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The Hazards of Agreement

Posted by Jennifer Lindner

Was it strategy or serendipity that placed Collaborative Leadership as our first required class in the MSC program? I haven’t sought out a formal answer, but it certainly feels strategic, because a large part of this course is randomly-assigned team activities, meaning we have an embedded opportunity every Saturday to get to know new people in our cohort. The other boon of these incredibly engaging team sessions is that they bring to life key concepts on how people work together (and don’t) as a result of behavioral biases.

I can’t describe these in-class activities in detail, because that would ruin legitimate Aha! Moments for future MSCers. But I would like to share one of my favorite new behavioral biases. (I’m in the creative field, so I collect these things like Beanie Babies.)

Meet the common knowledge effect. Actually, you already know it well if you’ve ever participated in any kind of meeting, ever. You just might not have known it by its formal moniker. Defined, it’s the demonstration ″that an irrelevant factor—the number of members who know a particular piece of information—can affect group decisions. If a piece of unshared information is crucial to making a correct decision, the result may be an incorrect decision.″

msc_blog_1In effect, pieces of common knowledge tend to dominate discussion time and disproportionately drive decisions. Person A shares something that’s familiar to both Person B and Person C, who express their agreement, and suddenly there’s the hopeful glimmer of consensus on the horizon. This effect is compounded as more of this “common knowledge” is shared out and validated to by other group members. Unique (“unshared”) information—something only known by Person C, for example—may be less likely to be contributed to the discussion if it doesn’t follow the trend of the common knowledge. Or, if Person C does speak up, their unique knowledge holds less weight in the decision-making process compared any piece of common knowledge.

It’s all in the (bad) math. A piece of common knowledge appears to get “multiplied” by the factor of the individuals who share it. Unique knowledge (which only has one voice behind it) is the underdog by magnitudes, depending how many people are in the meeting and just how common their common knowledge is!

You can imagine how this effect must pose an invisible but real barrier to innovation in organizations as they habitually reconfirm and recycle what’s already commonly known. So how do we save ourselves from the feel-good spirit of easy agreement and invite shifts in the conversation that might seem deviant–or even, well, unproductive? 

Soul-searching questions–but they’re what I signed up for. 

Jennifer Lindner

MSC Class of 2017

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Categories: experiences, MSC, Northwestern

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I Look Forward To My Saturdays???

Posted by Madhurya Manohar

Back in January, when I first decided to apply to the MSC Communication program, I would refer to this blog often to get an idea of what exactly I was signing up for. One alum said “I look forward to my Saturdays” and I remember really questioning that statement. What about a 9-5 schedule on the most wonderful day of the week was worth looking forward to? After having a successful first day this past Saturday, I completely understand what she meant.

For an international student having just graduated from college a year ago, the MSC Communication program appears daunting on paper: the subject matter, the experiences your classmates are bringing to the program, and the real worldliness of it all. However, within the first hour of our core class, Leading Collaboration with Professor Leslie DeChurch, I was comfortably settled and excited for the ball to roll. My classmates are professionally diverse, of different ages and hometowns, and are among the nicest people I have met. We were thrown into teams from the get-go and had a great time maneuvering our activities: building the tallest tower with spaghetti and figuring out supplies to take with us if we were stranded on the moon. The bustle of teamwork made the three hours fly by.

Of course, it would be unfair to not mention the lunch hour where we got to socialize over great food. Given the professional emphasis of the program, I expected to have our interactions be defined by where we work and what we do. With only internships under my belt, that can be a different road to maneuver. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t the case at all. Everyone is interested in learning about you beyond your professional capacity and whether you have had 20 years of experience or you are just starting out in the real world, everyone is on the same page and is keen to learn. It helps that our classmates also have a sweet tooth.

My elective for this quarter, Foundations of Strategic Communication Management with Professor Randall Iden, rounded off a great first day. In our first session, we learned the importance of crafting good mission statements, which, in all honesty, I had always taken to be a string of bubblegum words to promote a company’s image. It was much more interesting than I thought it would be. Teamwork beckoned again and we set to work on crafting a concise and all-encompassing mission statement for the course that we will adhere to for the rest of the quarter.

