Healthy Conflict Makes for Better Companies

Steve Cody, veteran public relations and strategic communications strategist and founder of Peppercomm, shares the story of a dramatic “business divorce” with his longtime partner that nearly destroyed the company they built together. Just as a major acquisition was about to close, a last-minute disagreement over the future of the firm blew everything apart. The fallout compelled Cody to rebuild the company from the ground up with a smaller team and a renewed sense of vulnerability. In the process, he learned the importance of inviting dissent and creating a culture where disagreement is safe and constructive. What began as a devastating split ultimately became the catalyst for success and a different model of business leadership.

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