Unanimous Votes Don’t Impress Me

Unanimous votes don’t impress me. 

Leaders often celebrate the unanimous vote. I have worked with many boards, project teams, and groups over the years; there seems to be nothing better than when a unanimous vote is achieved. It’s a breath of fresh air. Everyone is on the same page, and the project can move forward!

Except that unanimous vote is not always a unanimous consensus. Whenever I am told that a board voted unanimously on an issue or project which is not cut and dry, I get concerned. Here’s why:

- Means there is potential for “yes people” on the board

- Shows a sign of a lack of intelligent debate from all sides

- Unwillingness to rock the boat.

Unanimous votes don’t impress me. 4-1, 3-2 votes impress me. And only if those dissenting voices can continue to work alongside those they disagree with. This is what makes an organization stronger: the ability to have conflict and peacefully resolve it even while still opposing each other.