How good is your organization at having healthy arguments? If you're like most companies, the answer is probably not that great. And that's probably a bad thing.

I've worked with dozens of leadership teams to define their company purpose, vision, mission, organizational strategies, and more. And almost all of them were bad at having healthy arguments. Much more common was bullying behavior and passive-aggressive stabs at the other executives, especially after key meetings instead of during them.

I believe healthy arguments start with a healthy executive culture, where executives feel free to express their honest opinions without punishment. Wait. Shouldn't executives already feel free to express their ideas? Yes. But too many company cultures allow executive cliques, or a CEO plays favorites and has "untouchables" who can do no wrong even as they torch the business.

In a healthy executive culture, executives have the freedom to express their ideas and are encouraged to challenge norms. They must have protection from the cliquish trolls. They must be encouraged, to a person, to bring something new to the table and argue for and against the merits of the ideas.

It takes time and patience, and it takes courage from the C-suite. But building a culture where healthy arguments can take place can positively change the trajectory of any company.

If you need help with organizational health and strategy, let's talk.

Want more resources? Check out this MIT Sloan article