THE ABILENE PARADOX - JERRY HARVEY

Do you ever feel lost in a maze of pointless projects at your company? Do you helplessly watch as a reluctance to take risks paralyzes innovation? If so, your organization may have already embarked on a journey to Abilene – a place where collective decisions lead to outcomes that no one desires.

• Understand the mechanisms that lead to the Abilene paradox.
• Learn to recognize the symptoms of this phenomenon in your organization.
• Discover methods to prevent trips to Abilene.
• Build a culture of openness and honesty in the team.
• Increase the efficiency of decisions made.
• Minimize the loss of time and resources on unwanted projects.
• Improve communication within the company.

Jerry Harvey, in his 1974 article, introduced the concept of the Abilene paradox, which resonated in the business world. Using a family anecdote as an example, Harvey showed how decisions made in a group can gain momentum and spin out of control, leading to situations in which no one wants to participate. He pointed out that similar processes occur in organizations of various kinds – from corporations to religious associations and public institutions. The Abilene paradox revealed weaknesses in office environments around the world, where time and money are wasted on projects that no one considers appropriate.

This book is another shock therapy that Harvey serves to the business world. It is a collection of insightful and sometimes hilarious reflections on the madness that grips modern organizations. The author, based on stories and events that we have probably all experienced (although presented in a surprising way), shows how organizations condemn themselves to failure, arousing among their members a sense of alienation, distrust, confabulation and fear of risk.

"The Abilene Paradox" is a must-read for every manager, team leader and employee who wants to understand the mechanisms governing organizations and learn how to counteract them. It is a guide to building a healthy, effective and trust-based work environment in which everyone's voice is heard and decisions are made based on common beliefs and goals. The book offers practical tools and strategies that allow you to identify and neutralize the symptoms of the Abilene paradox, as well as create an organizational culture that promotes openness, honesty and willingness to take risks.

Edition: Pages: 176, Format: 15x21 cm, Year: Year of publication: 2014, cover: paperback, Publisher: Linia Sp. z o.o., Number of pages: 176, Cover: paperback, Format: 15x21 cm