The Tenth Man – The Voice We Desperately Need to Hear!

In a time when decisions are often made in echo chambers, where fear of conflict sneaks into boardrooms, and party lines override common sense, we need to rediscover a forgotten mindset from the world of security intelligence: The Tenth Man. A principle built on the idea that when everyone agrees, someone must dare to think the opposite.

This idea may have been born within Israeli intelligence, but its potential reaches far beyond that. We need it in politics, public administration, business, the media – everywhere that decisions of consequence are made. Not because the dissenter is always right, but because without them, we risk repeating the same mistakes simply because no one had the courage to say: “But what if we’re wrong?”

What Is the Principle of the Tenth Man?

The Tenth Man isn’t a person – it’s a way of thinking. It says that if nine people agree on something, the tenth is obligated to adopt the opposing viewpoint, regardless of personal belief. Not to create chaos, but to force the group to test its assumptions, see other perspectives, and identify weaknesses – before it’s too late.

In the film World War Z, an Israeli security officer explains:
"When nine people agree, it's the duty of the tenth man to disagree."
It’s not about being negative – it’s about applying critical thinking as a process.

The Silent Poison of Groupthink

Groupthink is a well-known psychological trap. It occurs when a group's desire for harmony overrides critical analysis. History is filled with examples of disasters that could have been avoided if only someone had dared to speak up.

In politics, we see it when:

• Reforms are pushed through without proper impact assessments, even when experts raise concerns.

• Parliamentary agreements are made where no one dares be the dissenter.

• Projects run wildly over budget, but nobody wants to be the one who suggests a pause or re-evaluation.

The same happens in business. Multi-million-euro projects in tech, construction, and energy collapse repeatedly – not because the ideas were bad, but because no one spoke up in time.

The Loneliness of Dissent

Being the Tenth Man means standing alone. To question decisions in environments that reward loyalty over honesty is not easy. In politics, it might mean being excluded or mocked. In business, it could mean being labeled as "difficult" or "not a team player."

But it is in these very settings that we need brave people who dare to speak up. Not because they know the majority is wrong – but because there’s always a chance they’re right. And that chance is often worth exploring.

What Would Happen if Sweden Adopted the Principle Systematically?

Imagine this:

• Every municipal council appoints a formal role: The Opponent. A person whose task is not to block decisions, but to present a well-reasoned counterposition.

• Every national reform undergoes a “Tenth Man analysis”, where a team is required to explore what happens if the core assumptions are wrong.

• Every education or healthcare reform is first tested against real-world failure scenarios.

It wouldn’t just create better decisions – it would reduce the risk of systemic failures and harm to society.

We’re Too Afraid of Doubt

Today’s society rewards clarity, speed, and solution-focused thinking. And sure, that’s valuable. But it has also created a culture where doubt is seen as weakness.

We need to make space for voices that ask:

• “Have we looked at this from a child’s point of view?”

• “What happens if the system crashes in the middle of summer?”

• “Is there a historical example where this went horribly wrong?”

These questions are not obstacles. They are lifelines.

Real-Life Examples: When No One Spoke Up

1. Public sector IT projects: From medical record systems to administrative platforms, many have collapsed due to ignored internal warnings.

2. Sweden’s refugee reception in 2015: The debate was polarized, but lacked space for nuanced discussion. A more balanced view might have helped the country prepare better.

3. Pandemic response: Sweden’s unique approach drew praise and criticism. But critical voices were often shut down. Today, we see that those critics had valid points.

The Business World Is Starting to Understand

Many successful companies have implemented processes similar to the Tenth Man:

• Red Team Thinking – dedicated groups that challenge and attempt to break new ideas.

• Devil’s Advocate roles to poke holes in strategies that otherwise might pass too easily.

• Risk committees tasked with identifying unintended consequences.

In aviation, this culture is well established. The youngest co-pilot can question the captain. One dissenting voice can save hundreds of lives.

What’s Required for It to Work?

To implement the Tenth Man approach effectively, we need a few key ingredients:

1. Cultural shift: We must stop treating dissent as problematic. Instead, it should be seen as a valuable part of decision-making.

2. Structured processes: We can’t just hope someone speaks up. We need systems and roles where dissent is required.

3. Courage from leadership: Leaders must welcome dissent, not punish it.

4. Training in critical thinking: Schools should teach children to argue both sides, debate against their own beliefs, and understand others’ perspectives.

The Tenth Woman – Representation in Resistance

We also need to look beyond the “man” in this metaphor. In a society where women’s voices have historically been ignored, we must make room for the Tenth Woman – the one who brings lived experience and insights that challenge the dominant narrative.

Diversity in decision-making isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a safeguard against system failure.

The Tenth Man Lives in You and Me

You don’t need to work for an intelligence agency or be a politician to embody the Tenth Man. You can:

• Raise uncomfortable questions in a staff meeting.

• Challenge the new policy before it’s blindly implemented.

• Speak up when your team is charging ahead without reflection.

We need more people willing to say “but what if…” – not to slow things down, but to steer them more wisely.

Conclusion: A Smarter Society Begins with One Brave Voice

As we face complex challenges in AI, climate change, war, disinformation, and economic instability, we can’t afford blind decision-making. We need systems, structures, and cultures where the Tenth Man – or Woman – is not just allowed, but invited.

Because being questioned isn’t dangerous.
The danger lies in a world where no one dares to ask anything at all.