Let's avoid "Groupthink."

Q. How might your team implement processes to avoid this pitfall?

A couple of years ago, in Korea, there was a stunning TV ad which encouraged people to examine themselves or the society. There is one guy around a lot of people in the ad. When the rest of those people say, “Yes,” only this guy says, “No,” along with the narration that we need this courage. This is an example that represents one of our embarrassing phases our society has had. As a matter of fact, we have thought and learned that in an either large community or small group, we have to respect others’ opinions and attitudes and that we have to consider our team or society rather than individuals in order to develop any larger groups where individuals are involved.

Behind many advantages of this concept, there are some disadvantages. Most of all, it tends to prevent individuals from thinking freely and giving his or her own opinions honestly in case that idea or the majority differs from his or her one. This attitude absolutely does not help develop the appropriate decision-making.

At the first meeting when we first met each other as team members, we came up with some kinds of rules.

- Be honest.
- Do show respect and listen carefully even if any member gives any opposed opinions to general opinions of the team.
- Do not be rude.

In fact, these sound too basic and simple to ignore them. The reason we mentioned them at the very first meeting might be that each members seemed to realize the seriousness of “Goupthink.” Any specific explanation is not needed in the case. “To be honest.” And “be aware of the reason why we work on the team project together.” These might be the simple and fundamental but very important solution to avoid this pitfall.