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
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Courage and Confidence: What's the difference and how do we get them?
Confidence is a Feeling; Courage is an Action
I love the Wizard of Oz, where the cowardly lion acquires courage! Even though it develops through an arduous journey, I’m still left wondering…
“If only it were that easy!”
In Lessons I Learned in the Light, Jennifer Rothschild describes a thought-provoking difference between confidence and courage:
Confidence is a feeling. Courage is an action that leads to trust in God and confidence. Don’t wait until you feel confident to exercise courage… because when we fail to act, we lose hope.
God doesn’t require confidence. He only asks for courage… Get out of our comfort zone and experience the uncertain adventure of exercising courage- in spite of our lack of confidence. When we do, we find that an amazing confidence results: a confidence in God and His promises!
Driven by Feelings?
I recently “dared” to quit my job and search for a new career. Some of Paul’s “last words” to his mentee, Timothy, really apply:
“Keep a firm grip on your faith and yourself; after all, this is a battle we’re in.”
Transitions are emotionally-laden and his challenge to “get a grip” is a good reminder to me- daily!
Acting with Courage
Get courage by acting with courage. It’s a choice. God can be trusted.
► Take a risk –it’s worth it.
o Give yourself freedom to fail and try again.
o Try a totally new experience on for size- how does it fit?
o What promises has God given you?
o What would you do if you were brave?
► Boldly refuse to act.
o Be content to wait until you’ve heard God speak.
o Release control. Trust God and others. Discover the adventure of “chaotic order”!
o Empower others. Enable them to go further than you’ll ever go.
o Build your team with diversity- of gifts, experience, skill, style, values.
Feeling Confident
Know thyself.
► I keep a “listening file” where I stash
o Results of profiles that help me understand how I’m wired: MBTI, Kolbe, Clifton Strengths-finder, Spiritual Gift Inventories.
o My Personal Leadership Profile from NextLEVEL Leadership. Their Integrative Leadership Intensives significantly address confidence, character and competence for Christian leaders today. This community has made a world of difference for me.
o Insights and comments- both affirming and constructive- from mentors, friends, family, co-workers… those who know me well enough to speak the truth
o Journal entries of what God has revealed to me.
Let your confidence develop based on the “truth” of who you are- in Christ and …
DARE to act courageously, be confident!
Sharon Johnson skjohnson@rogers.com
Facilitator for NextLEVEL Leadership
Venturing into a new career with refugees in her hometown.
I love the Wizard of Oz, where the cowardly lion acquires courage! Even though it develops through an arduous journey, I’m still left wondering…
“If only it were that easy!”
In Lessons I Learned in the Light, Jennifer Rothschild describes a thought-provoking difference between confidence and courage:
Confidence is a feeling. Courage is an action that leads to trust in God and confidence. Don’t wait until you feel confident to exercise courage… because when we fail to act, we lose hope.
God doesn’t require confidence. He only asks for courage… Get out of our comfort zone and experience the uncertain adventure of exercising courage- in spite of our lack of confidence. When we do, we find that an amazing confidence results: a confidence in God and His promises!
Driven by Feelings?
I recently “dared” to quit my job and search for a new career. Some of Paul’s “last words” to his mentee, Timothy, really apply:
“Keep a firm grip on your faith and yourself; after all, this is a battle we’re in.”
Transitions are emotionally-laden and his challenge to “get a grip” is a good reminder to me- daily!
Acting with Courage
Get courage by acting with courage. It’s a choice. God can be trusted.
► Take a risk –it’s worth it.
o Give yourself freedom to fail and try again.
o Try a totally new experience on for size- how does it fit?
o What promises has God given you?
o What would you do if you were brave?
► Boldly refuse to act.
o Be content to wait until you’ve heard God speak.
o Release control. Trust God and others. Discover the adventure of “chaotic order”!
o Empower others. Enable them to go further than you’ll ever go.
o Build your team with diversity- of gifts, experience, skill, style, values.
Feeling Confident
Know thyself.
► I keep a “listening file” where I stash
o Results of profiles that help me understand how I’m wired: MBTI, Kolbe, Clifton Strengths-finder, Spiritual Gift Inventories.
o My Personal Leadership Profile from NextLEVEL Leadership. Their Integrative Leadership Intensives significantly address confidence, character and competence for Christian leaders today. This community has made a world of difference for me.
o Insights and comments- both affirming and constructive- from mentors, friends, family, co-workers… those who know me well enough to speak the truth
o Journal entries of what God has revealed to me.
Let your confidence develop based on the “truth” of who you are- in Christ and …
DARE to act courageously, be confident!
Sharon Johnson skjohnson@rogers.com
Facilitator for NextLEVEL Leadership
Venturing into a new career with refugees in her hometown.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
It All Started With a Dream
It all started with a dream.
