2 Ways To Prevent Your Group Agreeing To Action That Nobody Supports
Ever found yourself saying 'yes' to a group plan, while internally screaming 'no'? What if everyone else was feeling the same? Welcome to the Abilene Paradox, where groups end up making decisions that no one wants.
The Paradox was coined by management professor Jerry B Harvey in light of the following story:
“A family is playing a game together on a hot summer day. The father-in-law suggests that they drive from their hometown of Coleman to Abilene, Texas — about 53 miles away. The wife says it sounds good, the husband agrees, and the mother-in-law says she’ll go along too.
They take a hot, dusty ride to a mediocre restaurant, then take another long drive back home to Coleman. When they arrive, recovering in front of the fan, the husband politely (and disingenuously) says, “Great trip, right?” His mother-in-law says, “To be honest, I would rather have stayed home.” The wife agrees, and the father-in-law confesses the same. Turns out, he only suggested it because he thought they would all be bored staying home.”
Note that this is subtly different from ‘Groupthink’ where all participants actively agree with each other, even if that is a result of lack of breadth in consideration.
In the Abilene Paradox, participants disagree with the group decision but choose not to ‘rock the boat’.
Picture this: Your team unanimously agrees to work late believing that it’s the outcome the others want, yet each of you would rather head home on time. That's the Abilene Paradox in action - a collective journey to nowhere land.
The Abilene paradox can have terrible consequences. The 1986 NASA shuttle tragedy, in which all seven crew members lost their lives, is such an example. After several delays and launch cancellations, managers were desperate to launch the shuttle.
As a result, the group collectively disregarded warnings from engineers about the risks associated with a launch in cold weather. With millions of viewers watching live on TV, the shuttle broke apart shortly after launching.
Recognizing The Abliene Paradox can save you from unproductive, frustrating decisions and outcomes - here are two ways you might avoid it.
Encourage Open Communication
Imagine a world where everyone says what they think. Refreshing, isn't it? I’ve heard it said that if you want your life to feel like an adventure, all you need to do is be honest every time you speak. Open communication is the major key to dodging the Abilene Paradox.
This approach leads to decisions that genuinely reflect the group's desires.
A family discusses dinner plans. Instead of the usual 'anything is fine', each member shares their dream destination.
Your 1-Minute Action: Next group meeting, encourage everyone to share their views. Say, "Let's make sure we're all on board with this, really."
Give Power To Dissenting Voices
Ever thought, "This doesn't seem right," but stayed silent? Your voice matters, especially when it's the lone voice of reason against a tide of agreement. It may open others eyes to different perspectives.
It also fosters diversity and creativity while preventing regretful group choices.
In the example above, if one team member speaks up about working late, everybody gets to go home. If one NASA engineer gives more weight to the cold weather warnings then maybe a modern-day disaster would have been prevented.
Your 1-Minute Action: If you disagree with a group decision, speak up. Practice framing your dissent in a respectful, constructive way. It could be as simple as, "I see it differently, here’s why..."
If you are leading a group, do not shut down a dissenting voice - encourage and explore it.
Remember, avoiding the Abilene Paradox isn't just about dodging bad decisions. It's about creating a culture where every voice is heard and valued. So, next time you're in a group situation, take a moment to check in with yourself and others.
Cheers,
Graeme