Bust Groupthink

Was that Groupthink you just saw in your team meeting? It happens to the best of us, and often it’s right under our noses and we don’t realise it. Groupthink has a way of creeping into even the most seasoned teams, making people hold back contrary views and go along with consensus to keep the peace. But here’s the thing: the more we ignore these subtle signs, the closer we are to blind spots and poor decisions.

So, how do you tackle Groupthink? It’s about embedding a few small but powerful habits that keep everyone thinking critically.

• Foster a Culture of Healthy Scepticism

o Scepticism isn’t negativity; it’s asking, “What if?” and “Are we sure?”

o Not every “fact” is reliable—encourage the team to question data and challenge interpretations.

o Example: Two articles on the same sports event had totally opposite takes on viewership. Which one’s right? This illustrates why questioning matters.

• Make Sure You’re Solving the Right Problem

o Groupthink often pushes teams to rush into solutions without clarifying the real issue.

o Before asking, “How do we fix this?” make sure the team’s tackling the right question.

o Reframing the problem can reveal new perspectives—and often changes everything.

• Invite Input from the Silent Ones

o Silence fuels Groupthink. Often, the silent carry the most valuable insights.

o Actively draw out these perspectives with a simple, “What do you think?”

o This small step surfaces ideas that might otherwise go unheard and diversifies the conversation.

As a C-Suite Leader, how conscious are you of the potential for unshared information from your team? Trust me, unshared can be a killer, whether.

As a Risk Leader, consider using anonymous information capture and voting. I use Mentimeter, a similar app is Slido.?

As always, I’d love to hear how these strategies work for you!