Don't have a "Bay of Pigs" in your office.
- waynefarran
- Jul 2, 2014
- 2 min read
“Groupthink Bias”
In early April 1961 John F Kennedy had a secret meeting with his key advisers in the Whitehouse to discuss the proposed invasion of Cuba by a brigade of some 1,400 exiled Cubans. The invasion was set to take place on that now infamous south coast area called “Bay of Pigs”.
The whole idea that the invasion and ultimate overthrow of Castro was achievable, was absurd to say the least; off the bat the first two supply ships to support the invasion was sunk by the Cuban Air Force, the other two ships turned around and bolted away to the US at full steam. By the third day of the invasion around 1,200 survivors were captured by Castro’s Army and were imprisoned.
A total military disaster by any standards.
What was even more amazing was that the top US advisors to the president as a group, totally underestimated Castro, his Air force and Army. They also agreed that upon a less then favourable result during the landing phase that the 1,400 strong invasion force could execute a withdrawal on foot from the Bay of Pigs to a group of caves high up in a mountain face over 100 miles away from the bay; only reachable by traveling through some of the most inhospitable swampland in the world. All this while being persued under active fire.
So what went wrong; could the smartest men in the US government at the time believe that this was achievable?
Some would say that this is a text book example of “Groupthink Bias”
An example of Groupthink Bias is when a group of people are together in a room and come to a let’s say “ill-conceived or less then logical” group agreement on a situation and or action that should take place.
This can happen when people in the group are not wanting to stand out by disagreeing or stating a different opinion from the majority in fear of looking weak, silly or not being part of the group’s decision. For that matter an individual may be holding back information that may make the group decision void of the desired outcome. A very dangerous Bias to say the least.
As in the case above; perhaps numerous people in the president’s key advisory group faced with the details of the overall plans had several reservations about the invasion; but did not want to stand apart from the group in the fear of looking let’s say “weak”.
Don’t have a Bay of Pigs in your office; avoid Groupthink!
In Business all opinions should be voiced during meetings; concern or constructive criticism should be welcomed at all times and encouraged. Staff should never feel that they will be viewed unfavourably if they are openly speaking their mind and raising their concerns in a constructive way.
Wayne~
