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REAL RESULTS. NO DETOURS, NO DRAMA
Our Approach: A Framework for Collaborative Success​
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At the heart of our work is a deep understanding of group dynamics and the psychological phenomena that lead to poor decisions when we revert to the tribal mind. The most insidious enemy of rationality in organisations is Groupthink, which occurs when the desire for harmony and consensus overrides critical evaluation and dissenting viewpoints, leading to suboptimal or, occasionally, catastrophic consequences.
Our approach is designed to counteract this tendency by creating an environment where critical thinking, scepticism, and diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but integral to the decision-making process.
The 10th Man Principle: Institutionalizing Dissent
One of the core concepts we promote is the 10th Man principle. This concept, originally inspired by Israeli intelligence strategy, involves designating one member of a group to serve as a deliberate sceptic. It's not an easy role to adopt as the remit involves challenging the prevailing consensus, questioning underlying assumptions, and presenting alternative viewpoints. By institutionalizing dissent in this way, we are able to ensure all perspectives are considered and potential risks identified before they become critical issues.
The 10th man isn't just a contrarian; he (or she, of course) is a crucial safeguard against the complacency that often accompanies consensus. By fostering a culture that supports and expects critical evaluation of ideas we are able to ensure organisational decisions that are more comprehensive, balanced and robust.
Our Approach: Systematic, Evidence-Based, and Adaptable
Our work is grounded in a systematic and evidence-based analysis of your organisation or team, ensuring any potential recommendation is informed by a deep understanding of the issues. We begin by assessing the prevailing culture, decision-making processes, and potential blind spots that could lead to groupthink or other cognitive distortions. From there, we move through a series of deliberate steps:
Identify Key Behaviours: We work with you to identify behaviours, assumptions, and influences impacting the specific challenges you face. This may involve analysing how decisions are currently made, gaining an understanding of the pressures leading to conformity, and identifying areas where dissent is suppressed.
Scenario Planning and Pre-Mortems: Pre-mortems help us explore likely failure points before they occur. By imagining and planning for future challenges, we anticipate and develop strategies to overcome them.
Creating a Culture of Open Dialogue: Effective problem-solving requires a culture in which open dialogue and critical thinking are encouraged. We provide training and workshops that help your team engage in constructive debate, listen to diverse perspectives, and make decisions that are well-rounded and robust.
Implementing Change: Change is only effective if it’s actionable and sustainable. We work with your team to create solutions that are innovative, realistic and tailored to your organization’s needs and resources.
The Map is not the Territory
The world isn't likely to be getting less complex any time soon. So, the best answers are almost certainly not going to be the most obvious. Our approach is designed to embrace complexity rather than avoid it.
We leverage systems-thinking to appreciate the broader context, recognizing that the factors influencing your organisation’s success are often interconnected and multifaceted. By acknowledging the reality that our mental model (the "map") is merely a representation of what's actually going on (the "territory"), we help organisations remain open to new information and flexible in the face of changing circumstances.
A Commitment to Your Success
Our commitment is to support your organization as it acquires the mindset and frameworks needed to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Whether you're dealing with a specific challenge or want to build a more resilient culture, our approach will help you meet your unique needs and achieve lasting success.
Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help you think critically, act decisively, and thrive.