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Leadership Tip of the Month

August 2001

Copyright 2001 ã weLEAD, Inc.

Beware of “Groupthink”

Often times when I am driving a car I look ahead and view into the back window of the vehicle ahead of me. Sometimes I see a small statue or figure looking out the rear window back at me. It is typically the small statue of an animal, athlete or entertainer. The head of the statue is attached to a spring and because of road vibration the head of the figure is constantly nodding up and down. It reminds me of the problem with “groupthink”!

Groupthink is the tendency of decision makers to join together around a policy or person without questioning basic assumptions. An emotional bond of conformity can cause the group to filter out rational information that may question a policy or decision. Groupthink can also cause a group of decision makers to rationalize a poor decision after-the-fact. Many poor decisions and faulty strategic planning are a result of groupthink. Discord and conflict among individuals is one major pitfall among decision makers. Groupthink is the major pitfall on the other side of the pendulum. Group cohesiveness is a good quality and something we should all strive for, but groupthink takes this cohesiveness to the extreme.

Groupthink can happen in any environment, but it often happens following a period of success. The decision-makers become comfortable with each other and self-congratulatory. Since recent success has been achieved, they falsely assume two things. First, they tend to think they are primarily responsible for success, when in reality it is those who implemented and managed the changes who deserve most of the credit. Secondly, since the group bonds emotionally, they think their decisions are naturally best when in reality they have become arrogant and self-serving. This leads the group to ignore or filter out any facts or information that doesn’t fit into their basic assumptions. Anyone who questions their assumptions or decisions is not considered a “team player”. Finally, when their poor decisions begin to have negative consequences due to groupthink, they go on a crusade to blame others. Here is what Gary Yukl warns about groupthink in his book, Leadership In Organizations…

“Members develop an illusion of invulnerability, which is supported by an unfavorable view of outsiders. Critics, opponents and competitors are ridiculed and not given serious consideration. As a result the group is likely to overestimate the probability of success for a risky course of action.”

So how can your organization guard against groupthink? Here are a few important steps.

1. As a leader, encourage alternative comments. If ideas or comments are being cut off by others that are contrary to established basic assumptions, it is time to intervene. Ask the individual to finish their comments. Remind everyone that open and frank communication is essential to good decision making.

2. Encourage the use of committees or a task force to evaluate ideas or basic assumptions. Remember those in the organization who are actually asked to implement and manage past decisions! They are a wealth of information and real world experience because they are closer to the front line of daily issues. Ask them to report their ideas and comments to the decision making group without fear of reprisal or intimidation. As a leader, insist that the open and honest sharing of ideas is an essential part of a healthy culture.

3. Appoint one of the group members to play the “devil’s advocate”. To avoid groupthink, postpone a decision for a few days. Ask the group to prepare a formal presentation including their data, assumptions and conclusions. Ahead of time ask one of the group’s most capable members to be the devil’s advocate and to challenge the formal presentation looking for flaws in logic, basic assumptions, false inferences and overlooked information. Allow the devil’s advocate to present a formal critique. Finally, allow the group to evaluate the results and revise the decision if necessary. It is better and easier to make changes at this stage rather than clean up the debris a poor decision will leave behind later on.

4. Maintain the right perspective as a leader. Old-fashioned humility is a major ingredient in effective leadership. No individual or group is infallible. Make a habit of what some call “managing by walking around”. Get out of your cocoon and ask questions of those who have been affected by the group’s decisions. Occasionally pick up the phone, call a customer, and get a reality check! Encouraging feedback on the results of previous decisions including what worked and what didn’t, will also help keep your feet on the ground. Realize that with rapidly changing technologies and cultures, many basic assumptions are in need of regular evaluation. Don’t be afraid to bring in a consultant if you feel your organization or group is losing its grip on the ability to make sound decisions.

For weLEAD, this is Greg Thomas reminding you that it was American author Mark Twain who humbly stated,

“Between me and God we have all knowledge. God knows all there is to know, and I know the rest.”

To learn more about leadership go to the weLEAD Home Page!