Resolve or Debate?
From the Support to Develop Blog
by Luis Branco
This blog addresses management-related topics and has three areas of focus: 1. Technical skills; 2. Competencies in the field of interpersonal relations and communication (including personal organization and delegation, leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, conducting meetings, and negotiation); and 3. Strategy (including diagnosis, strategic guidelines, and implementation).4.Technology
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Date
The Eternal Dilemma Between Managers and Committees
In a volunteer project, Maria and her team had just 48 hours to deliver essential food baskets to a struggling community — and they still needed a truck no one could find.
Should they appoint a leader or form a group to decide?
That choice changed everything. But… was it the right one?
Maybe you’ve heard this saying:
“If you want results, appoint a manager. If you don’t want results, appoint a committee.”
It sounds like a joke — or a corporate proverb — but its echo goes far beyond boardrooms. It reaches small businesses, non-profits, associations, and even groups of friends planning a trip.
Let’s strip this dilemma of its biases and explore what’s really at stake.
Who’s been your “Maria” in a story like this?
When a Manager Becomes the Hero
A manager is like a captain steering a ship through a storm: They define the direction, cut through hesitation, and act with purpose.
Here’s what makes managers effective:
- Clear Accountability – Someone takes the helm and owns the outcome.
- Swift Decisions – No detours. Just point north and go.
- Execution Focus – Less talking. More doing.
Think of Tesla in 2020. As the pandemic disrupted supply chains, Elon Musk adjusted production within days, keeping operations steady. Speed won the day.
- Have you ever seen a manager turn the tide like that?
The Bright Side of Committees
Committees can also shine — when the context calls for it.
Think of them as a council of architects designing a bridge: they take longer, but they build with depth.
They’re most effective when:
- The problem is complex – More minds reveal better angles.
- Consensus is key – Without alignment, nothing moves.
- Legitimacy matters – The “how” is as important as the “what.”
- Diversity sparks insight – Different perspectives fuel better ideas.
Consider the Paris Agreement — a global committee aligned dozens of nations on climate policy. Or a local SME where a product launch plan gained strong buy-in after collaborative input.
- Have you seen a committee surprise you with real results?
Manager or Committee? Here's a Decision Map
Which path to choose? It depends on the terrain. Here’s a quick guide:
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When to Prioritize a Manager
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When to Prioritize a Committee
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High Urgency (the clock is ticking)
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Ambiguous or Sensitive Problem
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Focus on Execution (hands-on work)
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Focus on Legitimacy (everyone on board)
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Quick Decisions (no time to waste)
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Broad Acceptance (unity is strength)
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Clear Situation (the target is obvious)
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High Complexity (many angles to consider)
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In a financial crisis, a manager may cut costs in hours. In a delicate merger, a committee may build the trust required to move forward.
The secret? Combine both
A clear leader supported by a consultative team can turn chaos into progress.
That’s how the startup Inovex turned a derailed project into a success story — blending decisive leadership with collective intelligence.
The Real Villain
What really derails progress?
It’s not the manager. It’s not the committee.
It’s indecision, cleverly disguised as discussion.
When we truly want to resolve, the path becomes clear. When we want to delay, committees become the perfect shelter.
- What’s held you back in that limbo?
Your Turn
From your experience:
· When did the choice between manager and committee make all the difference?
- What lessons did you take away?
- What advice would you give someone at this crossroads?
- What story would you like to share?
Drop your favorite case in the comments — I’d love to hear it.
Posted on: April 11, 2025 02:14 PM |
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Comments (9)
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Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani
You're very welcome!
I'm glad you found it helpful.
Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or thoughts!
Noble Nutifafa
Director of ICT| Judicial Service of Ghana
Accra Central, Aa, Ghana
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps
Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Thanks for sharing
I enjoyed this Corporate proverb “If you want results, appoint a manager. If you don’t want results, appoint a committee.”
Learning something new
Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Noble Nutifafa
You're very welcome!
I'm glad you found it helpful.
Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or thoughts!
Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Thanks for your kind words!
Glad you enjoyed it — it’s a sharp one, isn’t it?
Sometimes the simplest sayings carry deep truths about how we work (or don’t!).
Always a pleasure to share something that sparks reflection and learning.
What are your thoughts on incorporate steering committees into projects, and how to stay a clear leader even amidst many voices? Great article!
Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Amanda Loewy
Great question — and thank you!
Steering committees can be incredibly valuable when they’re well-designed: they bring strategic oversight, stakeholder alignment, and diversity of thought.
But they can also blur lines of accountability if not well managed.
To stay a clear leader amidst many voices, here are a few principles I’ve found helpful:
- Clarify roles early — Who advises? Who decides? Who delivers? Ambiguity here is where momentum dies.
- Frame the committee as a sounding board, not a cockpit — The leader still pilots, but with radar support.
- Manage expectations actively — Share progress, invite input, but also reinforce decision boundaries.
- Practice reflective listening — People want to feel heard before they’ll follow.
When the leader listens with openness and acts with clarity, even a room full of voices won’t dilute direction — it will amplify it.
Thanks again for the thoughtful comment — would love to hear your experience with this in your projects!
Hi Luis, thank you for the thoughtful response. I agree role definition is so important, because there are usually a lot of cooks in the kitchen and it seems like everyone wants to be 'head chef.'
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"Be Yourself" is about the worst advice you can give to people.
- Mark Twain
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