Herd-Mentality: To Avoid Responsibility

Have you ever stayed quiet in a meeting because you did not want to come across as being unsupportive of the group's efforts? 
If so, you have become a follower and there is a term for this suffering: “herd-mentality.”

Herd-mentality is when everyone in a group begins to think alike; it is when people make decisions as a caucus discouraging individuality and initiative.It is when the group consensus cancels out common sense, alternatives or criticism.

Herd-mentality occurs when a group has a strong and persuasive leader, when it has a high level of unity or when it has intense pressure from the outside.

So, here is my thought:

It is essential to stay away from the herd-mentality; lack of conflict or opposition results in poor decisions because alternatives are never fully analyzed.

Be willing to stand out; you won’t lead the pack by sticking with the multitude, you will lead by daring to do things differently.

Develop your own opinion; learn about your choices so you can make intelligent and well-informed decisions.

Just because everyone is agreeing, it doesn’t mean they are right; take time to make decisions, ask questions and evaluate your options.

Do not be concerned about what the rest of the people think about you; choose what is best for you! 

Keep in mind: herd-mentality is an easy way to avoid personal responsibility; most importantly, it takes guts to walk away from a herd!

“If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ― George S. Patton Jr.

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