When everyone owns it, no one does.

On Monday, we sat with how growth dies when a strong idea gets shut down with “it’s political.” That silence is the symptom. Momentum is lost.

Politics feeds on vagueness. When no one knows who owns the call or what the rules are, fear takes over and decisions slip away.

Structure is what clears the fog. When the process is visible, politics has fewer places to hide.

Here’s a remedy that works:

1. Name the decision: write it clearly so no one can blur it later.

2. Define the criteria: pick 2–3 factors that matter most. (e.g., brand fit, customer impact, resources.)

3. Score ideas against the criteria: everyone uses the same scale, in the open.

4. Make the call: one owner signs off, but the reasoning is visible.

Netflix built its culture around this kind of structure. Their famous culture deck wasn’t just words on paper. It set clear principles for how decisions got made and who was accountable. By putting process above politics, they created space for bold ideas to move forward.

Reflections to work through:

What decision in your company feels stuck in “it’s political”?

Which criteria would cut through the fog on that decision?

Who should own the call, and who just needs to be heard?

Is fear steering your decisions, or is process? Let’s talk.

Ian Adams, Founder the little red sofa

Before founding the little red sofa, I led strategy and creative for brands like Jeep, HSBC, and Unilever at top global agencies and in-house teams across 8 countries. Now I work with founders to turn brand clarity into sustainable growth.