Strong opinions, weakly held

We have two core values that speak to openness and communication within the team;

‘To foster open discussion and provide candid feedback on ideas regardless of job role or seniority’ & ‘To be concise and articulate whilst also listening to each other’s perspectives to seek understanding on a given topic’.

We’ve always been a team of condensed hierarchy. New people joining the team have as much input as more senior people. Everyone discussed their thoughts and the best idea wins.

There’s a dichotomy I’ve noticed between having a good idea and how you communicate that idea. I’ve always been strong headed in my beliefs. A quote from Paul Saffo, technology forecaster and Stanford University professor, resonates strongly with me: “Have strong opinions, but weakly held”.

Throughout my career I’ve caused friction by having a strong opinion. When you’re wearing many masks its hard for people to differentiate who is speaking.

Some people on the team struggle to articulate themselves succinctly in real-time, but people listen. We try not to interrupt. We let other’s speak if it felt like we interrupted a pause they were taking.

When in design discussions, when you have to get into the weeds and cause some tension, I don’t believe work with a clear direction can successfully exist without people arguing for a clear direction (this includes the whole team not just an individual), it can cause offense.

Especially when you abdicate from a role. You have to remove your ego and know that someone more specialised for that role will have a better idea.

When that situation arises, you need to remind yourself of the mission. Why did you put this person in that role. Hold to your core values and know you’re working for the thing that’s bigger than yourself and you’re showing up to do the work for the team, not yourself.

I’ve caused offense and friction from doing this the wrong way, you have to tread the line and hold true to your core values. Even remind yourself on a cyclical basis.

You can’t be precious but you have to be clear and have strong ideas you articulate clearly, but when someone inevitably comes up with a better idea, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the mission, you have to loosen your strong belief and align with theirs to move the project forward.