Jeff Bezos banned PowerPoint. His leadership team writes 6-page memos instead. And most decisions happen in silence.
While most companies drown in endless meetings, Amazon operates at lightning speed—making high-quality decisions without debate. Their secret? A radical system called “Silent Disagree and Commit.”
Here’s how it works, and how you can steal it for your business.
1. The “6-Page Narrative” Rule (No PowerPoint Allowed)
At Amazon, every major discussion starts with a structured memo, not slides.
Why it works:
- Forces deep thinking (bad logic shows in writing)
- Eliminates “performance over substance” (charisma ≠ good ideas)
- Saves hours wasted on slide prep
How to steal it:
- Replace your next presentation with a 1-2 page written proposal
- Require silent reading time before discussion
2. The “Silent Start” Meeting Hack (No Talking for 30 Minutes)
Amazon meetings begin with everyone reading the memo in silence.
Science behind it:
- MIT found groups jump to conclusions 22% faster when they read first
- Reduces “first-mover bias” (where the loudest voice dominates)
Try it today:
- First 10 minutes of your next meeting → silent reading
- Then ask: “What’s the strongest counter-argument?”
3. “Disagree and Commit” (How Bezos Ends Debates Fast)
When teams stall, Amazon leaders use this 3-step framework:
- “I disagree but you own this” (Acknowledge differing views)
- “I commit to support anyway” (No sabotage)
- “We’ll revisit in X weeks” (Built-in accountability)
Real example:
- An Amazon VP opposed launching Prime Now (1-hour delivery)
- Bezos replied: “I disagree but commit. Let’s try in Manhattan.”
- Result: $25B/year business
Your playbook:
Next time you’re stuck, say: “I’ll support this for 30 days. Then we’ll check the data.”
4. The “Two-Way Door” Decision Filter
Amazon categorizes choices as:
- One-way doors (Irreversible – needs analysis)
- Two-way doors (Reversible – decide fast)
Bezos’ rule:
“Most decisions should be made with ~70% of the info. If you wait for 90%, you’re too slow.”
Use it now:
- List 5 pending decisions → Label them one-way or two-way
- For two-way doors → Set a 24-hour deadline
5. The “Single Threaded Leader” Secret
Every major Amazon project has one person who:
- Owns the decision
- Can’t blame committees
- Gets removed if they stall
Result: No “decision diffusion” (where everyone is responsible → no one acts)
Steal this:
Next initiative → Publicly name one decider with full authority
Final Thought: Speed Is the New Scale
While competitors debate, Amazon tests. While others seek consensus, they seek just enough alignment to move.
Your challenge today:
- Kill one recurring meeting
- Replace it with a written update + silent review
