Hello Norm
A good synopsis with some important reflections as it relates to leadership even though the passage does not make it necessarily clear and obvious what the leadership lesson could be. When discussing “constructive controversy” as a leader skillset, I believe you accurately described what I have personally learned in terms of knowing when to introduce or remove a state of tension between two individuals, or in a group. You mentioned the release of energy, generation of good will and depth, which can be accomplished through discussion as part of this tension (like that experienced in marriage), which indeed, keeps the soil of growth churning with fresh nutrients (ideas). The sense of well-being or happiness has such a broad range of expression, that it the context of my own personal leadership, happiness exists within the pursuit of happiness. In other words, if my influence somehow manifests happiness in others, especially in the context of goal achievement or personal growth, it validates my own sense of meaning and satisfaction within this pursuit. Our group meetings typically enjoy this tension, with deliberate checks on each other’s’ biases and respectful challenge of opinions leaving everyone with elevated spirits from enjoying a stake in the decision-making process.
Matt