Oil Industry And Group Think Phenomenon

“…Here we were, four reasonably sensible people who, of our own volition, had just taken 106-mile trip across a godforsaken desert in a furnace-like temperature through a cloud-like dust storm to eat unpalatable food at a hole-in-the-wall cafeteria in Abilene!” So said Jerry B Harvey, the originator of the term Journey to Abilene.
The Abilene Paradox goes to tell how most people agree to do certain things as a group, or an organization, which they personally do not agree or believe in… just to be a team player, to save face, and/or to avoid conflict. It is the kind of situation where if asked individually, it turns out that Not a single person supports the idea, or wants to do it. Yet, everyone thinks that others want it, and end up saying ‘Yes’ just so that “they don’t rock the boat”. … Sounds familiar?
The Abilene Paradox is one outcome of group think. Group think occurs when a team seeks harmony through agreement without the opposing views needed for effective decision making. Psychologist Irving Janis was right about the eight symptoms leading to group think.
Sometimes a team’s power over the individual can be very strong. In the Abilene paradox, it is clear how people will often go along with an idea they don’t necessarily agree with because they want to be seen as part of the group and don’t want to ‘rock the boat’.
When you are sat at that Project planning or Constructability review meeting next time and your consultant suggests an idea that seems brilliant but has ‘buts’, don’t be the one that doesn’t want to deviate. Don’t just be a conformist. Question it, even if you are the only one that would stand up to it.
Groupthink conspired with a culture of risk can bring catastrophe. Be the one that makes the difference. In the process you could save your company millions. I am Emmanuel Haizel. Project Management is what I do. Feel free to return a comment and lets expand the discussion on this phenomenon within projects in the industry.
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