Question

• What is an example of groupthink from your own life or experience? How did it come about? How could it have been avoided?

Answer 1

By Groupthink we mean a phenomenon when a group of people get together start to think collectively with one mind. The group is more concerned with maintaining unity rather than with objectively evaluating their situations, alternatives and options.

Here I am giving an example of group thinking from my real life experience. I was then working as Assistant manager in a consulting firm. In fact I was recently joined with that company. One day I was called upon by my immediate Sr. Manager and told that there is an urgent meeting in the evening wherein the possibility of opening up a new branch in another city is going to be discussed. The participants would be Managing Director-Operation, Accounts Manager, Head-Business Development, Sr. Manager-HR, Sr. Manager-Operations and me. In the evening the meeting started and after a long discussion it was decided to start the new operational branch in city X.I was given the responsibility to finalize the prospective office location in initial phase of work.

Actually, the Management has already decided to start new operation in a new city prior to appointment of Me as Assistant Manager. When I joined, the message was communicated to me and I was allowed to give my opinions and share my experience in the meeting.