Douglas Flora: We have a responsibility to create environments of productive conflict, not conflict for its own sake

Douglas Flora posted the following on LinkedIn:

“This isn’t just a political post (well, maybe a little). Like many of you, I watched the presidential debate last night and left feeling disappointed. It felt more like a battle than a thoughtful exchange of ideas.

But the lessons here aren’t just for politicians sparring on TV—they’re for all of us. Binary thinking—the ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ mentality—closes doors to new ideas. Instead, we need to test our assumptions and be open to changing our minds when the evidence points that way. Are we listening to understand, or just to defend our beliefs?

As leaders, we have a responsibility to create environments of productive conflict, not conflict for its own sake. It’s not about ‘winning’ the argument but finding the best solutions. By protecting our teams from combative dynamics and encouraging open-mindedness, we’re much more likely to arrive at solutions built on respect, curiosity, and collaboration.

As Adam Grant says in Think Again, ‘If knowledge is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom.’ A reminder that it’s okay to admit we don’t have all the answers—what matters is that we stay open to learning and growth.”

Source: Douglas Flora/LinkedIn

Douglas Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning, and the expansion of cancer programs. He is also the co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine; Genomic Health.

As the Editor-in-Chief of ‘AI in Precision Oncology,’ the first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to this field, he plays a pivotal role in advancing research. He is also an active board member of the American Cancer Society and ACCC, where he contributes to advocacy, education, and innovation within the cancer community.