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Devil's Advocate

Designate one person — or take the role yourself — as official critic before approving any major decision.

30 min Intermediate

Goal

Reduce groupthink that makes failed decisions look wise inside the meeting.

Steps

1

Before any major decision, assign a "devil's advocate" — one person only (not a committee).

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Expected Outcome

Immediate

Arguments against the decision emerge that no one would raise openly in a normal meeting.

Evidence base

School: Group Decision Theory / Yale Groupthink Studies

Founders: Irving Janis · Catholic Church canonical law (1972)

Popularized by Irving Janis in "Victims of Groupthink" (1972). Originated in Catholic canon law (advocatus diaboli in canonization). Used by CIA and Pentagon in risk analysis.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "Devil's Advocate" take?

This exercise takes about 30 minutes, practiced in a group in a Social format.

When will I notice the effect of "Devil's Advocate"?

Arguments against the decision emerge that no one would raise openly in a normal meeting. In the short term: Within 3 decisions using the frame, "false consensus" in your team drops noticeably.

Is "Devil's Advocate" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on Group Decision Theory / Yale Groupthink Studies (Irving Janis, Catholic Church canonical law (1972)). Popularized by Irving Janis in "Victims of Groupthink" (1972). Originated in Catholic canon law (advocatus diaboli in canonization). Used by CIA and Pentagon in risk analysis.

Is "Devil's Advocate" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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