Hmm... Think for Yourself

Today’s Topics

• The Power in Collaboration and the Danger in Groupthink 🤔

• Everyone Thinks They’re Right 🤔

  4 Mins Read Time

The Power in Collaboration and the Danger in Groupthink 🤔
By Jo

There’s real power in collaboration. When people come together with a shared vision, incredible things can happen. Progress accelerates. Ideas expand. Innovation takes shape in ways no single person could’ve achieved alone.

But here’s the thing — collaboration only works when individuality still has room to breathe.

More often than not, there are others who think like you, move like you, and dream in the same direction as you. That’s a beautiful thing. It reminds us we’re not alone in what we’re building or believing. But sometimes, that same alignment can become a trap.

How influenced are we by the ideas of others?
Do we hold certain beliefs because they truly make sense to us — or simply because they’re popular?

That’s where groupthink creeps in. It’s the silent voice that says, “Just go along with it.” It’s the pressure to conform rather than question. And over time, it can slowly dull the edges of critical thinking — the very thing that sparks growth and creativity in the first place.

Groupthink can be comfortable, even feel safe. But if it goes unchecked, it can lead to some of the worst outcomes — both individually and collectively. When everyone thinks the same, no one truly thinks.

So yes, collaboration is powerful. But the power doesn’t come from agreeing on everything — it comes from bringing different perspectives to the same table, challenging each other, and growing from the tension that disagreement creates.

Because the strongest teams, the most creative movements, and the boldest breakthroughs are born not from one idea repeated — but from many ideas refined.

The Golden Rule: FACT check everything, QUESTION anyone and everything, while doing it in a respectful manner.

Everyone Thinks They’re Right 🤔

By Marcus

I’m not sure if kids still use these, but do you remember playing with a kaleidoscope growing up?

A kaleidoscope is a toy that uses mirrors and light to reflect different patterns. You rotate the tube, and new shapes appear like magic.

The beauty of this toy was that it allowed you to share patterns you liked with others—and vice versa. I remember the interaction going something like this:

“Cool, look what happens when I turn the tube this way!”
The other kid would look and show me their favorite.
“That’s cool too!”

End of scene.

And we’d move on, each knowing the other’s favorite. No drama.

There wasn’t a right or wrong here—it was just a simple exchange of interests and ideas.

But what I’ve increasingly noticed is that this once-novel concept of respectfully sharing ideas has become more like this:

“My view is the best view. Period. Point blank.”

War of the Words

Lately, it feels like having a conversation with someone who isn’t open to the idea that their opinion might not be 100% “right” or “true” is a waste of time.

There’s a difference between a healthy debate and an argument.

Tribalism and hyper-polarization are center stage—but you don’t have to attend the show. Sometimes it’s better to disengage when you already know how the conversation ends.

This takes composure and the ability to be okay with someone being upset because you don’t want to argue.

Let them be.

You may discover it brings a sense of peace to your life when you avoid these kinds of discussions altogether.

And remember—not engaging doesn’t mean you’re right in your own opinions. It’s simply an act of protecting your energy from conflict that offers little return.

Time Will Tell

Proving your point isn’t always the best policy. Sometimes, it’s wiser to take a hands-off approach.

I can recall moments in my life when, with time, I learned through experience that I was wrong. In hindsight, I wish I’d said nothing and just let situations play themselves out.

There’s something innate in humans that drives us to want others to think how we think and believe what we believe. That’s why debates can feel so heated and be so entertaining.

But at the end of the day, there are over eight billion people on this planet, each seeing the world through their own unique lens. It’s unrealistic to expect that everyone will see your truth as their truth.

Pick your battles wisely—and don’t be afraid to let time do some of the heavy lifting.

🎃