The Conflict That Creates Chemistry: A Conversation with Shane Snow (Part Two)

12/11/2025 36 min
The Conflict That Creates Chemistry: A Conversation with Shane Snow (Part Two)

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Episode Synopsis

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Shane Snow – award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of “Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart” – the focus turns from what makes a great team to what makes a team truly high-performing. Shane explores the concept of “cognitive friction” and how constructive conflict, when handled with humility, is a catalyst for innovation rather than a barrier to it.The two also talk about the dangers of groupthink, the myth of culture fit, and why benevolence, not brilliance, is the real foundation of trust. With stories ranging from Steve Jobs’ bathroom placement to Malcolm X’s intellectual transformation, Shane explains how great teams cultivate shared thinking, mutual growth, and meaningful disagreement.. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:What cognitive friction is and why teams need it to innovateHow leaders can separate disagreement from personal conflictWhy “culture fit” is overrated but “culture add” is essentialThe unexpected power of benevolence in building trustMalcolm X’s reinvention and the courage to change your mindHow to proactively guard against groupthinkThe challenges of building high-performing teams in hybrid and remote workWhat the phrase “let’s explore that” can do for your team cultureLinks:Shane’s website - https://www.shanesnow.com/Shane’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedsnow/Shane’s book, “Dream Teams” - https://amzn.to/4qz7M4f

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