Wiser

CONCLUSION

The Bright Future

For identifiable reasons, groups often perform poorly. In some cases, groups do not merely fail to correct the errors of their members; they actually amplify those errors. In this way, the behavioral biases displayed by individuals are replicated, and often even aggravated, within groups. It’s a big mistake to think that when a group’s individual members are prone to error, the group as a whole will correct those errors.

Wise groups and their leaders are constantly alert to these risks and attempt to change people’s incentives. They do not ask for happy talk. Smart leaders are anxious. They help to elicit information by silencing themselves and by allowing other group members to talk, even if those members have low ...