Just yesterday, someone quoted Paul Hamming on the fact that scientists who have "open doors policy" are more successful long-term.
I have never formally formed a committee, but I often organized small one-off or semiregular circles to get differing opinions on some matter and/or to understand how to align interests. And I believe it paid off for me, usually in form of a better design or a useful shortcut around an otherwise long and dark path.
