395. AMMA — Why Consensus Slows Growth and How to Fix It

The Game Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill

Consensus feels safe — but in business, it’s often the very thing holding you back from growth.

In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill unpack the hidden costs of consensus-driven decision-making. From firms with five partners debating every choice to small teams waiting on unanimous buy-in, they reveal why trying to please everyone creates delays, missed opportunities, and stalled growth. If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting wondering why it took two hours to argue over a single decision, this conversation will change how you lead.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why speed beats consensus — and why imperfect decisions made quickly can fuel faster growth
• How to assign decision rights by expertise so your team stops spinning in circles
• What it takes to embrace “disagree and commit” so your firm moves forward even without unanimous agreement

If you’re tired of decision gridlock, this episode will show you how to lead with clarity, speed, and conviction.

----

02:20 – Why many attorneys know more about their favorite sports team than their own firm’s numbers

04:15 – The importance of wearing your own “jersey” and taking pride in your brand

14:10 – Why consensus among five partners is the slowest way to make decisions

15:50 – Not every partner should have an equal vote — expertise matters

16:25 – Speed beats consensus: why fast imperfect decisions win

17:35 – The power of “disagree and commit” in high-performing firms

18:05 – Treating failure as data, not identity

20:00 – Why you can’t always wait for buy-in before leading change

----

Links & Resources:

• Brazil Nut
• Georgia Power
• Comcast
• AT&T

----

Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

----

Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more.

----

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:

• 393. AMMA — Why Simplicity Is a Superpower in Law Firms
• 363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro
• 345. AMMA. The AI Advantage: What to Automate, What to Keep Human, and How to Stay Ahead