The Abilene Paradox occurs when members of an organization take an action contrary to what they really want to do and, as a result, defeat the very purposes they are trying to achieve
The lack of the ability to manage agreement is expressed by six specific sub symptoms:
1) Individuals agree as to the nature of the problem or situation.
2) There is individual agreement as to the steps that should be taken.
3) Organization members fail to communicate their desires and beliefs to one another.
4) Inaccurate and invalid information is then used to make decisions.
5) Everyone is angry, irritated, and frustrated with the organization.
6) The cycle repeats itself.
What’s Behind The Paradox?
It is the lack of logic that characterizes a paradox.
While it might look like conflict, the blaming, defensiveness, and other behaviours that result from a bad decision – like the trip to Abilene – are really the signs of mismanaged agreement. But truly it is not about......
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