Unleashing Collective Wisdom: Using “Wise Crowds” to Supercharge your Leadership
In today’s fast-paced environment, leaders are continually confronted by new and unfamiliar situations. This means that they are also looking for guidance on how to deal with these novel challenges. When you are facing something you’ve not encountered before, where do you turn for help? examples of organizational change
I’d like to introduce you to an often overlooked approach. Peer Consulting.
It is simple, powerful, and has the potential to revolutionize how you tap into the collective intelligence and support of your fellow leaders.
What is Peer Consulting?
First, it goes by different names. Peer Consulting. Peer Coaching. Mastermind Group. And even Wise Crowds. examples of organizational change
I like the term “Wise Crowds” because it speaks to the idea that the collective insight and wisdom of the group is greater than that of any individual person!
What these have in common is that they involve a group consultation process that allows a group of peers to harness their collective expertise and creativity.
How It Works
In a Wise Crowds session, participants take turns being the “client,” presenting a challenge or question to the group. The rest of the participants then act as consultants, offering their insights, experiences, and potential solutions. This process can be repeated, allowing each member to benefit from the group’s collective wisdom.
And this need not take a lot of time. Here’s a process that I’ve used with leaders many times, and it delivers great results each time!
Each person requesting a consult (the Client) gets 20 minutes broken down as follows:
- The Client presents the challenge and request for help. 3 min.
- The Consultants ask the client clarifying questions. 3 min.
- (The Client then turns their back to the Consultants – or turns their camera off and mutes their microphone – and gets ready to take notes)
- The Consultants have a discussion amongst themselves about the Client’s challenge. They consider questions for the Client, draw insights from their own relevant experience, and offer advice and recommendations for the Client to consider. 10 min.
- (The Client remains quiet throughout this period, listening and taking notes)
- The Client returns to the group and provides feedback to the Consultants. They share what has been useful and insightful from the discussion. They also describe their take aways and experiments they plan to run. 4 min.
Why It Works
What makes Wise Crowds so effective is its ability to: examples of organizational change
1. Tap into diverse perspectives and experiences
2. Foster rapid problem-solving and innovation
3. Develop individuals’ capacity for self-reflection and growth
4. Strengthen peer relationships and support networks
Benefits for Leaders
Hosting or participating in a Wise Crowds process results in:
- Enhanced clarity and decision-making skills
- Improved ability to ask for and receive help
- Deeper inquiry and consulting capabilities
- Rapid formation of supportive relationships
- Cumulative learning through multiple consultations
- Increased transparency and trust within the team
Why not give it a try and witness the power of collective wisdom to supercharge your impact as a leader?
Wise Crowds can also be used in your teams as part of a peer group learning program or to tackle issues in managing change. Liberating Structures outlines several approaches that can be used in these settings.
Curious about how you can use Peer Consulting and Wise Crowds in your organization? Learn more about how I support Groups.