Episode 22: The Psychology of Disagreement with Julia Minson

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Julia Minson, a Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and a leading decision scientist. Dr. Minson's research addresses the psychology of disagreement—how and why we engage with views that conflict with our own. She shares data-driven insights and practical tools, including the HEAR Framework, to move past negative conflict and harness the incredible value found in diverse perspectives.

Discover how to transform disagreements into opportunities for learning, better decision-making, and stronger professional relationships.

Key Insights from This Episode:
The difference between Disagreement and Conflict: Why disagreement is valuable and how it devolves into destructive conflict.

The Core Problem in Conversation: We spend far too much time conveying our own information and not enough time seeking to understand the other person's perspective.

The "Unrealistic" Goal: Why persuading someone in a single conversation is rarely a realistic or productive objective.

Alternative, Productive Goals: How to shift your intent from persuasion to learning, strengthening a relationship, or showcasing your competence.

The Power of Acknowledgment: Learning the language to make your counterpart genuinely feel heard, which is critical for turning a destructive argument into a constructive conversation.

The HEAR Framework: A four-step technique for conversational receptiveness, designed to build trust and maintain a positive exchange even when making your own point.

The Vulnerability of Leadership: Why expressing curiosity and receptiveness makes you appear more competent, not less, and helps you become a more effective leader.

Episode Timestamps – “Stand Up To Stand Out”
(00:00) Intro
(00:27) Dr. Julia Minson introduction
(01:54) The universal nature of disagreement
(02:50) Defining disagreement vs. conflict
(05:54) Why persuasion is often the wrong goal
(08:35) The power dynamic in conversations
(10:45) Shifting the balance of time from conveying to seeking information
(13:16) The value of considering context and setting ground rules
(15:10) Intent vs. Perception: Power dynamics in the workplace
(18:24) The importance of questioning your own assumptions
(21:04) The need for safe forums for disagreement
(23:17) Thinking about the goals of disagreement (persuasion, learning, relationship building)
(26:30) Why seeking information (curiosity) is critical
(29:33) The paradox of genuine curiosity
(31:38) The HEAR framework for conversational receptiveness
(33:16) H: Hedging (softening your language)
(34:39) E: Emphasizing agreement
(35:28) A: Acknowledgment (showing you heard their point)
(37:25) R: Reframing (using positive language)
(40:17) The connection between vulnerability and competent leadership
(43:20) Why the skills of disagreement are critical for a complex world
(45:00) Details on the book, How to Disagree Better

Catch More From Our Guest – Dr. Julia Minson
‍ Dr. Julia Minson is a Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, a decision scientist, and the founder of Disagreeing Better LLC.

Book: How to Disagree Better (Available March 2026) LinkedIn: Julia Minson Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=julieminson.com

Catch More From Our Host – Stuart Paap
️ Host of Stand Up to Stand Out, a podcast dedicated to empowering life sciences professionals to turn ideas into reality through insightful conversations on leadership, communication, and influence.

LinkedIn: Stuart Paap
Website: dnate.com

Disclaimer:
The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the host or this channel. This content is for entertainment and informational purpose...