In my years of observing high-performing security teams, I’ve noticed a counterintuitive pattern: the most effective ones aren’t always the most harmonious. In fact, teams with built-in tension often produce more innovative and robust security solutions. Here’s why embracing productive conflict might be the key to strengthening your security posture.
The Problem with GroupThink
NASA’s investigation into the 1986 Challenger disaster provides one of the most well-documented cases of how organizational harmony can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The Rogers Commission Report revealed that engineers who had concerns about the O-rings’ performance in cold weather were present, but felt unable to effectively challenge the prevailing group consensus. This tragic example, while not from cybersecurity, demonstrates how even highly skilled technical teams can fall victim to groupthink.
