Breaking Out of Group Think

Breaking Out of Group Think

Sometimes the pressure to conform is greater than daring enough to ask questions.

This happened to me several years ago when I joined a group that had been together for several years. They had a culture that had developed over time. A culture they all understood but of course, being new, I did not. The simple questions were welcomed at first but the inquiring questions like, “Why do we do this?” soon became misunderstood as being interruptive and were easily dismissed.

I soon realized that asking questions was not encouraged. Consequently the team only moved at the leaders command, there were no fresh insights, no new methods or ideas just nods of agreement.

According to Irving L. Janis, “Groupthink occurs when rules for decision-making are unclear and when there’s considerable pressure to make a good decision quickly. It also happens when the group is highly cohesive and members have similar backgrounds and when there is pressure for group members to go along.”

How do we break out of the Groupthink syndrome? You begin by thinking for yourself. Assume the role of Devil’s Advocate and encouraging others to express ideas or ask questions. Find ways to draw the group into discussion by asking good questions and challenging the surface answers. Use the newspaper reporter’s 5 W’s. When, Where, What, Who, Why for starters. Challenge assumptions and encourage some great brainstorming around issues before nodding in agreement.

Today, God is placing women into the decision making places of our society. It may be at a corporate boardroom table or as part of a ministry team. This will be your opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to issues and new insight into old paradigms.

How will you’re voice be heard? Will it be wise and discerning or dismissed as not getting to the point? As Leading Women, we need to do our homework, research the issue and come prepared to meetings. Then our questions will be heard and hopefully our inquiry respected.

Try igniting your culture with courage. Dare enough to ask the hard questions and resist the pressure to conform.

Bonnie Pioveson

Director of Operations
NextLEVEL Leadership