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Devil’s Advocate devil
Good
thoughts and ideas are often made even better by critical examination.
Consider using a devil's advocate in your meeting to encourage such
assessment.
Usually
the most experienced and highly respected person within a work group is given
this role. The role is to question and
challenge the thinking of the group to ensure that all possible viewpoints
are looked at - not just the commonly held or safe viewpoints.
Note:
People who are critical are oftentimes viewed as roadblocks to progress. So
it is important to confirm the devil's advocate role in your meeting. Here’s how to do it.
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Step
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Action
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1
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Ensure that all participants understand
that the role of the devil's advocate is to:
a.
Test the validity of the group’s thinking by
challenging (not criticizing) ideas.
b.
Think like the opposition in order to predict
competitors thinking and prepare counter strategies.
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2
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Assign
the devil’s advocate role to one or two people, or, divide the team into
two groups, - one that will serve as devil’s advocate and one that will be
the working group.
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3
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Have
the working group list solutions to the situation at hand, clearly
identifying assumptions, facts, ideas, etc.
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4
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This
list is then submitted to the Devil’s Advocate group or individual.
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5
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The
Devil’s Advocate tries to uncover everything amiss or inaccurate and
develops a list challenging the work group’s thinking.
Note:
Challenges need to be valid. This is why the role of devil’s advocate
requires experienced and highly regarded thinkers.
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6
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Based
on the feedback of the devil's advocate, have the working group revisit its
original proposal/ideas/solutions and makes refinements as necessary.
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7
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Depending
on time and importance, try reversing the group’s roles.
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Adapted
from various sources including: Morgan
D. Jones, The Thinker’s Toolkit
(New York, Times Book)
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