Sadly, Groupthink has Become the Norm
In recent years, the habit of groupthink has become increasingly prevalent in various social, political, and professional spheres. Groupthink, the practice of making decisions as a group that discourages individual responsibility or creativity, has seen a surge in acceptance as the new norm. It’s time to reclaim our individuality and creativity, to think for ourselves, and to take responsibility for our decisions.
It’s as if people fear being transparent, authentic, and unique. Many would rather have someone tell them what to think than think for themselves. Civic engagement has become a thing of the past because it involves asking questions, having deep discussions, and arriving at a decision of unity rather than uniformity.
This trend is deeply concerning, often leading to poor decision-making and stifling innovation. The dangers of groupthink are real and significant. Understanding the reasons behind this shift is crucial to recognize the signs of groupthink and mitigate its negative effects. It’s a call to action to be vigilant and not succumb to the allure of conformity.
Here are ten reasons why many accept groupthink as the new norm, each significantly shaping our collective mindset.
1. Surprise: Social Media Influence
Undoubtedly, social media platforms play a significant role in amplifying collective opinions and creating echo chambers where dissenting voices are minimized or ignored. The constant reinforcement and feeding of our biases of similar ideas make it easier for individuals to conform to the dominant viewpoint. This should serve as a warning to be critical of the information we consume and the opinions we adopt.
Social media influencers are becoming a dime a dozen, many only because of their personality instead of knowledge. Influencers are being followed by other junior influencers, who are being followed by what-to-be influencers. Soon, there won’t be anyone to influence.
2. A Fear of Social Repercussions
Many fear the repercussions of expressing dissenting opinions in a world where social acceptance is highly valued. The fear of being ostracized or ridiculed encourages conformity and discourages independent thinking. A pertinent example is the current race for President in the United States. The Republican Conservative movement, particularly under the leadership of Donald Trump, has been criticized for fostering a cult-like environment where dissent is not tolerated. On the other hand, the Democratic Movement is striving to find a unified identity, often leading to groupthink. Both are looking to bring people into their versions of groupthink.
3. A Desire for Harmony
People often prioritize group harmony over individual expression to avoid conflict. This desire for harmony leads to an environment where disagreement is suppressed and the consensus is valued above all else. Having researched and taught cults for many years, I can tell you that this is at the core of a cult. When a movement can get people committed to their core values without any evaluation, they can command them as an army. This is clearly visible in religious and political circles today.
4. An Overreliance on Experts
The continuing reliance on experts and authority figures can lead to groupthink. When individuals place too much trust in perceived experts, they may forgo critical thinking and accept the group’s decisions without question. This becomes a slippery slope, especially for coaches, teachers, and consultants.
My philosophy has always been that I will work with someone until the light bulb goes on and then let them fly independently. I have told people I will not be their coach for life, but they must drive their growth.
5. Over-simplification of Complex Issues
Groupthink gives the perception that it simplifies complex issues into easily digestible ideas, making it appealing for those who find it challenging to engage in nuanced discussions. This oversimplification fosters a herd mentality where people follow the majority without critical analysis.
6. The Pressure to Conform in Workplaces
Many workplaces encourage conformity to maintain productivity and avoid conflict. Employees may feel pressured to align with the majority opinion, especially in hierarchical organizations where dissent can be seen as insubordination. It is possible to have a flat organization, but hierarchies can exist without forcing uniformity if the leadership is not hell-bent on control and power.
7. Political Polarization
Political polarization exacerbates groupthink by creating a “us versus them” mentality. Individuals are more likely to align with their political group and dismiss opposing views, leading to a lack of open-mindedness and critical debate.
This has been around as long as there have been politicians. They thrive on the concept because it feeds underlying chaos, meaning they can be the hero by providing placebo solutions.
8. Education System
Educational systems that prioritize rote learning over critical thinking can contribute to groupthink. Students who are taught to accept information without questioning it carry this mindset into adulthood and are more likely to conform to group opinions.
Few institutions are willing to teach people how to think and regularly provide information on alternatives to their subject matter.
