Leaders understand the power of the Devil’s Advocate, someone who plays the role of chief doubter and critic in the discussion of an important decision. A Devil’s Advocate is not just a naysayer. The Advocate plays an important role by pointing out the downside, potential risks, and likely problems associated with a decision or strategy. Leaders sometimes designate a team member to play this role, although there is usually one colleague who does so without being asked.
In behavioural science, the concept of the "devil's advocate" is a strategic method to combat optimism bias. Pre-mortem method, is another way to enable the "devil's advocate". In this technique, before a project begins, you would ask the team the following question: "imagine we are six months in the future, and the project is a complete disaster! Take a two minutes and write down what went wrong". This foresight encourages proactive problem-solving and risk mitigation.
Conversely, "angel's advocacy" or the pro-mortem method, also similar to the PR/FAQ method used at Amazon, is a complementary approach. It focuses on envisioning positive outcomes and the successful completion of a project.
Both pre-mortem, and pro-mortem methods popularised by Gary Klein - a research psychologist famous for pioneering in the field of naturalistic decision making.
Flipping the narrative and reorienting from the negative to the positive is such a creative use of language. Am fascinated by neuro linguistic programming and this is a great example
Interestingly enough, last night my manager and I were discussing communication. The current department, I am in doesn't have much. Whereas the department I am from had over-communication. He emphasized the importance of finding that happy medium.
In behavioural science, the concept of the "devil's advocate" is a strategic method to combat optimism bias. Pre-mortem method, is another way to enable the "devil's advocate". In this technique, before a project begins, you would ask the team the following question: "imagine we are six months in the future, and the project is a complete disaster! Take a two minutes and write down what went wrong". This foresight encourages proactive problem-solving and risk mitigation.
Conversely, "angel's advocacy" or the pro-mortem method, also similar to the PR/FAQ method used at Amazon, is a complementary approach. It focuses on envisioning positive outcomes and the successful completion of a project.
Both pre-mortem, and pro-mortem methods popularised by Gary Klein - a research psychologist famous for pioneering in the field of naturalistic decision making.
Flipping the narrative and reorienting from the negative to the positive is such a creative use of language. Am fascinated by neuro linguistic programming and this is a great example
Interestingly enough, last night my manager and I were discussing communication. The current department, I am in doesn't have much. Whereas the department I am from had over-communication. He emphasized the importance of finding that happy medium.
Very similar to the content today.
Well put, and well done.
Thank you for your time.