in the room, or
c) people are having ‘half conversations’ and not contributing openly. 

💡 Light Bulb Moment:

We don’t have to agree with a decision or way forward to be aligned with a common goal or purpose.

Alignment is not agreement – it’s productive disagreement to enable consensus.

With productive disagreement, we expose the different perspectives we’re grappling with and put them on the table.

Because we can’t work with what we can’t see.

We don’t need to resolve all our differences, but we do need to know where the grey areas are and agree how we manage them.

For example, when it comes to talking about change in your Rotary club or putting a strategic plan together, it is important to hear everyone’s thoughts and opinions.

Do so, knowing that discussion will never generate 100% agreement. However, getting to a place of alignment is the next best thing.

It indicates buy-in, understanding, and a commitment to move forward on the chosen path.

It also means your members understand your goals and purpose and are agreeing that working towards meeting those is best for everyone.

Does your club know how to productively disagree? Give it a go!!

The real challenge here is not to solve all disagreements... but to actually learn a bigger perspective through disagreements.    Buster Benson, episode 591. How to be Awesome at your Job.