A management technique that encourages open debate but demands unity in execution, preventing decision paralysis and keeping organisations moving forward.

What is Disagree and Commit ?

Disagree and commit is a management principle that encourages open debate, while ensuring alignment once a decision has been made. It allows individuals to voice dissent during deliberations but requires full commitment to execution afterward. Notably, the phrase has been incorporated into Amazon’s leadership principles to mitigate decision paralysis.

The disagree and commit approach mirrors collective ministerial responsibility in government, where Cabinet members may debate policies internally but must publicly support decisions, promoting stability and reducing fragmentation of direction.

Good corporate boards operate similarly. Directors are expected to challenge management and scrutinise proposals behind closed doors, but once a board decision is made, all must align behind it. This fosters strong governance by balancing constructive dissent with unified execution. Without such commitment, ongoing disputes can erode effective execution.

By enabling productive disagreement while ensuring decisive action, disagree and commit helps organisations to avoid the consensus trap - where seeking universal agreement leads to inaction or diluted decision-making.

Further reading