An anonymous, reported by Ilead365 (http://www.ilead365.com/) spends some words on co-operation and different dynamics within a team. Among this is said that “[...] When everyone is in agreement, no one has really thought it through”.

Of course, co-operating within a team is one of the key to success. But be aware: is one of the success factors.

Working with a goal (more or less shared) gives you a boost in productivity that is an enabler for success.

But this sort of close correlation between team and individuals, has the embedded risk that people tend to allign thereself to leading ideas, no longer examining ideas critically.

Under this name (better known as “groupthinking”) fall many engraving of the same “evil” (joking…lol) stone that cover
a) focusing over a shared enemy (we as a team against all others): this concept doesn’t work fully, because people tend to accept same idea without discussing it, just because is the group one
b) accepting the “alfa” idea: this doesn’t work because also leaders can make errors and some discussion can be healthy also for better and winning ideas
c) unrealism: this is obviously not working, but supported from he group, the idea can be perceived by the group as real.

As a general behaviour, I see that frequently is easier for people to follow a thought and find ways to support it than thinking a brand new idea.
But effort is quite the same.
Is one of our society problems: little makers and lot of followers that refuse any discussion.

But unleashing this potential is not so difficult: try to stimulate the discussion by gradually forcing everyone to express idea.
I do it generally having people writing down separately their contribution and summarizing it on a flip board trying to categorize them if possible.
Then discussion starts little by little.