As an international student, we also attend a seminar on Wednesdays. It’s a cosy class—just 11 of us—learning how to use data to make informed decisions. In a world with so much data, learning how to discern the important numbers and how to communicate them effectively will definitely come in handy. In our first class, we learned about how fraudulent scientific research can wreak havoc in a community. Our point of discussion was a research paper in 1998 that linked the MMR vaccine to the incidence of autism in children. Wakefield Lancet’s paper was retracted around 2002 but continues to trigger a debate about vaccinations. It goes to show that something as complex and far-reaching as scientific research should be subjected to governance.

All in all, a Saturday well spent and a great first week of classes!

Madhurya Manohar

MSC Class of 2017

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Categories: International Spotlight

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My First Week Of Grad School

Posted by Lauren Rein

As I look back on my first Saturday in the MSC program, I have a few takeaways.

  • The day goes by quickly. I heard that at orientation. I didn’t believe them.
  • Just as the MSC program is accelerated, I got to figure out people’s personalities and know their names…QUICKLY.
  • The Leading Collaboration core class has already opened my eyes on the distinction between groups (of individuals) and teams. Teams can bring up an individual performance and the “best member” can drive the performance up but their individual score may drop!
  • The Foundations of Strategic Communication Management elective class has fueled my fascination with mission statements. We are writing one for the class, in groups, and will collectively decide on the best one. We will hold each other accountable each week – are we meeting the mission?
  • I will take advantage of the school’s quick bandwidth and download readings in advance so I am prepared.
  • That being written, I don’t think I am going to bring my laptop to class. I learn better by writing down my notes and gives me one less thing to carry throughout the day.
  • Did you know the school library is open until 3am Monday through Thursday?!
  • My free time has slowly evaporated and is spent reading, writing, playing the guitar, or wondering if I am supposed to be doing something else.
  • I will not be hungry….We get breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Yet, I wasn’t tired!
  • Being a grad student is not an excuse to stop exercise. With my Fitbit in tow, I will make sure I get those 10,000 steps in on class day!

by Lauren Rein

MSC class of 2017

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Categories: Elective, experiences, finding balance, Grad School, MSC

Building Blocks of the Elevator Pitch

Posted by Lauren Rein

Welcome to orientation! Faculty director and Associate Professor, Michelle Shumate, PhD led the first workshop about the Elevator Pitch.

Pre-orientation, we were asked to prepare and memorize a 30 second Elevator Introduction. The content is a short, clear, and impressive snippet of what you would say to a leader in a company you currently work for or want to work for.

Each of us randomly paired up, in a series of lightening rounds, and presented our pitch. In the center of the room on the screen, there was an image of a large digital timer counting down the 30 seconds.

After each round, one classmate delivered his/her pitch and Michelle provided helpful feedback.

Effective pitches have a goal, showcase your personality, and pace slow with a natural flow. A passionate pitch shows authenticity and makes it easier for people to connect with you. Furthermore, specificity adds credibility. “Say it if it’s true,” Michelle declared.

Why slow down? Given the half-minute timeframe, it is natural to want to speed up and cram everything into the pitch. Slow down and you will be perceived as more confident. Rushed? Edit the material or take a breath.

Did you know that non-verbal communication is 70% of a first impression? Eye contact is a big deal. Move your eyes every five to ten seconds and please don’t stare.

Nervous? Take a breath and regroup. Emphasize a significant word by raising the pitch of your voice.

Understandably, the first round was the hardest. There is the nerve factor, the reality of the clock ticking nearby, and the symphonic noise of 33 people giving a pitch at the same time.  As the rounds rolled on, the pitch became easier and morphed into a solid introduction and one I will use going forward.

Lauren Rein
MSC Class of 2017

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Categories: communication strategy and competitive advantage, Communications Insights, MSC, networks, professional development

Cold Call

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

Recently, I found another hidden gem being a student in the MSC Program! I was writing a paper for my Corporate Citizenship course about Chick-fil-A’s response to the Terrorist Shooting in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. After reading many articles, I was still pondering some questions that were unanswered in the research I had conducted. I decided to cold call the Chick-fil-A restaurant and ask to speak with the restaurant manager.

