Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of non-consensus decision-making in achieving breakthroughs, contrasting it with the pursuit of consensus for stability [2][11][14]. Group 1: Decision-Making Insights - The article references a study by Stanford University that analyzed decision-making rules and performance data from hundreds of venture capital firms, highlighting that firms with higher IPO rates tend to avoid strict consensus in decision-making [13]. - It is noted that consensus-driven decision-making can lead to significant performance differences, particularly in uncertain environments where many unknowns exist [13][14]. - The article suggests that organizations should foster an open-minded culture that values truth-seeking over merely proving oneself right to achieve success [14]. Group 2: Mechanisms for Better Decision-Making - Maintaining small teams is recommended, as they tend to perform better due to improved communication, faster response times, and higher individual motivation [18]. - Encouraging junior employees to speak first in discussions can lead to more valuable insights, as their perspectives may be overlooked if senior leaders express their opinions first [19]. - Assigning a "devil's advocate" role within teams can ensure that dissenting opinions are heard, promoting a culture where individuals feel free to express differing views [21]. - Pre-meeting communication of project reports allows team members to form independent opinions, fostering a more open discussion environment [23]. Group 3: Case Studies of Decision-Making - Venrock Venture employs a process where partners engage in intense debates over each investment opportunity, allowing the proposing partner to make the final decision [25]. - TDK Ventures emphasizes that not all partners need to agree on decisions, reflecting the nature of venture capital as a pursuit of extreme values rather than averages [25]. - Founders Fund allows for smaller investments to proceed with the agreement of just one partner, while larger investments require more consensus, but not unanimous agreement [25].