The American Film Institute selected 12 Angry Men as the second-best courtroom drama of all-time (only behind the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird). The film tells the story of a jury of twelve men as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a teenager charged with murder.

In a preliminary vote, all jurors vote "guilty" except Juror 8, who says he cannot vote "guilty" because reasonable doubt exists. Eventually, all twelve jurors vote "not guilty" and the defendant is acquitted of charges.

It's a classic tale of consensus-building and the most effective way to gain followership.

But you'll notice in the movie that Juror 8 didn't convince everyone all at once. He chipped away and went after each juror individually. And I'm convinced that, had he tried to get the group to admit failure collectively, it wouldn't have worked.

Groups will never admit failure. Groups will never admit they were wrong. Groups will never admit, “We made a mistake.”

In fact, I can't find one example in history of a large group saying, “We thought A, but the answer’s actually B.”

Individuals are the only ones who will admit failure. And even then it's challenging, but it's possible.

The key to persuading a group of people is to persuade an individual who belongs to that group.

Whether it's political, religious, legal, or just a good old-fashioned argument, the key is convincing one person. Once you convince one, a second and third can follow.

You want to change a group? Change one person.