The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management

Chapter 1. Introduction

My daughter Suzanne has long been the gnostic of our family. For example, shortly after her seventh birthday, she returned from church services and confronted me with the question, "Daddy, what if God is a mouse?"

Being a college professor with a Ph.D. in psychology and having read more than a little in such disciplines as psychiatry, group dynamics, organizational theory, religion, philosophy, and physiology, I feel that I am reasonably well prepared to answer questions that deal with human behavior, management, and comparative theology. For reasons known only to God (or mice), however, I did not feel adequately prepared for Suzanne's metaphysical onslaught. Therefore, trying to maintain the semblance of decorum required ...