That quote is attributed to Cyrus the Great, a Persian king around 600 B.C. Most of us would agree it’s best to have diversity in counsel. Better decisions will be made if all alternatives and options are discussed. If your team can express differences openly and without getting personal, you will most likely come to a better decision.

But how do you get to “Unity in Command? How do you get everyone to walk out of the room and support the decision even if it wasn’t the way they wanted to go? I recently read a Harvard Business Review article that points the way to “Unity in Command.”

It’s where perceived fairness comes into play. If participants in the decision making process believe their ideas and thoughts were truly considered, they will go along with the decision even if it wasn’t the decision they wanted. If the decision making process is healthy with good open debate and listening to all ideas, everyone will get behind the final decision and support it going forward.

So foster open debate, don’t let it get personal and make sure everyone listens. If you are able to do this, you and your team will make better decisions.