Last year I wrote about 'tilting at windmills'.A recent book, reviewed in the Western Councillor journal, adds another dimension to the value of the 'outsider' in decision-making. This book (Sway:The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behaviour, by Ori and Rom Brafman) talks about how apparently logical thinking in decision-making can be subverted or "swayed" by unseen behavioural forces.
In part, the authors attribute this to what they call the"chameleon effect", in which people are inclined to behave in a way that fits with the opinions or expectations of those around them.
The converse of this, of course, is those who are willing to say when the emperor has no clothes - the dissenter. According to the authors, the dissenter has a very important place in decision-making processes by forcing the majority to refine their positions and raise the quality of their analysis.
Anthony Quahe, Director of Civic Legal, Solicitors, to whom I am indebted for his review of the book, ends his review with the following question:
With such an array of behavioural influences, it would be worthwhile Councils reflecting frequently on the hidden behavioural forces behind (their) decision-making processes.
And, no, I haven't read the book yet - but I do have it on order - watch this space!
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