blamestorming
Group fault-finding session
Blamestorming is a meeting or discussion devoted to assigning fault for a failure rather than solving the underlying problem.
A play on brainstorming, it captures the unproductive ritual of pointing fingers after something goes wrong: The project postmortem turned into a blamestorming session.
The word is workplace slang, usually disapproving.
Assigning blame openly
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- recriminationRetaliatory accusation
witch-hunt · mudslinging · backbiting · deflection · cover-up · culprit · fall-guy · patsy
State of being answerable
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- faultImperfection or blame
- guiltMoral self-reproach
answerability · ownership · reckoning · admission · confession · incrimination · indictment · root-cause
Resistance to perceived attack
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
friction · tension · discord · distrust · toxicity · infighting · dysfunction · breakdown
Expression of disappointment
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
denunciation · disapproval · judgment · reprimand · scolding · chiding · flak · opprobrium
Appointed group for duties
- roundtableLeaderless group discussion
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- postmortemExamination after death
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
all-hands · whiteboard · agenda · minutes · stakeholders · cross-functional · task-force · war-room
finger-pointing
Assigning blame openly
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
recrimination · witch-hunt · mudslinging · backbiting · deflection · cover-up · culprit · fall-guy · patsy · targeting
responsibility
State of being answerable
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- faultImperfection or blame
guilt · answerability · ownership · reckoning · admission · confession · incrimination · indictment · root-cause · postmortem
defensiveness
Resistance to perceived attack
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
hostility · friction · tension · discord · distrust · toxicity · infighting · dysfunction · breakdown · gridlock
reproach
Expression of disappointment
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
castigation · denunciation · disapproval · judgment · reprimand · scolding · chiding · flak · opprobrium · dressing-down
committee
Appointed group for duties
- roundtableLeaderless group discussion
- debriefPost-mission questioning session
- postmortemExamination after death
retrospective · all-hands · whiteboard · agenda · minutes · stakeholders · cross-functional · task-force · war-room · assembled
blamestormingproblem-solving
Addressing challenges methodically
brainstorming · troubleshooting · retrospective · ideation · continuous improvement
blamestormingcollective ownership
Joint holding by many
taking responsibility · psychological safety · accountability · growth mindset · mutual support
storm, blame, blamed, storming, blamestorm, brainstorm, stormed, blames, blameworthy