When you think about team dynamics and workplace productivity, it’s easy to get trapped in the idea that alignment in thinking is the best path forward; after all, the mindset unity offered by consistent corporate culture is shown to have a positive effect on productivity. But there’s a dark side to the “unified” mentality, and it’s probably infected your own boardroom, at least to some degree.
It’s called groupthink, but thankfully, a recent surge in workplace diversity (thanks in part to millennial leaders) is starting to abate its progression.
What Is Groupthink?
Groupthink, to some degree, is exactly what it sounds like; it’s the tendency for members in a given group to gradually drift toward the same beliefs and styles of thinking.