Abilene Paradox Term Paper

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Abilene Paradox: Reflection of Communication Dysfunction

The Abilene Paradox provides a framework for understanding communication dysfunction within an organization or group of individuals. The parable relates the tale of individuals who agree to do something that independently no one wants to do. The end result is frustration, anger and disillusionment. The Abilene Paradox is nothing more than a parable, derived from true to live experiences that attempt to explain how individuals reach or fail to reach agreement (Deiss, 1999).

There are those that argue the paradox explains how people believe they reach agreement, with "believe" being a matter of interpretation up for analysis (Deiss, 1999). The parable suggests that when everyone simply agrees on an issue to appease others rather than satisfy their own needs, dysfunction occurs. Many use the parable to describe what is often called group failing or organizational dysfunction (Deiss, 1999).

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Analysis of Abilene Organizations

Characteristics of an organization falling under the category of Abilene influenced might include organizations where consensus occurs artificially because members within an organization don't communicate their actual individual desires and sometimes communicate the opposite of what they really feel (Deiss, 1999). Why would anyone say something other than what he or she was really feeling? In most cases individuals are afraid to cause disruption. Many fear expressing their true feelings or desires for fear they may not be accepted as part of the group. Still others don't want to appear unmotivated or unwilling to take chances. There are many other reasons that people may fall victim to the Abilene Paradox.

Many for example, believe that any decision, right or….....

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