DEBATE PHASE — FIND WHAT'S WRONG BEFORE IT'S LOCKED
0:00
Open the phase, out loud.
"We're in the Debate Phase on [decision]. Nothing is locked yet — the job right now is to find the problems, not defend the plan."
2 min
State the decision in one sentence.
5 min
Require three genuine objections before anyone defends the plan. Not risks already solved — real, current concerns.
5 min
Ask the room directly: "Who sees a reason this might fail?" Wait through the silence — don't fill it yourself.
5 min
Name who hasn't spoken and ask them directly for their read, especially if they have relevant expertise.
3 min
Close the phase, out loud.
"Debate's closed. Here's what we heard — now we decide."
COMMITMENT PHASE — MOVE AS ONE TEAM
0:00
State the decision, final form.
2 min
Log the dissent that didn't change the outcome — with a named owner, so it isn't lost or silently relitigated later.
2 min
Each person who disagreed says the commitment line out loud:
"I raised my concern, it was heard, and I'm fully in."
2 min
Set the review point — when and how you'll check if the decision needs revisiting, so committing doesn't mean committing forever.
Meeting recap (fill in after, send to the room)
Decision: __________________________________
Objections heard: __________________________________
Dissent logged and owned by: __________________________________
Review date: __________________________________
GROUND RULES FOR BOTH PHASES
- Announce the phase change out loud. "Does everyone agree" blurs debate and commitment into one moment — the two need a visible line between them.
- The most senior person speaks last in the Debate Phase. Position anchors opinions before anyone else has weighed in.
- Silence is not a phase. If no one objects in five seconds, ask a specific person by name.
- Once Commitment starts, the debate is over — including in the parking lot afterward.