The "Devil's Advocate"

Bob is the “devils advocate” dialed up to maximum. Any idea a team member raises is met with Bob fiercely arguing the opposite position. Every meeting that Bob attends either results in a heated argument or total silence. Bob’s true intention is to add value by surfacing both sides of every idea. In Bob’s words, “Aren’t good decisions the result of thoroughly evaluating all the options?” What Bob fails to realize is that his approach does not add value to the decision making process. It is divisive and alienating.

As Bob’s boss you have been inundated with complaints and defusing the resulting conflicts has turned into a part-time job. What are your options? The only respectful place to start is sitting Bob down for an honest conversation. Second you can begin to support change by offering Bob a few self-reflection questions. Some possible questions are:

What did you speak up for in meetings today?
What was the effect of your speaking up?
Is this the effect you intended?