My manager seems to think that one of my colleagues is negative and a disturbance at meetings simply because he often disagrees with other team members. I feel our manager is not welcoming challenge and is discouraging diverse views. Should I say something?
Yes. Your manager should allow team members to express differing opinions and perspectives. We want to encourage the respectful expression of new ideas and opinions. So, supporting your colleague is appropriate and, if trying to do so within your team is ineffective, consult with your manager’s manager or the HR team.