Innovation by Argumentation

I’m hard-pressed to think of any professional work where innovation doesn’t matter. If you develop products, offer services, or any combination thereof, it’s important to work on consistently improving and evolving. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

At the same time, many workplaces, including my own, have a culture of respect that can sometimes limit our ability to debate with one another. That can be a hindrance because argument is actually a good method for creativity. Check out this article about why and how:

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669329/dont-brainstorm-argue

One comment on the article points out that argument really takes place post-brainstorm, when some ideas have been generated to discuss. That’s a valid point. What I like about this article is that it sets ground rules for productive argument. I’m particularly fond of “no, because . . .” (and while it’s not mentioned in this article, its sister phrase “yes, and . . . “).

How do you think you do with arguing? I feel like I’ve been able to have respectful disagreements with some people at work and the end product has been better for it–do you feel the same? What can we do better to a) voice disagreement and b) use those differing opinions productively?