ABSTRACT
Defend against Personal Biases: You need to challenge your own thinking. Invite dissent and disagreement. Encourage dialogue and debate. The investment billionaire Warren Buffet, the legendary “Oracle of Omaha,” defends against his own biases in making large acquisitions by appointing an “advocate against the deal,” who is well rewarded only if the deal does not go through. However, if you punish dissent and opposing opinions, you will immediately create a climate of false harmony. Your people will tell you only what you want to hear. Remember, you want honest feedback. That includes the feedback you may not like to hear, but that you really need to hear. So don’t shoot the messenger.
