Why even the smartest teams can fail due to silence
A 1999 NASA mission to Mars failed not because of a technical glitch, but because of a breakdown in communication. Psychology professor Tessa West examines how hidden languages and unaddressed assumptions can quietly sabotage high-performing groups.
The failure of the 1999 Mars mission serves as a powerful case study in how information can fail to land. It was not a lack of technical expertise that caused the disaster, but rather a lack of interpersonal connection and dialogue.
Professor Tessa West explores the subtle mechanisms of failure, such as overlooked details and the 'hidden languages' that develop within groups. By understanding these psychological barriers, teams can implement small communication shifts to ensure critical information is shared and understood.
Source: Tessa West: The surprisingly simple reason teams fail
