How to Recognize Decision Theatre

Decision theatre is a meeting format that resembles a decision-making process without actually producing decisions. It has all the props: a presentation, a discussion, a list of options, a room full of stakeholders. What it does not have is a decision at the end.

The hallmarks of decision theatre

• The decision has already been made before the meeting starts, and the meeting exists to create the appearance of consultation
• The options presented are not genuinely equal — one is clearly preferred and the others exist to make the preferred option look reasonable by comparison
• Questions are answered with more questions, or with "that's a great point, let's take that offline"
• The meeting ends with "we'll take all of this into consideration" rather than a decision
• A follow-up meeting is scheduled to "finalize" the decision that was supposed to be made in this meeting

Why it happens

Decision theatre is not always intentional. Sometimes it happens because the decision-maker is not ready to commit. Sometimes it happens because the organization values consensus but has not built a process for achieving it. Sometimes it happens because someone wants to feel heard without the meeting actually changing anything.

And sometimes it is intentional: a way of managing the appearance of inclusion while maintaining control of the outcome.

What to do if you are in it

Ask directly: "What decision are we making today, and who is making it?" This question cuts through most decision theatre because it requires a specific answer. If the answer is vague, the meeting is not a decision meeting.

If the decision has already been made, ask for it to be stated. "It sounds like we've already decided X — is that right?" This is not confrontational. It is clarifying. It saves everyone the time of performing a decision process for a decision that is already done.

Read next

→ What Happens When Everybody Owns the Action Item

→ The Meeting Outcome Prediction Framework