Going out of your way to hire people who may disagree with you is a difficult pill to swallow for some entrepreneurs and leaders of small businesses, but don't confuse 'having independence of thought' with 'argumentative & difficult'.
Experienced Executive & Business Advisor bringing decades of Corporate Strategic Planning experience to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses realise their potential
If you surround yourself with ‘yes men,’ you’re already walking into danger. Last week (https://lnkd.in/eT9P8MV2), I talked about the need for diverse thinkers in your strategic planning. But today, let’s look at what happens when you do the opposite. Ever heard of “groupthink”? It’s a silent business killer. You end up with a team that moves like a herd—ignoring dissent and walking headfirst into mistakes. Why does it happen? Because, as your business grows, you tend to hire people just like you. Same backgrounds. Same ideas. And—here’s the real danger—you miss out on those crucial, dissenting voices that save you from poor decisions. Real-world disasters like the Bay of Pigs, the Challenger shuttle, and even the Vietnam War all trace back to this dangerous phenomenon. Groupthink isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a daily threat for businesses—especially as they scale. So, what’s the antidote? Diversity of thought. Hiring people who think differently, challenge the status quo, and push for alternatives. It’s tougher to evaluate, but it’s the only diversity that truly drives innovation and helps protects against failure. Already thinking about how your hiring practices are shaping your future? Let’s talk in the comments. #Groupthink #DiversityOfThought #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #BizPlansUK #StrategicPlanning #AvoidMistakes