With two Alpha dogs in the room, it’s an easy conclusion that there’s eventually going to be a difference of opinion on key issues.

We’ve been running through a particular situation for almost two weeks, and the initial binary state of Yes/No left us divided, but clear. You say Yes, so you run with it. I say No, so I’ll just pack away my misgivings and support you as much as I can without caving. Oddly, though tension built over that Yes/No, the real tension didn’t start until we both gave into the temptation to build camps and start arguing our cases.

Why the tension?

Now we’re stuck in a firm “I don’t know what to do” instead of a clear Yes/No.

I think we’re being sellouts and encouraging bad behaviour by saying Yes, but we’re in too deep to say No without disgrace. He thinks we’re missing a really good business opportunity by saying No, but is weighing the odds of Yes turning out well.

I’ve been told that being successful in business requires taking some risks. I’m not sure what we’re risking at this point. Are we risking a project going poorly or our business as a whole? Am I exaggerating the gravity of the situation or diminishing?

Perhaps it’s time to just flip a coin.