Hi John,

Numerous studies have been conducted on social pressure and conformity, most notably those by Stanley Milgram. These studies suggest that few, it seems, are willing to speak up against a majority. But what if the majority advocates for open disagreement?

Kerry Patterson muses in this article from 2005.

“He’s here!” someone shouted as I walked across campus.

Solomon Asch, the renowned social scientist, was going to give a speech. Excited about the prospect of listening to one of the true pioneers of the field, I skipped class for a chance to hear what he had to say. Ray Price, a fellow doctoral student at Stanford, arranged for a babysitter so he could attend. Another student called in late for his lab job. People all around campus and across disciplines dropped whatever they were doing and, like groupies hearing about an impromptu sighting of a rock star, they all rushed to hear from the master.

In this thirty-minute podcast, Joseph Grenny, coauthor of Crucial Conversations, cofounder of Crucial Learning, and board chair of Unitas Labs and The Other Side Academy, talks with Dr. Brian Perkins, associate professor of practice in education leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Join us live online and learn how to:

• Resolve conflict.
• Speak your mind truthfully and tactfully.
• Reach alignment when stakes are high and opinions vary.
• Navigate the most important interactions at home and work.