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Conference tnpubs::tnpubs_vod

Title:tnpubs_vod
Notice:T&N Publications Valuing Diversity Notes
Moderator:TNPUBS::FORTEN
Created:Wed Jan 29 1992
Last Modified:Tue Sep 14 1993
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:25
Total number of notes:91

20.0. "Doing the right thing" by TNPUBS::HARRISON (JAH) Fri Jul 31 1992 17:41

OK,

So suppose you're sitting in a meeting, and some manager gets up
and makes a presentation: "We will build this XYZ product in three months,
and we will market it in such and such a manner.. blah blah blah..."

Now, you think to yourself "I may not be an engineer, and I may not be a
manager, but I've done some reading and I think this guy is WAY off the mark!"

What would you do? Why?
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20.1Speak up!TNPUBS::JONGSteveFri Aug 28 1992 18:4916
I saw a film about what a psychologist called the "Abilene" syndrome, 
or groupthink.  His example was drawn from his own life, from a night when
he, his wife, and his in-laws were sitting on the porch wondering where to go
for dinner.  The father-in-law suggested driving into Abilene, and they all
looked at each other, shrugged, and said OK.  Three hours later, they dragged
themselves back, bickering.  As it turned out, no one really wanted to go to
Abilene, not even the father-in-law!  But no one went against the perceived 
wishes of the group as a collective.

When you hear something in a meeting that you don't believe, I wonder if anyone
else shares your view?  One way to find out is by voicing your questions or
concerns.

Another aspect of the question is that diversity is good.  Different viewpoints
and experiences contribute to the strength of the decision-making process.
Diversity only manifests itself when diverse minds express themselves.
20.2global picture/bottom lineTNPUBS::PAINTERworlds beyond thisWed Sep 02 1992 18:1911
    
    Re.0
    
    If you feel the company will lose money on the product, then 
    by all means you should voice your opinion.
    
    How you go about it - whether confronting the manager directly
    in the meeting, or working offline - depends upon the situation 
    and the working environment at the time.
    
    Cindy 
20.3TNPUBS::FORTENLove, Thy will be done...Thu Sep 03 1992 13:296
    I think each of us has the right to voice a differing opinion.  
    How you go about that can be the issue.  Some managers do not like to
    be challenged in front of others while others openly encourage it.
    
    It depends on the situation and the manager, but I agree with Cyndi,
    it's our responsibility to see that DEC does not lose money needlessly.