One of our presidents over a pool of largely self interested and disparately oriented divisions has a similar tactic.

When they have a big decision to make, he puts the division heads in a room, says "so, what are we going to do?", lets them bluff and bicker in their usual way, and then proposes in all seriousness the worst possible and least effective way to technically accomplish what has to be done. It's a gift, really.

It's effectiveness in unifying them through their desperation to make sure it never comes to pass is unparalleled.

He also had those same people give each other researched introductions to his leadership, which is every bit as brilliant and trollish as it sounds.