Your team is stuck in groupthink during discussions. How can you ensure diverse perspectives are considered?

I absolutely despise groupthink. One of the biggest problems with it is that it does not rely on empirical evidence to make rational decisions. One of the best ways to navigate around that is to gather individual insight from individuals. Sometimes people are very afraid of speaking up in a group despite having very opposing ideas. It is important to not only encourage an open exchange of ideas, but you have to cultivate a culture that nurtures and develops it. If people are more likely to share their own ideas without fear of being ostracized, they will be more likely to share those ideas. One way to do this is to simply have individual conversations and gather information that way and present it. #criticalthinking

Consider appointing a devil's advocate to help combat groupthink for several reasons. A devil's advocate can offer alternative ideas, ensuring all perspectives are considered. By challenging ideas, this role sparks discussions that lead to better decision-making. They help keep the group from becoming too comfortable with assumptions, promoting critical thinking. By questioning decisions, a devil's advocate can identify potential issues before they escalate. This role also fosters an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Incorporating a devil's advocate can lead to more balanced decision-making and reduce groupthink.

I love playing devil's advocate. The reason for this is that not only does it allow me to start poking holes in opposing arguments, but it also allows me to gain insight and additional perspective for a problem. Assigning a specific role could just be as easy as saying that another person is taking charge for the next meeting. Encouraging that individuals get a chance to express themselves from different positions also helps. Often times this new perspective will generate questions and force people to experience ideas and opinions in a different light. Having to react accordingly is part of the process. #criticalthinking #irregularthinker #teambuilding

Like all sprints in Agile Principles of project management the scrum values of transparency, inspection, and adaptation must be at the heart of the discussion. As a group leader emphasize on three things: 1. Role play: Divide roles of relevant stakeholders for the problem at hand. Your team might surprise you with insights! 2. Previous project benchmarks: Did the solutions work. how well, what was the hindsight? 3. Bring in a third party observer: In major projects sometimes it helps to have a different department senior stakeholder sit in as an observer.

Using the "5 Whys" has really helped my team tackle groupthink. Whenever we get stuck, I ask "why" repeatedly to dig deeper into our assumptions. This technique helps us question the underlying beliefs driving our decisions and explore other perspectives. It’s a simple but effective way to make sure we’re not just going along with the first idea that comes up. By uncovering and examining these assumptions, we can make more informed and balanced decisions.

Encourage an open and honest dialogue. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing dissenting views without fear of repercussion. Actively solicit input from quieter members, and be receptive to unconventional ideas. Regularly review decisions and consider alternative courses of action. By cultivating a culture of psychological safety and intellectual humility, your team can harness the power of diverse thinking to make more informed and innovative choices.