Key women leaders in Canada were well aware of the need: Christian women in leadership needed support, encouragement and practical training to fulfill their mission and calling. And together we needed to develop and build our own ‘Canadian’ identity to ensure that we were equipping future leaders in our nation.
The concept of Leading Women was a shared dream. Ministry partners joined together to plan a weekend that would focus on building leadership capability among our women in Canada and inspire new dreams.
Canada is a nation known for its rich endowment of natural resources. From Vancouver Island to the shores of Newfoundland and to the far reaches of the north, this nation enjoys extraordinary economic and social benefits thanks to its natural resources making it a nation people want to call home.
Just as we are rich in natural resources, so our nation is filled with incredible, talents and gifted women who need to be applauded, supported, and encouraged to live out their dreams. Canadian Christian women have not reached their potential in impacting their communities, our nation and the world. Our resources and dreams are still too hidden and that needs to change.
Leading Women is the one national event where Canadian women in leadership can be trained, supported and encouraged. It’s a weekend where women who have achieved are celebrated. It provides rich networking opportunities where experiences and resources can be shared. It’s focus on Canadian leadership enhances the opportunities that we have in building our own identity as women of mission and calling. The optional learning opportunities empower women to believe in themselves and their dream.
To fulfill a dream is not an easy task. It takes courage to move from a comfort zone to the unknown. Risk taking is necessary to move forward.
Creative ideas and passion become like an inner flame giving the leader dream-energy and confidence. The need of mentors is indispensable. Perseverance and commitment are essential character traits. Learning to trust God in the development process is a fundamental spiritual cord that links the conception of a dream to it’s fulfillment.
Shared stories from those who have been through the journey of seeing a dream fulfilled create an energy at Leading Women that inspires commitment and trust and believing that we can dare to move forward.
The 4th Leading Women Conference will be held Feb 28, 29 & March 1, 2008 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga. Our theme, appropriately chosen, describes the heartbeat of fourteen ministry partners; their dream for Canadian Christian women: “Dare…igniting a culture of courage.”
Together we are shaping the future and challenging women to dare to believe in themselves and their God to fulfill their calling and mission.
Women who dare to dream shape the future. Plan to attend Leading Women 2008!
Margaret Gibb
Co-Chair
Leading Women 2008
Key women leaders in Canada were well aware of the need: Christian women in leadership needed support, encouragement and practical training to fulfill their mission and calling. And together we needed to develop and build our own ‘Canadian’ identity to ensure that we were equipping future leaders in our nation.
The concept of Leading Women was a shared dream. Ministry partners joined together to plan a weekend that would focus on building leadership capability among our women in Canada and inspire new dreams.
Canada is a nation known for its rich endowment of natural resources. From Vancouver Island to the shores of Newfoundland and to the far reaches of the north, this nation enjoys extraordinary economic and social benefits thanks to its natural resources making it a nation people want to call home.
Just as we are rich in natural resources, so our nation is filled with incredible, talents and gifted women who need to be applauded, supported, and encouraged to live out their dreams. Canadian Christian women have not reached their potential in impacting their communities, our nation and the world. Our resources and dreams are still too hidden and that needs to change.
Leading Women is the one national event where Canadian women in leadership can be trained, supported and encouraged. It’s a weekend where women who have achieved are celebrated. It provides rich networking opportunities where experiences and resources can be shared. It’s focus on Canadian leadership enhances the opportunities that we have in building our own identity as women of mission and calling. The optional learning opportunities empower women to believe in themselves and their dream.
To fulfill a dream is not an easy task. It takes courage to move from a comfort zone to the unknown. Risk taking is necessary to move forward.
Creative ideas and passion become like an inner flame giving the leader dream-energy and confidence. The need of mentors is indispensable. Perseverance and commitment are essential character traits. Learning to trust God in the development process is a fundamental spiritual cord that links the conception of a dream to it’s fulfillment.
Shared stories from those who have been through the journey of seeing a dream fulfilled create an energy at Leading Women that inspires commitment and trust and believing that we can dare to move forward.
The 4th Leading Women Conference will be held Feb 28, 29 & March 1, 2008 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga. Our theme, appropriately chosen, describes the heartbeat of fourteen ministry partners; their dream for Canadian Christian women: “Dare…igniting a culture of courage.”
Together we are shaping the future and challenging women to dare to believe in themselves and their God to fulfill their calling and mission.
Women who dare to dream shape the future. Plan to attend Leading Women 2008!
Margaret Gibb
Co-Chair
Leading Women 2008
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The Leading Women Conference has been birthed out of a desire to call together Canadian Christian women in leadership from across our nation. Our purpose is to identify, profile and network God's women by equipping, training, encouraging, celebrating and releasing them to do the work of their calling with excellence.
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