Are You An Independent Thinker?

All of us believe that at some level we are independent thinkers. Well are we really? In many social situations the majority of people will look for someone who is similar or the same or who has shared views and beliefs. This is true in any social setting, whether it's a party, a meeting even seats on a train. We all look for the markers that say "this person is 'like me'".
Instinctively we do this because we all operate on an assumption that it's safe to be with people 'like us'.

In social psychology circles this is known as 'social proofing'. A term invented by Dr Robert Cialdini who has written books and done research about how we are influenced by and influence others.

The potent combination of 'social proofing' with another of his principles, 'authority' creates an instinctive response in our brains. 'Most people agree that Dr Robert Cialdini is the expert on influence.' See what I mean?

In organistions these instinctive types of behaviour can both help and hinder change. On the one hand they help it because when you know how to influence people at an unconscious level you stand a greater chance of individuals and groups 'allowing' the change to happen. On the other hand, it means that the individual thinking that sometimes identifies the pitfalls and downsides of any change are less likely to come to the surface.

So, the herd and pack mentality hard wired into our brains that tells us how to respond to our social setting makes it difficult for independent thinking - none of us wants to stand out from the crowd because we'll get picked off and left for dead.

There is the other side to this as well. If the group thinks that the changes are unfair or collectively don't want to buy into them, 'social proofing' means it will be harder for the converts to raise their hands.

Mindful change in organisations is about encouraging the paradox of independent thinking and social proofing. Understanding people and understanding people in groups is what business is all about: marketing, sales, R&D, teams, executive boards, IT and everything else in a business. As a leader in any business you must be an independent thinker with the knowledge that your inbuilt psychology made you want to be part of a group. Paradoxical hey!