Decision Making / 5 / 5.4 / 5.4.3

5.4.3 Threats To IISD

Threats to IISD include lack of acceptance by stakeholders and gatekeepers resulting from suspicion, fear or mistrust. Barriers to learning and effective decision making identified earlier, are also serious threats. Threats to successful application of IISD can be real. Argyris (1994) warns of basic but strong values, apparently universal amongst decision-makers, the purpose of which is to avoid embarrassment or threat, feeling vulnerable or incompetent. The resultant defensive reasoning encourages individuals to keep private the premises, inferences, and conclusions that shape their behaviour and to avoid their exposure and having them tested publicly. Further, the observation that somebody in the client organisation is reasoning defensively is yet more defensive reasoning (Argyris, 1994: 90). Overcoming barriers such as defensive reasoning and insidious aspects of group dynamics, requires awareness and high levels of facilitative skill.