Dangers of GroupThink for Teams and Organizations
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
Author: Sarah A Scala, M. Ed & OD, ACC
Reading Time: 2 Minutes
In 2018, Sarah Scala Consulting partnered with MindEdge Learning as a subject matter expert on Team Creativity, Innovation, and Employee Performance. I was interviewed to produce video content about specific topics that were incorporated into their online learning courses for MindEdge’s clients. For the course focused on Creativity in Teams and Organizations, Creativity was defined as the generation of new ideas, while Innovation was defined as commercialization of those ideas to create value. This is part of a blog series about this project.
Groupthink can be dangerous for teams. It can be avoided by having a safe culture and environment for disagreeing and for taking risk. The ability for people to feel comfortable being vulnerable leads to creativity and innovation, because they’re going to test and try different options and solutions.
Groupthink can be minimized by having diverse team members with different backgrounds, experiences, and points of view. It's increasingly important to make space for both introverts and extroverts in meetings. This may include sending an agenda with questions ahead of time, so everyone will have time to reflect and think about best responses and ideas. When groupthink is the norm, creative and innovative ideas can't come to the surface.
Check out some of the solutions that we provide in the areas of Team Development, Team Simulations, and Team Coaching.
How have you reduced Groupthink with your clients or organization? Comment below.
Check out our other Blogs on Teams
Questions? Let’s connect. I would love to hear your success stories. Please send them to: hello@sarahscala.com or visit www.sarahscala.com
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About the Author:
Sarah Scala is a senior talent management leader and executive coach with 20+ years of experience providing organization development, change management, and leadership development solutions for diverse global and local industries. She is a collaborative consultant, coach, and educator supporting performance transformation of executives, leaders, and teams. Sarah is a methodical, results-driven leader recognized for helping clients reach their highest potential, increase revenue, reduce turnover, elevate business profitability, build competencies, and improve performance.
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