"The Abilene Paradox"--A Review

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses a phenomenon of groupthink gone out of control known as "The Abilene Paradox." The author combines a review of Jerry B. Harvey's essay of the same name with a detailed analysis of the phenomena. The paper examines the symptoms of the paradox and the need for effective leadership within an organization to avoid it. The paper also discusses the need for organizations to make free expression part of their culture, so that individuals feel comfortable challenging ideas. The writer summarizes Harvey's goal, suggesting that even within the most comfortable organizational culture, no worker loses his or her essential individuality or personal sense of responsibility to ethics and truth.

From the Paper:

"At the heart of the paradox, however, is another paradox. On one hand, to prevent a bad group decision from going through, effective leadership is needed. A leader must resist the pressures to go along with the group and speak up, contrary to 'going with the flow,' that a change is needed. However, to gain a sense of what is the right decision, all members of the organization must have some input, and channels of communication must be kept open, so that everyone can volunteer evidence about the real situation, not just ideas that confirm management's assumptions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harvey, Jerry B. (Summer 1988). "The Abilene Paradox." Organizational Dynamics. 17 (1).

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