1. Skip The Trip Abilene Paradox

2. Ways to Skip the Trip What You Can Do Keep negative fantasies and perceived risk under check. Consider the benefits of speaking out. Keep negative fantasies and perceived risk under check. Consider the benefits of speaking out. Diplomatically confront decisions moving in the wrong direction, based on your knowledge and experience. Diplomatically confront decisions moving in the wrong direction, based on your knowledge and experience. Be prepared with backup information and good questions. Be prepared with backup information and good questions.

3. What’s Behind the Paradox? Action Anxiety Action Anxiety Negative Fantasy Negative Fantasy Perceived Risk Perceived Risk Fear of Separation Fear of Separation Confusion of Risk and Certainty Confusion of Risk and Certainty

4. Signs a Group Has Arrived Deteriorating project status Deteriorating project status Blaming and scapegoating Blaming and scapegoating Irritation with others Irritation with others

5. Recommendations Work with a group to identify a case study and identify elements of “group think”. Work with a group to identify a case study and identify elements of “group think”. Now consider carefully what actions by group participants might have altered the outcome. Now consider carefully what actions by group participants might have altered the outcome.

6. The Abilene Paradox