It’s called the Gladiator Strategy. The Swiss CEO of a shoe company stirred his espresso as he tried to convince me of his preferred way of working: “I think a battle of ideas is so important. It helps us fight things out, so the one idea left standing is the absolute best idea.” In Roman times, the best gladiators weren’t necessarily the best athletes or the strongest physical performers but the ones who knew how to entertain the crowds in the way the emperor loved. Whatever, whoever amused the emperor was given the thumbs-­up. The workplace parallel is perhaps obvious: People can “win” internal fights in those boardrooms by arguing for the ideas and perspectives that the boss already loves. So “fighting for the best idea” becomes a public way to endorse and validate the emperor’s —­ er, boss’s —­ opinions. I asked, “You believe that putting people and their ideas under extreme pressure will yield diamonds?” “Yes!” he answered enthusiastically, as if I was finally understanding him. Some coffee spilled.…