What is groupthink and how to avoid it

What is groupthink?

Groupthink is a phenomenon in which a group collectively agrees without taking into account individual opinions and dissenting viewpoints. When a team experiences groupthink, it often seems like everyone agrees, making it hard for those who have different opinions to speak up.

In this scenario, members of a group prioritize consensus and harmony over critical analysis. However, this ultimately leads to poor decision-making, because individual team members prefer to keep things harmonious and fit in with the group, so they might not share their true thoughts or question the group’s decisions.

Dev teams usually serve as an embodiment of diversity, with individuals from varied backgrounds bringing unique insights to their projects. This allows teams to identify distinct challenges and develop innovative solutions. Teams should cultivate an environment that promotes independent thinking and the sharing of diverse ideas. This is because it is beneficial for effective team dynamics, and is also critical for driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in the tech sector. The most trending software development technologies often emerge from challenging established norms and methodologies.

What are symptoms of groupthink?

Some of the common signs of groupthink are as follows:

• Stereotyping outgroups

• Self-censorship

• Mindguards

• Overconfidence

Stereotyping outgroups

This happens when team members dismiss or distrust people outside their group who may have useful criticisms or ideas. Some team members may miss out on important information due to this bias.

Self-censorship

People who have doubts or different ideas often keep quiet because they either don’t want to go against the group or think the group must be right.

Mindguards

Some team members might act as “mindguards,” keeping information that could challenge the group’s views away from the team. This approach actually stops the team from considering all the necessary information and can hurt innovation.

Overconfidence

Team members may overlook the consequences of their actions because they believe too strongly in the group’s decisions. They also tend to ignore warning signs, sticking to their beliefs without questioning them.

Causes of groupthink in dev teams

The main causes of groupthink in dev teams are as follows:

• Team members with similar characteristics

• Authoritative tech leads

• High-pressure deadlines

Team members with similar characteristics

One of the key factors leading to groupthink in dev teams is when team members have similar skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. These similarities result in team members with a natural tendency to agree with each other more easily. The similarity in the thinking and experience of team members means they’re likely to approach problems in the same way, reducing the likelihood of innovative solutions. It also means they might miss potential issues that someone with a different background could spot. In technical terms, this lack of diversity in skill sets and viewpoints can limit a team’s ability to effectively brainstorm, critically analyze, and creatively solve complex problems.

Authoritative tech leads

Another cause of groupthink in dev teams can be the presence of dominant leads. When a team member, especially in a leadership role, is extremely assertive, it can unintentionally suppress diverse opinions and ideas. Out of fear of conflict or a tendency to undervalue their own contributions, other team members might feel less inclined to voice their unique thoughts or challenge the agreed-upon ideas. This lack of debate and inability to explore different ideas can hinder a team’s ability to develop effective, well-rounded software solutions. Instead, tech leads should adopt a transformational leadership style to better cater to their teams.

High-pressure deadlines

When a team is under the gun to meet tight deadlines and achieve deliverables, there’s often a rush to reach decisions quickly, rather than thoroughly exploring different options. This haste can compromise the quality of the software being developed. As a result, important aspects—such as user experience, functionality, and bug testing—might not receive the attention they need. Moreover, team members may also get pressured to conform to the majority view without critically evaluating its merits or considering alternative approaches.

How to prevent groupthink in dev teams

Groupthink in dev teams can be countered through two major strategies which are:

• Foster an inclusive culture

• Promote a culture of innovation and creativity

Foster an inclusive culture 

One effective strategy to counter groupthink is to promote an open communication channel across the team, where every team member feels comfortable and encouraged to share their ideas and opinions. Additionally, managers should hold regular brainstorming sessions, where all ideas are welcomed and discussed so that everyone’s input is considered in the decision-making process. This helps in identifying and addressing potential issues more effectively and also promotes a more engaged and collaborative team environment.

Promote a culture of innovation and creativity

Managers should encourage a culture of questioning and curiosity, where team members are free to ask questions and challenge assumptions. This approach fosters an environment where it’s safe and valued to seek clarification and propose alternative ideas. Engineering managers should also facilitate regular, structured brainstorming sessions for transparency across the team. During these sessions, all ideas should be given space and consideration, ensuring that the team explores a wide range of solutions and approaches.

Final word

In short, groupthink can lead teams to make decisions without considering all the options or potential problems. In software development, where creative problem-solving and individual expertise are key, groupthink suppresses new ideas, which can stifle the team’s overall innovation and productivity. To avoid these issues, it’s important for teams to encourage open discussion and listen to different viewpoints.