9. Influence of News Media
Like social media, traditional media outlets can perpetuate groupthink by presenting biased viewpoints and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. The repetition of similar narratives reinforces group consensus and discourages independent thought.
10. Cognitive Laziness
Groupthink provides cognitive laziness by reducing the mental effort required to form independent opinions. Conforming to the group allows individuals to avoid the discomfort of critical thinking and the potential stress of standing alone.
The rise of groupthink as the new norm involves social, psychological, and institutional influences. Recognizing the reasons behind this trend is the first step toward fostering a culture that values independent thinking and healthy debate. By addressing these underlying causes, we can encourage more diverse and innovative societal decision-making processes.
Alternatives to Groupthink
Groupthink can be detrimental to effective decision-making and innovation, but several strategies can help prevent it and foster a culture of critical thinking and diverse perspectives. Critical thinking is not just beneficial; it’s intellectually stimulating.
Here are some alternatives to groupthink:
Encourage Creative Dissent
Create an environment where dissenting opinions are not only accepted but encouraged. Encourage team members to voice their disagreements and provide alternative perspectives without fear of repercussions.
Appointing a Devil’s Advocate
Designate a devil’s advocate in discussions to challenge prevailing viewpoints. This role helps ensure that decisions are thoroughly examined from all angles, reducing the risk of uncritical conformity.
Foster a Culture of Open Communication
Promote a culture where open communication is valued. Encourage team members to freely share their thoughts and ideas, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can thrive.
Carefully Seek External Opinions
Consult external experts or stakeholders who can provide an outsider’s perspective. This can help to challenge the group’s assumptions and introduce fresh viewpoints.
Provide Structured but Adaptable Decision-Making Processes
Implement structured decision-making processes that require systematic evaluation of alternatives. Techniques like the Delphi method, which involves a group of experts who anonymously contribute their opinions, the SWOT analysis, which assesses the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a decision, and decision matrices, which compare and evaluate different options, can help ensure comprehensive analysis and reduce bias. However, do not become so rigid in the process that you create forced uniformity.
Offer Anonymous Feedback Mechanisms
Use anonymous surveys or suggestion boxes to gather honest feedback and ideas from team members. This can help individuals share their true thoughts without the fear of judgment. I am not a great fan of this option because there are too many ways they can be used to manipulate the process from both sides. However, when done correctly, it can be a starting point for positive culture change.
Rotate Leadership Roles
Rotate leadership roles within teams to prevent a single leader from dominating. This can help distribute influence more evenly and ensure that different perspectives are considered.
This works well if there is respect and trust between all the team members. However, if one believes they are superior to everyone else on the team, it will fall apart quickly.
Encourage Diverse Teams
Build teams with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. Diversity can help prevent groupthink by bringing in a variety of viewpoints and reducing the likelihood of uniform thinking.
Commit to Training Programs
Offer training programs on critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Educating team members on these skills can empower them to think independently and challenge group consensus.
Too often today, leadership uses training as a budget-cutting device rather than investing in sustainable growth. This mindset is exactly what feeds the groupthink mentality.
Encourage Reflective Reviews
Encourage reflective practices such as after-action reviews and post-mortems. These practices help teams analyze their decision-making processes and outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and learn from past experiences.
I suggest breaking it into three sections:
At the start of the project, what do we expect to work, where do we expect to see roadblocks, and Who do we need to involve in decision-making?
What is working and what is not working during the project? Where do we need to make changes? What are the alternatives?
After the project, what worked, what didn’t, when do we need to reevaluate to improve the tools, and what is the expected life cycle of the current release?
If you can actively implement these strategies, organizations and groups can avoid the pitfalls of groupthink and foster a culture that values critical thinking and diverse perspectives. Encouraging open dialogue, challenging assumptions, and promoting inclusivity are key to making better, more informed decisions.
Thank you for reading my articles. My goal is to stimulate critical thinking and transparent discussions about life today. You can buy me a coffee if you feel I have done this.
