According to multiple research studies, most people are conformists. We do certain things because we see others doing them.

 

Sometimes we conform even when we don’t exactly know if the things we are doing are good or make sense.

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“What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.” —Albert Einstein

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In the context of business, conformity can be the killer of significant progress, change, and innovation. Depending on the extent to which conformity permeates the culture, it can bring about a company’s slow death.

 

Change cannot happen when people are not willing to rock the boat.

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In this chapter, we explore the mind knots of Conformity and its close cousin, Groupthink, through the lens of Captains of All Hands and Minds—consensus-driven leaders.

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“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” —Mark Twain

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Navigating Conformity Bias

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Know your Knots

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Am I striking a balance between respecting group consensus and relying on my independent judgment when making a decision?

 

Do I recognize the influence of group dynamics and social pressure on my decisions, and am I vigilant about avoiding conformity bias in my organization?

 

Do I trust my own judgment and critical thinking skills when evaluating decisions, or am I overly swayed by the opinions of others?

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To Sail With or Against the Current? That Is the Question…

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“Most organizations prefer consensus and harmony over dissent and conflict.”

—Daniel Kahneman, Oliver Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein, Noise

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THE BOTTOM LINE

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When you can't beat them, you join them!

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The Strategy Equation:

Conformity Bias + Outcome Bias = 

The Inclusive Outcome Model

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Charts a new course steering conforming and consensus-driven captains into inclusive and decisive leaders.

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Learn how to harness the force of cognitive and emotional biases to work for you instead of against you.

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You'll find navigation techniques and strategies to manage Conformity Bias for the leader, and for the organization 

in Mind Knots

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Adapted from Mind Knots

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