The Abilene paradox

The Abilene paradox occurs when a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that none of them individually want, because each assumes others do. It happens due to poor communication, fear of disagreement, or a desire to avoid conflict, leading everyone to go along with a decision that contradicts their personal preferences. In essence, the group "ends up doing something nobody truly supports" because of misperceptions about others’ wishes and a lack of honest discussion. This can result in dissatisfaction and inefficiency within the group.