Tips for Improving Firm Management

Source: Journal of Accountancy

Conventional wisdom says consensus is the best way for groups to reach decisions. The quest for consensus can, however, stifle independent thinking because people who challenge the majority can be unpopular. Dissension is deemed to be a form of negativity. The article quotes Alfred Sloan, former head of General Motors: “Gentlemen, I take it that we are all in complete agreement on the decision here. Then, I propose that we postpone further discussion . . . to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about.”

There may be a way to dissent without making waves. Be skeptical, but don’t try to sell your idea. Present it, then sit back and wait for someone else to pick up on it. It may not always happen, but when it does, the result can be momentous.

For the complete article, see Journal of Accountancy, March 2005, “Golden Business Ideas,” which can be found at http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/mar2005/gbi.htm.