Beyond Agreeing: How Culture, Conflict and Values shape Collaboration (#34)

In this episode, we talk with Michael Brown, author of I Don’t Agree, about what happens when values, culture and conflict meet in real life – from a London soup kitchen to boardrooms and start-ups.Michael shares how his volunteer work at a soup kitchen led to a mental health drop-in model and what he has learned about teamwork, dignity and long-term collaboration with people on the margins. We explore the tension between individualism and collectivism, how cultural backgrounds shape the way we communicate and disagree, and why “winning” an argument can quietly destroy relationships and projects.Together we look at how to navigate criticism, conflict and strong egos in teams, why negotiations should be seen as the beginning of a partnership, and how personal rituals and self-awareness can help us show up more constructively – whether in social projects, climate work or creative industries.In this episode, we discuss:- What a soup kitchen can teach us about mental health, trust and teamwork- How individualism and collectivism shape communication, conflict and leadership- Why many promising projects and start-ups fail because of unresolved tensions, not bad ideas- The role of values, preparation and self-management in negotiations and feedback- How to create more “win–win” outcomes and less silent resentment- The power of small rituals to step out of ego and into real collaborationListen in if you are working in social impact, climate, multicultural teams or simply want to handle disagreement with more clarity, empathy and impact.For more on us and our work, visit www.findingsustainia.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.