According to Psychology Today, Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people make irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge to conform. This desire of cohesiveness pushes dissent and conflict so far away that creativity and even logic can be lost.
Groupthink occurs more often than you think in both professional and personal environments. Groupthink, sometimes referred to as “mob mentality” has infiltrated our psyche from the kindergarten sandbox, shadowed us through our high school cliques, emphasized in our college Greek life, and remained by our side even well into our professional lives.
Although incredibly subtle at times, it is groupthink that has been at the core of some of the most dehumanizing acts in history. It is the lack of rationalization, resistance and personal accountability that has made groupthink dangerous (Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster, Cuban Missile Crisis, and most recently, the attack of the U.S. Capitol Building). When the moral compass that guides our conscience as individuals gets disrupted by a larger group, personal responsibility disappears and moral conviction withers.
It is because of groupthink that most brainstorms are counterproductive, with each individual of the group becoming less creative.
So what does this have to do with brainstorming? Actually, quite a bit. If you have ever suppressed a thought or an opinion with your team because you didn’t want to seem unsupportive or just plain silly, you have fallen victim to groupthink. Maybe you wanted to be a team player and didn’t want to stop “good momentum.” Maybe you decided to defer to a superior instead of attempting to defend your idea. Whatever the reason, all of these contribute to this giant pitfall called groupthink. It is because of groupthink that most brainstorms are counterproductive, with each individual of the group becoming less creative.
So we know what groupthink is and where it occurs, but how do we avoid it?
First, provide a safe nest. Emphasizing an environment where “anything goes” allows people to share ideas without the fear of being judged. Second, as much as we want everyone to speak up, we also want them to shut up. When another person in the group is sharing their ideas, the only thing you should be practicing is proactive listening. In other words, your full attention should be on person speaking. Moreover, you should be actively listening by taking notes, jotting idea builds, and writing down follow-up questions.
The next time you feel an urge to suppress a potentially unpopular thought, don't. Speak up. It will not only benefit you, but more importantly, it will benefit (and save) the group.
Click here for the rest of our rules to foster a successful brainstorm, virtual or in-person.