I have to say, it was a little strange calling a restaurant to conduct an interview rather than place an order. When a Chick-fil-A employee answered the phone, I introduced myself as a Graduate Student at Northwestern University and explained that I was working on an assignment for class. The employee handed off the phone to the restaurant manager who went back to the office where it was quieter.

Once she was situated, I re-introduced myself and the reason I was calling.

The restaurant manager was very open to answering my questions and seemed happy to help. Since I Cold-Calling-2_0had written my questions down ahead of time, I was well-prepared for the interview, even though I wasn’t sure it was going to happen.

After the interview was complete, I thanked her for her time and the very thorough answers she provided me. (Of course she said “My pleasure” as is customary for Chick-fil-A employees.) She then mentioned that her little brother is going to be a Freshman this fall at Northwestern! I found this to be a most pleasant coincidence.

Upon further reflection, I realized that we have a unique opportunity to speak with high level personnel because we are Northwestern Graduate Students. When we introduce ourselves that way, it makes sense that people are more likely to speak with us because they recognize Northwestern’s brand name or that we are students who need help on an assignment.

The moral of this story is: If you’re a member of Northwestern University and want to speak with someone, use it to your advantage and contact them.

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Categories: MSC Value

Personal Citizenship

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

One of the assignments we had in our Corporate Citizenship class was to write about our own citizenship. This could have been for an organization we belong to, our national citizenship or another form of citizenship we have. Our professor gave us permission to write about our citizenship in any context which was certainly advantageous.

The idea of citizenship is composed of three “themes” or parts. The first aspect is Status, which is the basic defining characteristic of what it means to be a citizen. The second is Entitlements, which contains the benefits one receives from being a citizen. The third is the Responsibilities a citizen has. (Essentially, what are the expectations and requirements that a person needs to do to be a citizen of the larger entity?)

This assignment challenged me to look at my personal citizenship and see how actively involved I am in the group(s) that I participate in. I listed out all the benefits I receive and the various responsibilities or expectations that I need to meet. Upon reflection, I realized that I can be a better citizen than I have been.
Through this exercise, we can now evaluate a Corporation’s citizenship by comparing it to our own citizenship.

Ultimately, a Corporation has many responsibilities, but determining what are mandatory and voluntary is where things become tricky.
It’s important to remember that Corporations are inhuman. We are human and thus, we have the benefit of a conscience that encourages us to act in a manner that is ethical and responsible. To make a Corporation act socially responsible, it will require igniting and unifying the consciences of its Shakeholders.

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Categories: Corporate Citizenship, MSC

Introduction to Corporations

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

I am currently enrolled in the Corporate Citizenship course and am absolutely loving it. Yesterday, we received an introduction and overview of what a corporation is. For someone who has only worked for Non-Profit Organizations, this was a fascinating lesson. I felt like Lewis and Clark exploring the Louisiana Purchase. (I always knew the land was there, but I am now experiencing it for the first time.)

Corporate-AmericaThere is so much I can write about, but what really struck me was the idea of Corporate Personhood. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution was adopted to give equal rights to citizens and more pointedly, African Americans after the Civil War. However, the U.S. Supreme Court also gave certain rights and protection to Corporations under the 14th Amendment.

It’s strange to think that an inhuman creation is given rights and protection, but nevertheless, Corporations operate with legal rights and responsibilities today.
So, if a Corporation has legal rights and responsibilities like that of a human, does it have social responsibilities as well? Does the Corporation owe the community anything? Should it try to preserve the environment or natural resources? Is it obligated to make a profit or keep inflation down for its customers in difficult economic times?

These are some of the questions we will be tackling this quarter.
With the presidential election coming soon, the political landscape is more polarizing than ever. I expect this will only add fuel to the fire and make our examination of Corporations even more stimulating.
I can’t wait for our next class!

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Categories: Corporate Citizenship

Summer School – Here We Go!

