In high-performing teams, candour should be a norm, not radical.
In high-performing teams, candour should be a norm, not radical.
There's a popular quote often mistakenly attributed to Sigmund Freud: “The only people impervious to Psychoanalysis are the Irish.” However, it's believed that this saying actually originated from English writer Anthony Burgess in the 1980s. As an Irishman and a qualified psychotherapist, I find a certain pride in the notion that we Irish might be more enigmatic than others. This idea seems to resonate with our cultural spirit of independence and nonconformity.
Ireland is renowned for its gift of gab, a reputation that we have rightly earned. Our poets and artists, like Wilde, Heaney, Bliss & O'Connor, have a unique ability to capture life's ordinary and extraordinary aspects. They articulate profound truths and emotions without directly naming them, inspiring a mixture of joy, indignation, and appreciation for the beauty of language.
This indirect communication is deeply rooted in the culture I was raised in and still live within. However, I also recognize how this approach can be frustrating at times, especially when discussing topics less grand than the future of a nation. The first decade of my career was spent working at Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant. I admired the straightforward communication style of some Northern European countries. But I learned that directness doesn't always equate to the kind of candour that Kim Scott advocates for in effective teamwork.
When I discovered Scott's framework for combining genuine care with direct feedback, it struck a chord with me. My neurodivergent brain, adept at recognizing patterns and easily befuddled by subtleties, understands the need for clear communication. For high-performing teams to truly thrive, especially those benefiting from the diverse talents of a neurodiverse workforce, radical candour needs to become a common practice, not an exception. This is crucial for harnessing the full potential of our diverse talents and perspectives.
How do you do this?
