Surreal illustration of Texas merging with a library, symbolizing Jerry Harvey's academic and personal roots.

The Enduring Impact of Jerry Harvey: Lessons in Leadership, Honesty, and Courage

Kai Mendoza in Business & Economy September 2025 • 5 min read.

"Explore the profound insights of Jerry Harvey, a pioneer in organizational behavior, and how his teachings on honesty, group dynamics, and ethical leadership remain vital in today's complex world."

When invited to reflect on the impact of Jerry Harvey, a flood of memories emerged. For over 30 years, Jerry and I were part of the Organizational Behavior and Development (OB&D) faculty at The George Washington University (GWU) School of Business. Attempting to capture the essence of his influence is a challenge, yet a cherished endeavor. Our experiences were rich and frequently humorous, particularly when Jerry employed his unmistakable Texas drawl. These interactions spanned classrooms, departments, the school, and the broader university, where he was often affectionately referred to as 'the Harv,' though most simply knew him as 'Professor'.

Beyond academia, Jerry possessed a unique charm, amplified by his Texas roots and signature ankle boots. He often shared stories of family gatherings with his 'Grand Pap,' reminiscing about moments spent 'swatting flies and telling lies.' These anecdotes reveal the deep impact of his grandfather on his life, a sentiment echoed in his final book, 'Swatting Flies and Telling Lies' (Harvey, 2011), which encapsulates his distinctive character and values.

Jerry Harvey's uniqueness stemmed from our many interactions over three decades. Honesty stood out as a defining trait. He was a man of honor in principles, intentions, and actions. Uprightness characterized his approach, demonstrating fairness, sincerity, frankness, and credibility, all while maintaining a stellar reputation. Though he spoke infrequently in departmental or school meetings, his words commanded attention, recognized for their inherent value. Jerry was, in essence, a quietly influential figure, whose qualities many faculty members sought to emulate.

Unpacking the Abilene Paradox: How to Avoid Groupthink and Make Better Decisions

Surreal illustration of Texas merging with a library, symbolizing Jerry Harvey's academic and personal roots.

Jerry's grasp of group dynamics and the key variables at play was truly extraordinary. He possessed an exceptional diagnostic ability, adept at discerning the myriad factors influencing group behavior. His skill in this area was akin to his golf game – consistently on par.

I'll never forget the day Jerry declared he was done with what he called 'dog and pony shows,' where he typically discussed the Abilene Paradox and other stories compiled in his books (Harvey, 1988, 1999, 2011). He realized these presentations were doing more harm than good and decided to withdraw from that circuit. Though lucrative and easy to deliver, he chose to focus on clients where input and output could be rigorously assessed.

Content: The actual subject matter being discussed.
Process: How the group is interacting and making decisions.
Context: The environment and background influencing the group.

Jerry was masterful at keeping group members aligned and appreciative of these critical aspects of group functioning. To illustrate, consider an educational work group. It’s essential to first define the context, such as whether the group operates at the primary, elementary, secondary, or higher education level. Next, examine the process variables, like the length of the school day and start and end times, particularly at the elementary level. In higher education, these parameters shift to quarterly programs or semesters, with options for day or evening sessions. Lastly, the content variable might encompass subjects like math, science, history, or chemistry. Effective management requires understanding and clarifying these variables.

A Lasting Legacy of Honesty and Courage

Calling Jerry B. Harvey the “Abilene Paradox Man” was a distinct pleasure. He was not only a friend and colleague but also a devoted family man, whose deep love and commitment were rooted in a strong Christian faith. Jerry’s writings and academic contributions reflect a profound sense of faith, hope, grace, love, and peace for the entire human family. Jerry’s influence has been extensive at The GWU and within the broader field of Organizational Behavior. I am grateful for the time I had to learn from his experiences at the National Training Laboratories, where he served as Executive Director before joining The GWU Business School Faculty.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/14766086.2017.1316765, Alternate LINK

Title: A Scholar, Colleague And Friend

Subject: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Journal: Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion

Publisher: International Association of Management Spirituality & Religion

Authors: John Lobuts

Published: 2017-04-03

Everything You Need To Know

Who was Jerry Harvey and what were his key contributions to the field of organizational behavior?

Jerry Harvey was a renowned professor and consultant in organizational behavior. He was known for his emphasis on honesty, ethical leadership, and insightful analysis of group dynamics. His key contributions include his work on the Abilene Paradox, which highlights the dangers of groupthink, and his teachings on how to foster better decision-making and ethical foundations within organizations. His influence extended through his roles at The George Washington University (GWU) School of Business, the National Training Laboratories, and his writings, including 'Swatting Flies and Telling Lies'.

What is the significance of the Abilene Paradox, and how did Jerry Harvey apply it?

The Abilene Paradox, as identified by Jerry Harvey, describes situations where a group makes a decision that no individual member actually wants, due to a failure to communicate their true preferences. Harvey used this concept to illustrate how groups can make poor decisions because of mismanaged group dynamics, a lack of honesty, and a fear of conflict. He advocated for recognizing and addressing the underlying causes of the paradox to improve group decision-making. Jerry Harvey was a master in keeping group members aligned and appreciative of critical aspects of group functioning, which includes Content, Process and Context.

How did Jerry Harvey's emphasis on honesty manifest in his professional and personal life?

Honesty was a defining trait of Jerry Harvey. In his professional life, he was known for his integrity, fairness, and frankness, which earned him respect among his colleagues at The GWU. This uprightness characterized his approach, demonstrating fairness, sincerity, frankness, and credibility, all while maintaining a stellar reputation. His words commanded attention, recognized for their inherent value. Personally, his values were reflected in his anecdotes and stories, like those about his Grand Pap, and in his final book, 'Swatting Flies and Telling Lies'.

What are Content, Process, and Context variables, and why did Jerry Harvey stress their importance?

Content, Process, and Context are critical variables in understanding and managing group dynamics, as highlighted by Jerry Harvey. Content refers to the subject matter being discussed by the group. Process involves how the group is interacting and making decisions. Context encompasses the environment and background influencing the group, such as the educational level (primary, secondary, higher education). Harvey stressed their importance because effective management requires understanding and clarifying these variables to ensure group members are aligned and make informed decisions. Examples were presented such as the difference in school hours between primary and higher education.

What was Jerry Harvey's lasting legacy, and what can we learn from his approach to leadership and ethics?

Jerry Harvey's lasting legacy lies in his teachings on ethical leadership, honesty, and group dynamics. His work, particularly on the Abilene Paradox, continues to influence leaders and organizations to foster better decision-making and stronger ethical foundations. Harvey's approach, characterized by integrity, fairness, and a commitment to truth, serves as a model for ethical leadership. His emphasis on understanding group dynamics, recognizing the variables of content, process, and context, and promoting open communication provides valuable insights for navigating complex organizational challenges. His writings and academic contributions reflect a profound sense of faith, hope, grace, love, and peace for the entire human family.