Is Brainstorming the new Groupthink?

Drawing by Bailey Oliver

 

groupthink  [groop-thingk] noun

1. the practice of approaching problems or issues as matters that are best dealt with by consensus of a group rather than by individuals acting independently; comformity.

2. the lack of individual creativity, or a sense of personal responsibility, that is sometimes characteristic of group interaction.

brainstorming  [breyn-stawr-ming] noun

a conference technique of solving specific problems, amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas, etc. by unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.

Brainstorming is mostly seen as a positive element to problem solving, and teamwork has been a rapid trend in businesses, schools, and even church groups in the past few decades. But is brainstorming a new fad that is hindering our creative process? To an extent, I believe so. The overuse of brainstorming is enforcing the negative and harmful process of groupthink in many organizations. Groupthink can hinder and completely halt the creative process in an organization because team interaction pressures members into conforming to other group ideas in order to reach a speedy and wide consensus. Groupthink is a great hazard to group work and an organization overall because outcomes are sometimes purely based on results derived from peer pressure. Brainstorming can cause individuals to mimic others, shy away from expressing their own ideas and opinions for fear of rejection, and can cause employees to lose sight into their own creative processes. Just look at the difference in poor Mr. Jones above. After reading this article in the New York Times, my opinion on brainstorming’s correlation with the diminishment of creativity was only heightened.

Brainstorming can hurt the creative process.  Do we need teamwork? Yes. Teamwork is useful but only if individuals are allowed time before to explore their creative thoughts in private. Then individuals can contribute to a group.  Personally I find my best work is completed when I am alone with minimal interruption.  In a world where everyone is told to collaborate and work together in groups, we are putting the outcomes of our products in danger.  Introverts or shy people may have a genius idea but fear rejection in committees.  Some of our most marvel creations could have gone unnoticed if the creator was nervous to speak up during a brainstorming session.  In many companies today, brainstorming groups are put in place to quickly determine solutions or products.  The need for a quick remedy or answer can cause groups to feel pressure to achieve one idea quickly without giving full thought to the process.  Having different committees for every new project in an organization can hinder the company because it does not devote time for each individual to create.  Freedom is a necessary stimulant in order to have a creative and successful work environment. The freedom to create is essential to all organizations and brainstorming can hinder this process.
 
Do not fall into the fad that brainstorming creates.  Individuals and their creative process create.