Complicate to Simplify

Intentionally complicate your in-group - challenge your in-group's thinking, feeling, acting, and living habits. Learn to recognize your in-group's own contradiction, nuance, and opposition - before you zero in on actionable decisions.

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Exercises

Choose Your Lift Level

What do you have capacity for today? Whether it's a light lift, or something a little heavier, taking a step is what counts.

5 minutes 20 minutes 2 hours

5 minutes

How Tight Are We?

Both the "tightness" and "looseness" of group norms have their benefits and consequences. Still, these days, when it comes to more liberal or conservative political in-groups, tightness often prevails and can become problematic.

So, is your in-group tighter or looser when it comes to politics?

Watch this short video of Michele Gelfand speaking on her research on tight vs. loose norms, and then reflect on the possible consequences of these norms for your own in-group.

Watch The Video

The Science Behind It

Research has shown that groups with tighter, versus looser, norms around how their members should and should not behave tend to control and punish members who break the rules and deviate from acceptable behavior. Think of the difference in the experiences of members of cults or Army units (tight groups) versus members of most garage bands or skater communities (loose norms).

20 minutes

Mix Things Up

Carefully practice complicating your in-group's thinking by identifying and respectfully voicing inconsistencies and internal contradictions within your group's positions and actions. You can write these down and keep them for yourself, but it would be best to present them and discuss them with someone in your in-group.

The Science Behind It

During times of protracted conflict, the pull toward conformity, coherence, and consistency that develops within the in-group can be a powerful force. Those who dare to challenge the group party line or speak out against members of the in-group in these times are often met with open anger, resentment, and shunning. However, research has long documented hyper-conformity problems in groups - including groupthink or chronic consensus forms of decision-making - and ineffective communication and problem-solving.

In contrast, the value of intentionally assigning members to the role of "Complicator" has shown to be an excellent safeguard against such premature simplification, especially when the appointed members are sufficiently trusted and respected within the group.

2 hours

Propose a Process of Constructive Controversy Over Fundamental Disagreements Within Your Group

Attempt to facilitate a process of constructive controversy over any substantial disagreements that come up within your group.

The five steps of the process are straightforward:

Split into two subgroups and prepare to debate pro vs. con sides of the disagreement.

Each subgroup then presents and advocates their position.

Next, discuss the issue.

Switch perspectives in the subgroups, prepare, and then debate.

Then finally, synthesize both positions into one. This process can be employed with minimal facilitation.

About Constructive Controversy

The Science Behind It

"Constructive controversy" is a well-studied process for discussing contentious issues. Studies suggest that it can move participants into a respectful and curious form of communication and problem-solving that helps develop a more detailed and thoughtful understanding of the problem and dilemmas and trade-offs inherent to any oversimplified remedy for complex challenges.

Daily Reflection

End the day by making a few notes on how to practice, practice, practice all of these in-group-complicating processes.

Set a daily reminder

Get daily exercise reminders on your phone or email throughout The Challenge to stay on track.

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