Skip The TripSkip The Trip

Abilene ParadoxAbilene Paradox

Ways to Skip the TripWays to Skip the Trip

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do• Keep negative fantasies and perceived Keep negative fantasies and perceived

risk under check. Consider the benefits risk under check. Consider the benefits of speaking out.of speaking out.

• Diplomatically confront decisions Diplomatically confront decisions moving in the wrong direction, based moving in the wrong direction, based on your knowledge and experience. on your knowledge and experience.

• Be prepared with backup information Be prepared with backup information and good questions.and good questions.

What’s Behind the What’s Behind the Paradox?Paradox?

• Action AnxietyAction Anxiety

• Negative FantasyNegative Fantasy

• Perceived RiskPerceived Risk

• Fear of SeparationFear of Separation

• Confusion of Risk and CertaintyConfusion of Risk and Certainty

Signs a Group Has Signs a Group Has ArrivedArrived

• Deteriorating project Deteriorating project statusstatus

• Blaming and scapegoatingBlaming and scapegoating

• Irritation with othersIrritation with others

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Work with a group to identify a Work with a group to identify a case study and identify elements case study and identify elements of “group think”.of “group think”.

• Now consider carefully what Now consider carefully what actions by group participants actions by group participants might have altered the outcome.might have altered the outcome.

The Abilene Paradox