Groupthink

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Teamwork science proves conflict is not "good," despite the claims of some consultants. But equally bad is "groupthink," in which team members conform their thinking too much; go along with the boss or dominant members; squelch debates; or refuse to consider alternate information. Researchers have identified groupthink as a primary factor in poor decision-making in small groups, and include as examples major historical failures from Britain's pre-war attempt to placate Nazi Germany to the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle. If you see signs of groupthink:

• Have the team create rules to limit overbearing behavior.
• Use formal meeting facilitation and meeting rules to encourage full involvement.
• Push the team to bring in outsiders on discussions affecting them.
• Introduce formal problem-solving and decision-making techniques using objective data and criteria.
• Consider moving one or two new members onto the team, especially ones known for independent thinking.

For more help:

• Review the "Groupthink" section starting on page 120 and related troubleshooting steps in our "do-it-yourself" team building book.
• Bring in our Group Decision-Making Skills class to learn formal techniques for problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritizing.
• Bring us in for a SuddenTeams Assessment, a four-hour review of your team's status resulting in a list of recommendations.