Do we surround ourselves with Yes Men and Women? Good ideas come from anywhere. Consensus and groupthink don't necessarily produce better decisions.
Abraham Lincoln assembled a "Team of Rivals" in his cabinet with Salmon Chase (Treasury), Edward Bates (Attorney General), and William Seward (State). Lincoln knew that his limited experience for "a nation in peril" required more expertise and differing opinions. Even while Chase undermines him, seeking the 1864 presidency, Lincoln keeps him on board for his skill at Treasury.
Lincoln wasn't alone in embracing dissent. During a key White House meeting in 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt sought opinions about favoring strong air power buildup leading up to American entry in World War II. Young General George C. Marshall strongly disagreed; Roosevelt appointed him several months later as Army Chief of Staff. Marshall took the difficult but important stance of speaking truth to power.
Dissent matters in business, too. Legendary General Motors Chairman Alfred P. Sloan valued a difference of opinion.
The Department of State has an official Dissent Channel, founded in 1971 in response to the Vietnam War. "The secretary of state is obliged to read and respond to all Dissent Channel messages within 90 days. To this day, the Dissent Channel has no parallel in other agencies of the federal government. It is a unique experiment in the management of bureaucratic dissent."
Only years later was the full extent of Vietnam Era deception by our government and the Pentagon revealed in the Pentagon Papers.
The concept that dissent is treason and consensus is strength lacks a reasonable foundation.
Muhammad Ali's conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War won him few friends. How do athletes decide whether to follow their hearts or toe the line?
Dick Fosbury's coaches didn't favor the introduction of a revolutionary change in high jump technique. All the Fosbury Flop achieved was a paradigm shift in high jumping and Olympic Gold in 1968.
When Drew Bledsoe sustained serious injury during the 2001 season, Bill Belichick installed Tom Brady as his replacement. Despite differences of opinion within the team, when Bledsoe healed, Brady stayed as signal-caller. The rest is history.
Trailing 2-1 during the 2015 NBA Finals, Golden State videographer Nick U'Ren suggested to Steve Kerr that the Warriors 'go small' with Andre Iguodala replacing Andrew Bogut. "The Warriors stayed the course and surged past the Cavs by utilizing a faster pace and more spread-out offense. The smaller lineup generated 12 3-pointers, 11 fast-break points and 19 made free throws. Iguodala also forced James into another challenging offensive night that included 20 points on 7-of-22 shooting." The Warriors won the series.
Dissent often creates hate and discontent, especially directed at protesting athletes. Celebrating free speech while condemning dissent seems archetypically American.
Dissent discussions surround the NBA, including most recently how NBA personalities view the freedom debate in Hong Kong. For the most part, the Association distances itself from issues that impact their business.
Dissent shapes our past, present, and future. Although one 'decider' forms policy and owns accountability, input from others with more expertise, experience, and emotional intelligence often defines destiny.