From Mark Edmunson's article on Sigmund Freud in today's New York Times Magazine:
"...the inner tensions that we experience are by and large necessary tensions, not because they are so enjoyable in themselves - they are not - but because the alternatives are so much worse. ... a healthy psyche is not always a psyche that feels good...... a healthy body politic is one that allows for a good deal of continuing tension. A healthy polis is one that it doesn't always feel good to be a part of."
A healthy challenge culture doesn't always feel good to be a part of either. No one typically enjoys being told - however respecfully and kindly - that their idea or view might be incomplete or incorrect. Emporers like to be told that they are wearing clothes.
Some will even go to dangerous extremes to avoid feedback and challenge (see Karen Horney's Neurosis and Human Growth for a fascinating insight into the "Imposter Syndrome").
Like the story of the blind men and the elephant, each of us is a finite mortal with a miniscule piece of an infinite puzzle. No one has a lock on the Truth. As healthy participants in a challenge culture we recognize this and bring a personal commitment - a passion - to a discovery process that requires everything that everyone on the team has to offer. We're willing to be wrong. We're respectful of others' views and ideas. We're all about reality - no matter how uncomfortable it makes us feel, because we know it leads to better things, new discoveries and more value in the future.
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