The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management

This work explores how events and decisions within organizations gather momentum once set in motion and often take on lives of their own. It presents stories and events in order to show how organizations continually set themselves up for failure. When Jerry B. Harvey first coined the phrase "Abilene Paradox? in 1974 , he set off shock waves among business people across the country. Using a common family experience, he pointed out that events often gather momentum and take on lives of their own, in spite of the fact that nobody wants to take part in them.Harvey offers insightful and often uproariously funny "meditations? on the craziness of this paradox in our daily work lives. With familiar stories presented in surprising ways, Harvey reveals how organizations set themselves up for failure by fostering an atmosphere of alienation, distrust, and fear of risk-taking among their members. Faulty decision-making can have dire consequences, and when it comes to group decisions, the challenges are even greater. Join Dr. Jerry B. Harvey as he clearly illustrates why no organization wants to find themselves goin' to Abilene. See how group dynamics can keep individuals from stating their true beliefs for fear of isolation and separation, and how that often leads to mismanaged agreement. You'll learn to recognize the warning signs of risky group dynamics and improve decision-making processes throughout your organization.