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Whenever people come together to consider an important issue, conflict is inevitable. But conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. In fact, the best decisions are usually those that emerge from productive conflict.⁴ In productive conflict, group members clarify questions, challenge ideas, present counterexamples, consider worst-case scenarios, and reformulate proposals. Productive conflict centers disagreements around issues rather than personalities. In person-based conflict, members argue with one another instead of about the issues, wasting time and impairing motivation; issues-based conflict allows members to test and debate ideas and potential solutions. It requires each member to ask tough questions, press for clarification, and present alternative views.⁵