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

Normally, one doesn’t think of “Summer School” in a favorable view. Growing up, I dreaded the idea of going to school or doing homework in June, July and August. However, now that I am working full-time for a few years, I’ve grown accustomed to working the summer months.

In fact, I’m actually looking forward to the final quarter.

I was originally registered for an elective course that I did not want to take. Thankfully, our MSC Admissions Counselors are great and were able to swap me with someone else so now I’m enrolled in a course with topics that pique my interest. I’m so thankful our program is staffed with genuine, caring counselors.

Even though I’m about to embark on a 6-week quarter compressed with 10 weeks of material, I’m still excited for tomorrow.

I see this quarter and summer as being one of the most invigorating months in my life. Juggling my job, school work, sailing lessons, friends, and volunteer work amongst other responsibilities poses a daunting challenge. It’s when we’re tested with adversity that our true character is revealed. That being said, it’s Game On and Go Time!

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Categories: MSC

The Reciprocity Ring

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

In our final class of the quarter, we performed one of the most entertaining and enlightening activities that I’ve ever been a part of. It’s called the Reciprocity Ring and it’s a way for people to use their networks to assist others in accomplishing a goal or request that would be difficult or impossible for them to accomplish on their own.

For example, my classmates had requests such as finding a job with a Chicago Sports Team, getting a ticket to “Hamilton”, and playing a round of golf at the Augusta National Golf Club. The point of the exercise is not to have your request fulfilled, but to help others achieve their request. Also, the goal of the exercise is to use your social capital, rather than your financial capital, to fulfill these requests.

After going through the activity, we learned the power of ourReciprocity Ring Smallsocial capital and the strength of our own networks. For instance, one classmate stated that they would like to purchase a relatively new baby grand piano. As someone who has never played an instrument, you would think I couldn’t help my classmate. However, it turns out one of my best friends has a piano recital this Friday and is looking to sell his baby grand piano after the recital is finished. I was able to provide my friend’s contact information to my classmate.

Even though I desired to have my request fulfilled, I found myself listening intently to my classmates and furiously thinking of ways I could help them achieve their wish. After the activity was completed, I found that I had the prospect of helping about 20%-25% of my classmates. Some people had more social capital or resources to help as many as 50% of our class with their requests! In a group of 60 people, there’s a good chance that someone can help you with your request.

Studies have proven that those who give more, volunteer, or are outward-focused, tend to live longer lives. I don’t doubt this for a moment as I find it incredibly satisfying when I’m able to help others.

The Reciprocity Ring is one of the best things I’ve learned in the MSC Program. I plan to use this activity in the future with my coworkers and friends to help them accomplish their heart’s desires. We all have dreams and goals we would love achieve, but can’t do it on our own. Yet, with the power of networks, the impossible can become possible!

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Categories: Leveraging Networks, MSC Value, networks

Productivity Paradox

Posted by Peter Sandstedt

Pony Express ImageIn last Saturday morning’s lecture, our professor introduced the Productivity Paradox to us. Since the 1960s, productivity gains have not been correlated with investment in IT. As we have been introducing more and more technology into the workplace, we did so expecting that we could produce more output in our jobs.

However, our levels of productivity have not increased. They have remained constant. What is the reason behind this dilemma?

Additional Technology comes with additional costs.

When new technology is introduced, it requires training. It takes time and resources for everyone to learn how to use the technology and to use it efficiently. New technology also requires a support team to assist when it breaks or isn’t functioning properly.

Our professor provided us with a humorous example to prove his point. If you gave a Pony Express Rider a cell phone so they could call ahead to the next town to alert the post to have a new horse ready, it doesn’t improve the time the mail arrives to its final destination. Even with the technological benefits of a cell phone, the Pony Express Rider still needs to ride the horse to reach his final destination.

There is no denying that technology has made our jobs and lives easier, but that doesn’t mean we are producing more. In today’s world, the magic is fading and an extra dose of technology doesn’t guarantee more output. Our production levels increase as we personally hone new skills, knowledge, and resources.

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Categories: Leveraging Networks, MSC