#85: Abuse of power leads to groupthink

Let me remind you: You must exercise your power, else no one will know that you have it. But take care how you use it or you might abuse it.

One serious outcome of the abuse of power is groupthink. Groupthink is the tendency of group members to take decisions uncritically and without due thought, particularly when the decisions are recommended by powerful members of the group.

You have groupthink when your colleagues think they simply cannot fail; when they assume that they are of one mind; when they believe that the group’s decisions are morally justified; when they put pressure on dissenters; when they practice self-censorship; or when they stereotype other groups as weak, ineffective or stupid.

Groupthink is often fear-based, because no one in the group is willing to speak up and against. So watch how you use your power or watch how poor decisions multiply in your group.


I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh

James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
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