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In my books and lectures, I have long stated that decision-making requires democracy and implementation requires dictatorship — and from this, a new word was born: democraship. It appears in all our manuals and slides.

I now recognize that the "dictatorship in implementation" framing was only partially right. I was confusing output with input. I described how people behave during implementation without explaining why they behave that way.

The real driver of efficient implementation is common interest.

When stakeholders share a common interest, they naturally align behind it, support the actions taken, and hold each other accountable. If someone violates the common interest, there are consequences. That accountability is what gave rise to the word "dictatorship." But the word obscures something essential: that alignment must be arrived at, not imposed.

True dictatorship is dysfunctional. A dictator declares what is right, demands everyone adopt it as their own interest, and sends dissenters to the Gulag — or worse. That is not what the Adizes Symbergetic™ Management methodology promotes.

What we actually promote is this:

When a problem arises, bring the CAPI group together. Begin by identifying the common interest all stakeholders share in solving the problem. Each stakeholder should articulate:

• What is the problem, as they see it?
• What is their stake in solving it?
• Why does it matter to them?

Through respectful discussion, the group works toward a common interest — one that is discovered together, not handed down from above. This is a democratic process.

Once that common interest is established, strict discipline follows. No deviation from the agreed goal is permitted. Everyone works in unison. That discipline — that unity of action — is what was previously called "dictatorship." The word was a shortcut that caused confusion.

Practical implication for Synerteam sessions:

When the Synerteam convenes and there is capi in the room, begin the defreezing phase by asking each participant to express their interest in solving the problem. This is the accumulation phase. Then proceed through the eight steps to reach a conclusion that everyone genuinely supports.