Advantage Quote by James Surowiecki
“If small groups are included in the decision-making process, then they should be allowed to make decisions. If an organization sets up teams and then uses them for purely advisory purposes, it loses the true advantage that a team has: namely, collective wisdom.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wisdom of Crowds, 2004
Including small groups in decision making lets them actually decide, unlocking collective wisdom rather than just advisory input.
In simple terms: Small groups should decide, not just advise.
Key Takeaway
Empower teams to act.
Themes
decision-making
teamwork
collective intelligence
Mood
collaborative
strategic
Type
leadership
organizational
When to use this quote
- project planning
- board meetings
- community initiatives
Key Concepts
wisdom of crowds
participation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift a team from advisory to decision-making?
- What barriers prevent true collective decision?
A Different Perspective
Advisory roles may still limit impact.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
