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Consensus: Consensus decisions are important when the situation requires unified support and synchronized effort. It’s sort of like building a pyramid. If just one person’s contribution is out of place of missing, the whole project’s going to suffer. (Never mind that the pyramids in Egypt were built by slaves-who did a good deal of suffering no matter how team-oriented they were.)

Consensus decisions can take an awful lot of time, and time can be scarce when a crisis is about to kick in your office door and attack you. But on the plus side, they tend to ensure that every member of your team officially buys into the agreement.

It’s often mentioned that Japanese management styles are big on consensus and unanimity. So much so, in fact, that all the people involved in a key decision may be asked to sign off on a written summary of it to affirm their acceptance and symbolize their commitment. This process reduces the odds that some people will drag their heels secretly.