How do companies build collaborative cultures? What lies behind some of the greatest scientific and creative breakthroughs? The surprising answer is: conflict.

Insight and empathy spring from the clash of different perspectives. In a world where it’s easier than ever for people to share their opinions, we should be reaping the benefits of diverse views. Instead, we too often find ourselves mired in hostility or – worse – avoiding disagreement altogether.

Drawing upon valuable lessons from the cutting edge of communication science, journalist and strategist Ian Leslie argues that this is because most of us never learn how to air our differences in a way that leads to progress.

Ian has discovered how to disagree well from world-class experts: interrogators, hostage negotiators, divorce mediators, diplomats and addiction counsellors.

From the invention of the aeroplane to the success of The Rolling Stones, he will share stories of productive disagreements, and combine them with fascinating insights from the science of human communication.

Whether it’s at work, at home, or in public, confronting our differences is the only way to make the most of them. This livestream event is a masterclass in doing that successfully.

Praise for Ian Leslie’s Conflicted:

“Conflicted is a fascinating deep dive into disagreement: how it goes wrong, and how it can go right. Its powerful insights are wrapped in gripping stories. Read this book. It could not be more timely.” Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“Invaluable. The world will be a better place if everyone reads this book, and because it’s so entertaining they probably will.” Philippa Perry

“Ian Leslie’s writing is a cool bath of sanity in a world of frenzied hot takes.” – Helen Lewis, author of Difficult Women

‘‘What a brilliant idea . . . to help us engage in dialogue by learning how to disagree. Ian Leslie is a master at this sort of book and it shows here.’’ Daniel Finkelstein, author of Everything in Moderation