Imagine a team evaluating a new idea, candidate, or proposal. The first person to speak sets an anchor. In consensus-driven cultures, subsequent opinions cluster around that anchor—even when people have independent information.
Drag the first rater's score below and watch what happens to everyone else.
Team Rating: "New Feature Proposal"
Distribution of Ratings
Why this happens
Anchoring bias: The first number we hear disproportionately influences our judgment, even when we know it's arbitrary.
Social proof: In group settings, we look to others' opinions as evidence of the "correct" view. Early opinions carry extra weight.
Conformity pressure: Deviating significantly from the group feels risky. We self-censor extreme opinions to avoid seeming "difficult."
How to break the pattern
Blind voting first
Collect ratings before anyone speaks. Reveal simultaneously.
Randomize speaking order
Don't let seniority or confidence determine who anchors.
Assign a devil's advocate
Someone whose job is to argue the opposite, breaking consensus pressure.
Written input before discussion
Have everyone write their view before the meeting starts.