Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone agrees on a product decision, but you have a nagging feeling that something is wrong? Maybe you are afraid to speak up, or maybe you think you are the only one who sees the problem. If so, you might be a victim of groupthink.
Groupthink is a common psychological phenomenon that occurs when people in a group conform to the dominant opinion, even if it is irrational or risky. And this often leads to poor decisions, missed opportunities, and costly mistakes.
One way to avoid groupthink is to use the 10th man rule. It’s a fascinating idea that I first noticed in the movie “World War Z”, where Brad Pitt’s character asked the Head of the Isreali spy agency how they were so prepared for the zombie invasion. While that was fiction, this rule has been used in both military and business contexts.
The basic idea is this: when a group of people is faced with a difficult decision or situation, the 10th man is responsible for taking a contrarian viewpoint. This means that if the other nine people in the group are in agreement, the 10th man is responsible for looking at the situation from a different perspective and finding flaws in the prevailing opinion.
Historical perspective: In the early days of the Israeli state, the army’s intelligence department failed to predict a surprise attack by the Arab armies in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Afterward, a new doctrine was adopted that called for a “devil’s advocate” position to be taken in all situations. This was later refined to the 10th man concept.
How you can apply it: It’s important to train yourself to be able to analyse differing arguments objectively. Train yourself to challenge the prevailing opinion, to ask the tough questions and find the flaws in the current strategy. This should not be for the sake of being a critic, but to ensure that the best strategies from each opinion is covered.
Tip 1: Always look for the opposite viewpoint: As a product manager, it’s essential to consider all angles and potential objections to your ideas. Instead of just accepting the majority opinion, try to find an opposing viewpoint and consider the potential implications.
Tip 2: Encourage dissenting opinions: To truly implement the concept of the 10th man, we need to foster an environment where dissenting opinions are welcome. Encourage your team to share their opinions, even if they disagree with the majority. It’s through healthy debate that we can identify potential problems and improve our ideas.
In conclusion, the Israeli concept of the 10th man is a valuable tool for product managers. By having someone on your team who is willing to take a contrarian viewpoint, you can ensure that all perspectives are being considered and identify potential risks before they become major issues. So, next time you’re making a difficult decision, be sure to seek out your 10th man! And as we say in Nigeria, “No condition is permanent, especially when you have a different perspective.”
