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Avoiding Groupthink

January 16, 2008

 "A shared vision is one thing: groupthink is another.  Groupthink is faulty decision making.  It happens when group members always want to be in agreement and members openly agree with a perceived group position even if individual group members privately disagree.  It happens when members see themselves as highly cohesive and part of a special, distinctive group and as doing important work toward a common goal.  They feel they are in an in-group, a clique if you will, that becomes more important than saying anything that may disrupt people's feelings of belonging.

 To avoid groupthink, consider all members' views before making decisions.  Bring in outside experts, and research how similar decisions have worked out in different organizations.  Encourage all members to speak up, and avoid squelching members who express outlying or unusual ideas (London & London, 2007, p. 33).

 Reference:  London, M., & London, M. (2007).  First-time leaders of small groups: how to create high-performing committees, task forces, clubs, and boards.  San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons.

 First-Time Leaders of Small Groups is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???

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Created: 2008-02-26, Updated: 2009-02-20