Page 116 - (DK) The Business Book
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A CAMEL IS A
HORSE DESIGNED
BY COMMITTEE
AVOID GROUPTHINK
he desire to belong is a of assumptions, and ignores
IN CONTEXT powerful human emotion. warnings. It begins to assume
T We want to be accepted a position of moral superiority,
FOCUS
and to be part of a group, which and fails to consider the ethical
Group dynamics
explains why individuals may set consequences of its actions.
KEY DATES aside their opinions, remain silent The challenge for managers is
1948 US advertising guru in meetings, and nod in agreement to recognize groupthink and take
Alex Osborn promotes the even when they disagree. This action to prevent it. Encouraging
practice of “brainstorming”— deterioration of individual “mental dissent, assembling groups with
generating ideas in groups, efficiency, reality testing, and moral diverse demographics, and listening
judgment” was outlined by US to others’ opinions before airing
without criticism.
psychologist Irving Janis in 1972, their views are means of doing so. ■
1972 US research psychologist and is known as “groupthink.”
Irving Janis publishes Victims Groupthink is the idea that
of Groupthink. concurring with others is the sole
overriding priority. It can become
2003 An investigation into
so strong that it precludes realistic
the Columbia space-shuttle
assessment and analysis. Insulated
explosion cites a culture where
from contrary perspectives, groups
it was “difficult for dissenting
displaying groupthink self-justify
opinions to percolate up.”
their own conclusions. Irrational
2005 Robert Baron publishes decisions may be made based on
the academic paper “So Right false or incomplete information.
it’s Wrong,” claiming that Irving noted that groups
groupthink tendencies may displayed a series of characteristics
be confined to the early stages when groupthink gains hold. The Swissair went into liquidation in 2001.
of the formation of a group. group begins to feel invulnerable, Once labeled “the flying bank” due to
which encourages extreme risk its profitability, the airline’s executive
2006 Steve Wozniak, the
taking. It collectively rationalizes structure displayed groupthink traits,
inventor of the first Apple decisions, fails to check the reality such as a sense of invulnerability.
computer, advises creative
thinkers: “Work alone. Not on See also: The value of teams 70–71 ■ Beware the yes-men 74–75 ■
a committee. Not on a team.” Hubris and nemesis 100–03 ■ Organizational culture 104–09
