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Jada is leading a meeting with her team. To avoid groupthink, Jada should

a) encourage consideration of alternative ideas.
b) immediately voice her opinion.
c) foster an atmosphere in which group members assure each other that they're doing the right thing.
d) discourage people outside the group from contributing ideas.

User JayTheKay
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1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Jada should encourage consideration of alternative ideas to avoid groupthink and foster productive discussions among her team members, leading to well-rounded and effective decision-making.

Step-by-step explanation:

To avoid groupthink, Jada should encourage consideration of alternative ideas. This fosters a healthy environment where diverse opinions are valued and the likelihood of making well-rounded decisions increases.

Groupthink occurs when a cohesive group strives for unanimity, suppressing dissent and overlooking alternatives. To combat this, it's critical to create a space where all voices are heard without prejudice. Effective strategies include seeking external inputs, private voting, the leader withholding their opinion, thorough exploration of options, examining pros and cons, and creating contingency plans.

This combats both groupthink and group polarization, which intensifies initial attitudes post-discussion, potentially leading to radical decisions. Encouraging various viewpoints ensures that decisions are not solely driven by the desire to maintain harmony but are instead well-considered and balanced, reflecting a broader range of perspectives.

Group settings, like tribal meetings or corporate boardrooms, can benefit from inclusive discussion tactics. It is essential for leaders like Jada to cultivate an atmosphere where debate is encouraged, and the danger of groupthink is reduced, leading to more effective, balanced decision-making and a team culture that supports growth and innovation.

User Grettke
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