Happy Halloween week!
One of my favorite Halloween memories is the year one of my daughters dressed up as an angel and the other dressed up as a devil. I shared a photo of them on social media, jokingly writing, “Look, they dressed up as each other.”
If you were familiar with their personalities at that age, you would’ve understood.
The term “devil” is used in various pop culture expressions, including: The devil is in the details, speak of the devil, devil’s advocate, the devil you know, and give the devil his due. Among these, devil’s advocate is particularly relevant to the art of being a good teammate.
A “devil’s advocate” is someone who deliberately takes the opposite side of a popular opinion or idea in order to prompt debate and further discussions.
Devil’s advocates are different than naysayers. While both express opposing viewpoints, their intentions and effects are not the same.
Naysayers generally reject ideas out of pessimism, resistance to change, or disbelief in their success. Their objections often aim to halt progress rather than improve an idea.
In contrast, devil’s advocates argue against a proposal not because they oppose it, but to test its strength and reveal potential flaws. This role is constructive, encouraging deeper analysis, and refinement of ideas.
While naysayers can discourage innovation through constant negativity, devil’s advocates foster critical thinking and stronger reasoning. In essence, naysayers dismiss ideas, whereas devil’s advocates challenge them for the sake of improvement.
Understanding the distinction helps teams recognize when criticism is destructive and when it serves as a valuable tool for growth and problem-solving.
Hence, devil’s advocate teammates can be genuine assets because they prevent groupthink, the psychological phenomenon where teams prioritize harmony, consensus, and conformity over critical thinking. Groupthink can create the illusion of unanimity that leads to flawed decisions.
Sometimes team success comes not from angels’ accord, but from devils’ questions.
Devil’s advocate teammates don’t necessarily agree with what they are saying, but they recognize the value of providing an alternative perspective. As General George S. Patton famously opined, “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”
The historical origins of the expression “devil’s advocate” are rooted in this rationale.
The Roman Catholic Church instituted a procedure in the 1500s for canonization, the formal process for bestowing sainthood upon a deceased person. The pope would appoint two representatives to argue the case for and against granting sainthood.
The representative designated to argue against granting sainthood was called the “advocatus diaboli,” Latin for “devil’s advocate.”
Those brave enough to be devil’s advocate teammates aren’t in the least devils—they’re angels who keep their teams sharp. If you have a few on your team, be sure to count your blessings.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
