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The #1 Killer of Change

Lead Change Blog

In my view, the #1 killer element is groupthink. He believed, as I do, that groupthink erodes values; stifles critical thinking, limits creativity; enables undue influence of direction; and, allows inequity of action. So what is that profound issue, that killer component? However, that seems all too often not to happen. What to do now?

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Yes, You Can Brainstorm Without Groupthink

Harvard Business Review

In articles in both the New York Times and The New Yorker earlier this year, the concept of brainstorming as introduced in the 1940's by Alex Osborn has been attacked as ineffective and linked to the concept of " Groupthink.". Suffice it to say, we dislike consensus-based "Groupthink" as much as the next person. Here's our advice: 1.

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How John F. Kennedy Changed Decision Making for Us All

Harvard Business Review

Yale psychologist Irving Janis used the debacle to coin the term “groupthink,” which refers to a psychological drive for consensus at any cost that suppresses dissent and appraisal of alternatives. Two days later, the group presents the fully developed alternatives to President Kennedy, who chooses to pursue the blockade.

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Improving the Way Boards, CEOs, and Shareholders Interact

Harvard Business Review

However, I find it extremely troubling that these luminaries — particularly the participating institutional investors — see such a limited role for non-executive directors to engage directly with shareholders on “governance and key shareholder issues,” leaving the job largely to the CEO. ” (Emphasis added.).

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There Are Risks to Mindfulness at Work

Harvard Business Review

At times, it appears that we are witnessing the development of a “cult of mindfulness” that, if not appropriately recognized and moderated, may result in an unfortunate backlash against it. The groupthink risk. Many participants came to dread the exercise. Here are a couple of my concerns: The avoidance risk.

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6 Keys to Putting the Crowdsourced Surveillance Genie Back in the Lamp

Harvard Business Review

When outraged Vancouverites turned to blogs and Facebook to identify participants in the Stanley Cup riots, many celebrated sites like Vancouver 2011 Riot Pics and Vancouver 2011 Criminal List as examples of putting social media to concrete and constructive use.

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Being the Boss’s Favorite Is Great, Until It’s Not

Harvard Business Review

You can get trapped in a version of groupthink, with a single set of shared relationships. Either way, you can end up without the bandwidth to seek out your own projects or skill development. Research what your next move could be and find ways to develop relationships with other leaders. Protect your career options.