1. Abilene Paradox is the self-limiting or withdrawing of ones self from a discussion. This can be because someone feels the conversation or dissection being made is unimportant. When I am at our monthly personal training meetings I tend to withdraw and do not discuss my ideas on a topic because I know there is a particular coworker that is going to talk for a very long time about her numerous concerns. Though they are not petty to her, I see how annoyed my other coworkers get at her for keeping us over time and repeating herself consistently. This makes me feel like even my small comment just contributes to the discomfort of the group so I just sit back and listen, not asking any question because I feel I will just get them answered later. Therefore, not much gets done in these meetings and I leave feeling like I have wasted an hour of my time, sometimes more.
2. The number one reason I believe people limit themselves from conversation is a dysfunctional decision-making environment. When I see my other coworkers getting attacked for asking a silly question by each other or making an unnecessary comment (that was not so unnecessary to them) I tend to fall back as well in fear they will talk to me that way. People are not going to talk if they feel uncomfortable or have a fear. Second...