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In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha take on a leadership game-changer: how to transform dissent from a workplace disruption into a strategic driver of progress. The hosts explore why embracing rebels and fostering a culture of constructive dissent is critical for organizations to innovate, adapt, and thrive. Spoiler: it all starts with empowering middle managers.

• Why dissent matters: Avoiding stagnation and fostering innovation hinges on inviting diverse perspectives.
• Middle managers as changemakers: How training them early in psychological safety and facilitation skills creates a pipeline of inclusive leaders.
• Lessons from Gallipoli: What leadership in the trenches teaches us about empowering those on the front lines.
• Insights from Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets: How probabilistic thinking encourages smarter decision-making and healthier debates.
• Toxic cultures and short-term thinking: Why silencing dissent is a recipe for failure—and how to flip the narrative to prioritize long-term success.

The conversation also highlights the real-world challenges of creating a culture of dissent and why middle managers hold the key to breaking echo chambers and driving organizational innovation.

• Into All Problem Solving, A Little Dissent Must Fall – McKinsey
• Gallipoli (1981) – A gripping exploration of leadership and front-line decision-making during WWI.
• Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke – A guide to decision-making under uncertainty.
• Industry – HBO’s intense look at the pressures of toxic, high-stakes workplaces.

Link to Show Notes

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at elephant@thefearlesspx.com

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  

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🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, em...