How groupthink and social loafing undermine creativity
In the world of corporate strategy, brainstorming sessions are often heralded as the ultimate creative tool—a space where diverse minds come together to spark innovation and shape the future. But beneath the surface, these sessions can sometimes undermine the very creativity they’re designed to foster. Instead of the free flow of fresh ideas, participants may find themselves trapped by groupthink and social loafing, resulting in uninspired, predictable solutions.
Sujiv Nair, GCHRO, Resustainability, describes this paradox well: “Group ideation has its positive points and also less-than-positive points. One positive is that it enhances inclusion—everyone feels involved, and many thoughts can be combined to create a better idea. But the downside is that people fear their thoughts may be judged by others, sometimes making them reluctant to share their views.”
This duality reveals a fundamental truth: while collaboration can create a powerful synergy, psychological barriers can often stifle originality. Rather than bold, disruptive ideas, what emerges from group brainstorming are cautious thoughts shaped by fear of judgment and a desire to conform.
“Group ideation has its positive points and also less-than-positive points. One positive is that it enhances inclusion—everyone feels involved, and many thoughts can be combined to create a better idea. But the downside is that people fear their thoughts may be judged by others, sometimes making them reluctant to share their views.”
Sujiv Nair, G-CHRO, Resustainability
The danger of groupthink is especially insidious. It happens when people align their ideas with the majority, not necessarily because they agree, but because challenging the dominant voices feels uncomfortable. Shaleen Manik, CHRO, Transsion India, explains, “Individuals may hesitate to share ideas for fear of dismissal, while dominant personalities can suppress dissenting opinions. When certain ideas seem too strong to challenge, participation declines, especially in homogeneous groups where similar perspectives limit the potential for innovation.”
In this environment, dissenting ideas die before they can take root, and the group falsely believes they’ve reached a consensus. Innovation fades in favour of harmony, and the creative spark is extinguished. The key to avoiding this, as experts like Manik suggest, is to foster a space where all ideas—no matter how unusual—are given air to breathe. Structured techniques, like Edward de Bono’s “six thinking hats,” can ensure that discussions remain balanced and inclusive, offering equal opportunities for all to contribute.
“Individuals may hesitate to share ideas for fear of dismissal, while dominant personalities can suppress dissenting opinions. When certain ideas seem too strong to challenge, participation declines, especially in homogeneous groups where similar perspectives limit the potential for innovation.”
Shaleen Manik, CHRO, Transsion India
But groupthink isn’t the only challenge. There’s also social loafing, where participants in a group setting simply put in less effort, assuming others will pick up the slack. Nair points out that “people often lose their train of thought while waiting to speak, and instead of sharing their own ideas, they tag onto others’ ideas.” This reduces the richness of the session, as unique ideas get drowned out by the stronger voices.
To counteract this, reducing group size and creating clear expectations for participation can help. In smaller groups, the sense of responsibility grows, and individuals feel more compelled to engage, knowing their contribution is essential to the outcome.
Interestingly, one of the most effective ways to bypass these pitfalls is to start with individual ideation. Nair illustrates this approach, saying, “When I hold training sessions, one of the things that enhances impact is to first ask participants to work on the question individually, followed by group work. This helps enhance novelty and synergy.” By encouraging team members to brainstorm independently before group discussions, companies ensure that fresh, uninfluenced ideas make it to the table.
Structured brainstorming techniques also help rein in the chaos that often comes with group ideation. Methods such as SCAMPER and mind mapping guide participants through a more focused process, keeping creativity from veering into conventional or uninspired territory. Mind mapping, for example, provides a visual layout of ideas, helping participants expand on complex thoughts. “Mind mapping gives an overview of a large topic in a concise format that’s enjoyable for the eye and brain,” says Manik. SCAMPER, on the other hand, pushes participants to rethink existing concepts by systematically altering their key elements, which can lead to innovative breakthroughs.
For any organisation, understanding whether these techniques are effective requires measuring their impact. The novelty and feasibility of ideas, along with metrics like participation rates and the diversity of contributions, can give insights into which methods yield the best results. Manik stresses that training individuals in these structured techniques helps ensure that certain voices don’t dominate, creating a more equitable environment for idea-sharing.
By comparing outcomes from individual ideation and group brainstorming, companies can better understand which approach fosters greater creativity. The data can then be used to refine processes and strike a balance between collective and independent thinking.
While group ideation has its merits, particularly in fostering collaboration, it can easily become a creativity killer if left unchecked. But with strategies like individual idea generation, structured brainstorming techniques, and regular assessments, companies can turn brainstorming sessions into true engines of innovation. The key is to strike that delicate balance between harnessing the power of the group while ensuring that each individual’s creativity is given its own moment to shine.
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