Collective Folly

Who do you like more – a conformist or a non-conformist? Dictionary defines conformist as – ‘A person who uncritically or habitually conforms to the customs, rules, or styles of a group’. And the one who doesn’t is obviously the non-conformist.

Recently one of my friends got scorned from her close relatives because she chose to be a non-conformist. She chose the welfare and safety of her family over social norms and guidelines. She chose to be brave, question what was wrong and unacceptable and not accept a system that was lacked logic and character. In the end, faced with indifference, she chose to step-away with her family for their good, causing no harm to other ‘conforming’ relatives. Despite this she was disparaged and accused of insulting her relatives & causing embarrassment to them. Her only fault was that she chose to question and not comply with the ‘herd’. She chose to be a ‘non-conformist’. Yet I hail her courage. She is my heroine.

Our society likes conformists for they cause little discomfort, even if the comfort thus derived is self-destructing.

It was on September 15, 2008 that Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. A more than 100 year old firm, with a huge reputation in the market, collapsed and with $639 billion in assets and $619 billion in debt, Lehman's bankruptcy filing was the largest in history, as its assets far surpassed those of previous bankrupt giants such as WorldCom and Enron. Lehman was the fourth-largest U.S. investment bank at the time of its collapse, with 25,000 employees worldwide.

What led to the collapse of this giant? Lehman was perhaps one of the biggest victims of the US subprime crisis. However its failure is mainly attributed to gross miscalculations done in terms of acquisitions and policy overlook that caused this colossal collapse. Lehman was let down by its own people and their deeds. The decision to massage the bottom-line without looking at sustainable growth cost the firm dearly. Lehman had the reputation to attract and pockets to afford the best talents from all over the world. Yet it failed! All the knowledge, skill and experience could not be of any use! The question is why? Was it greed? Was it shortsightedness? Or was it a mad-rush to push profits? May be all of these… But more than anything it was perhaps the ‘conformist’ approach. Despite the fact that it had the best talent in its fold, the crème-de-la-crème working for it, probably the conformist approach failed them as a unit. No one disagreed with what was wrong or may be the ones who did their voices were quelled by the ones for whom conforming was the norm.

‘Collective Folly’ originates from a conformist approach. The inability or reluctance to question accepted reality or norm often leads to doom. Would organization like to have more ‘conformist’ employees? Do ‘conformist’ make good employees? Would you like to have conformist as your manager or supervisor?

The conformist ‘Yes’ men and women may be excellent in compliance but lack ingenuity & creativity. Organizations populated by such people would in all probability lack innovation and wither in the face of real competition.

The right to question and differ is at the heart of innovation and engagement. Conformists’ mental models are most damaging for societies & organizations. Unfortunately, however our society likes them and promotes them.