Why you should encourage different opinions in your team

It’s important to encourage your employees to share their opinions – even if they are different from the mainstream view

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Robert Half

Having a range of differing opinions within teams is crucial for problem-solving as thinking from a varied groups of employees who come from a range of backgrounds can reduce risks by 30%, and improve innovation by 20%. 

When each member of your team is on the same page, you run the risk of creating a stale environment; in order to push boundaries a wider range of opinions are needed –  and this is especially true of tasks which involve creative problem-solving, innovation and collaboration. Research has shown that teams which have diverse work approaches make decisions up to 60% faster. It has also been shown to increase retention – employees who feel that their contributions are meaningful and rewarding are far more likely to be happy at work.

However, it can take a huge amount of courage to speak up in a meeting, and it is the responsibility of leadership teams to create an environment that champions the productive sharing of different viewpoints. You should strive to establish a culture of acceptance and creativity within your teams; employees should feel that they can share ideas, regardless of what they might be, without fear of ridicule from co-workers or authority figures.  

This culture of contribution and collaboration should be led by example, starting right at the top. Instead of shutting down ‘bad’ ideas, remain encouraging and actively create opportunities for staff to learn to assess future contributions.