Continuing the Quintessence Series: The Power of Facing the Undiscussable in Quintessential Organisations

Welcome back to the Quintessence Series, where we journey through the complex yet invigorating landscape of memes that define Quintessential organisations. In this third installment, we’re digging into a meme that many organisations shy away from: the undiscussable topics. While awkward or contentious topics often get swept under the rug, quintessential organisations understand that these are often the most important subjects to address.

[You may also like to read the first and second posts in this series.]

Chapter Excerpt: The Quintessential Stance on Undiscussables

Navigating Taboos for Organisational Effectiveness

Quintessential organisations hold nothing back when it comes to open discussion. Every topic, even the most uncomfortable or contentious, is up for debate. This isn’t just about radical transparency; it’s about a radical curiosity and a belief that it’s only through confronting the awkward and difficult that organisations can truly grow.

“What distinguishes exemplary boards is that they are robust, effective social systems … The highest performing companies have extremely contentious boards that regard dissent as an obligation and that treat no subject as undiscussable.”
— JEFFREY SONNENFELD

The quintessential organisation adopts these perspectives on undiscussables:

• Undiscussable topics are like ticking time bombs; it’s better to defuse them early.
• Striving for a culture where uncomfortable topics are brought into the open, and members support each other in these difficult conversations.
• Recognising that if a topic is uncomfortable, it’s often because it’s significant.
• Fostering an environment where everyone is aware of the trap of taboo topics and actively works to keep such topics to a minimum.

Further Reading

Schachter, H. (2019, November 9). It’s Finally Time to Discuss the Undiscussables of the Workplace. Controllers On Call. Retrieved June 1, 2021, from Controllers On Call.
Noonan, W.R. (2007). Discussing the Undiscussable: A Guide to Overcoming Defensive Routines in the Workplace. Jossey-Bass.
Sonnenfeld, J. (2002). What Makes Great Boards Great. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: Harvard Business Review.

Summary

In quintessential organisations, the undiscussable isn’t just a topic for polite dinner conversation; it’s a challenge to be met head-on. No subject is off-limits, and the commitment to open discussion keeps the organisational culture fluid, dynamic, and adaptable.

Stay tuned for more insights in our Quintessence Series. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Think Different blog for regular updates.

Further Reading

Marshall, R.W. (2021). Quintessence: An Acme for Software Development Organisations. [online] leanpub.com. Falling Blossoms (LeanPub). Available at: https://leanpub.com/quintessence/ [Accessed 4 September 2023].