When confronted with the need to make a difficult decision, the organization decides to defer the decision. Sometimes this is done by commissioning another study (never mind that several studies have already been done), and sometimes by conjuring up some reason why the decision can be delayed (“We need to wait to see whether interest rates will go up.”)

Kicking cans can become an art form. It means that people don’t have to do anything because, having kicked the can down the road, they now have the perfect excuse for inaction.

The unspoken rule is:

Whenever possible, delay making any difficult decision.

The hope is that when the time comes that a decision can no longer be avoided, it’s become somebody else’s problem.