How to significantly raise the probability of a better outcome?

Clayton Christensen’s Disruption theory led to the creation of billions of dollars of revenue and hundreds of companies. Before his death in January at 67, Christensen shared how he refined his thinking.

What struck with me the most was Clayton’s answer when asked “Are you ever “done” refining your theories? “ He said,

“My goal has never been to be right but to find the right answer.”

I understood what got him to greatness. He welcomed challenges to his own theories and thinking. He had a sign at his office at Harvard Business School that read “Anomalies wanted.”

Ray Dalio, legendary investor, founder of Bridgewater Associates and author of one of the most invaluable leadership books entitled Principles, echoes a similar thought. He talks about the importance of building a team that is comfortable with conflict and challenging each other and cautions against the danger of surrounding ourselves with “YES” people who echo what we want to hear.

Here is how we can apply their wisdom when building great teams, products or services:

1. Encourage diverse thoughts – Have people who are competent, those who can challenge your thinking, your closely-held assumptions, and beliefs. Warren Bennis says “Exemplary leaders reward dissent. They encourage it. They understand that, whatever momentary discomfort they experience as a result of being told they might be wrong, it is more than offset by the fact that the information will help them make better decisions.”
2. Let go of ego – Willing to be wrong requires letting go of your unhealthy ego and willing to see what you cannot see at first. Ryan Holiday in his book, Ego is the Enemy says, “Inflated ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of repeating and retaining your success.”
3. Welcome Feedback – Gracefully welcome the feedback. Dalio believes that the greatest tragedy of mankind comes from the inability of people to have thoughtful disagreement to find out what’s true.

When you do this you can significantly raise the probability of the best outcome or decision. Ultimately, your goal to make better decisions and better products, isn’t it?

“Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson