Thanksgiving - An Opportunity for Spirited Debate

Kimberly Douglas • November 5, 2025

“The absence of conflict is not harmony, it’s apathy.” - Adam Grant  


Greetings!

As the Thanksgiving holidays are approaching and you envision friends and family gathering and conversing around this festive table, do you feel excitement or dread? Is the tension so high you could cut it with a knife?


Especially in these challenging times with strong viewpoints on all sides, it can be a good idea to reframe and ward off potentially heated and negative exchanges by following a few simple guidelines.


Here are the top ones I personally find most helpful and share all the time with my team effectiveness clients wanting to improve their capacity for productive conflict...or as Adam Grant labeled it, "Spirited Debate". Just in case you also might find it helpful to refer to in the coming weeks, here is a link that will take you to my handout.

  • Take on the "Mindset of a Scientist. Doubt what you know. Be curious about what you don't know. If someone says something you disagree with, ask "Can we debate that?" instead of "pushing back" which can come across as argumentative.


  • Be "Actively Open-minded". See yourself as someone who values curiosity and learning. Search for reasons you might be wrong...not for reasons you must be right.


  • Embrace the "Joy of Being Wrong". When you find you've made a mistake, take it as a sign you've just discovered something new. Focus less on proving yourself...and more on improving yourself.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving,


Kimberly


P.S. If you find this information of value, I invite you to share this newsletter with your teammates and colleagues...and maybe even your friends and family!

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