Construct a three-perspective input set
Before making significant decisions, construct a diverse input set that includes at least one person likely to disagree with your current leaning, one with direct domain experience, and one outside the domain who might see what insiders miss.
When This Fires
- Before any significant decision (one-way doors — Classify every decision as one-way or two-way door before…) that warrants structured input-gathering
- When assembling an advisory group or review panel
- When your usual advisors all agree and you suspect echo-chamber effects
- Complements For 6+ person decisions, collect independent written… (independent written assessment) with the input composition requirement
Common Failure Mode
Consulting three people who all agree with you: "I asked three smart people and they all confirmed my approach!" Three smart people from the same background with the same expertise who share your worldview will confirm your approach regardless of whether it's right. The diversity must be structural — different perspectives, not just different people.
The Protocol
(1) Before a significant decision, identify your current leaning. (2) Construct the input set: Dissenter: who is likely to see this differently? Who would push back on your approach? If you can't name someone, seek one. Domain expert: who has direct experience with this type of decision or this specific domain? Not general wisdom — situated knowledge. Outsider: who comes from a completely different domain but has strong analytical thinking? They'll ask the questions insiders don't think to ask. (3) Consult each independently (For 6+ person decisions, collect independent written… — independent written input prevents anchoring). (4) Synthesize: where do the three perspectives agree (high confidence)? Where do they disagree (genuine uncertainty requiring deeper investigation)? The disagreements are the most valuable output.