Download - Groupthink
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
Why Groups of Smart People Sometimes Make Bad Strata Management Decisions
STM Client Presentation March 2013
Groupthink!
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
What is Groupthink?
Source: Irving L Janis, Groupthink 1982
“A deterioraLon of mental
efficiency, reality tesLng
and moral judgement that
results from ‘in group’
pressures”
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
Faults That Lead to Groupthink
Groupthink
No Procedures
No ImparLal Leadership
Homogeneity
Insolated by Apathy
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
1st Sign – OveresLmates Power & Morality
“UnquesLoned belief in a
group’s inherent
morality…. ignoring ethical
and moral consequences…
taking extreme risks”
Source: Irving L Janis, Groupthink 1982
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
2nd Sign – Closed Minded
“The group comes up with
excuses for, or arguments
that dismiss informaLon
that might make them
rethink a decision”
Source: Irving L Janis, Groupthink 1982
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
3rd Sign – Pressure to Conform
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
Avoiding Strata Groupthink § Find imparLal management to guide decision making
§ Establish procedures
§ Embrace diversity of commiaee membership
§ Fight apathy in your strata community
§ Plan for succession
© Copyright 2013 Teys Lawyers www.teyslawyers.com.au
About the presenter - Michael Teys is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of TEYS Lawyers. He has a Bachelor of Laws and practices exclusively in the area of strata title law. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Community Association Lawyers. He was formerly an Adjunct Lecturer with Charles Sturt University. He appears weekly on SKY News Business Channel's Property Success with Margaret Lomas and is a regular panellist for the property edition of Your Money, Your Call for the same channel. You can read Michael’s blog at www.michaelteys.com and follow him on Twitter at @MichaelTeys.com
Teys Lawyers practice nationally in strata title law representing owners corporations, bodies corporate and apartment owners. The firm’s practice groups include building defects, strata community disputes, strata titles property law, by-laws and levy collection.
Subscribe for their free e-newsletter StrataSpace and find out more about them at www.teyslawyers.com.au
About the Presenter