Write the decision you want at the top Meaning Factcheck Usage
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You know that feeling when a meeting ends and you’re not sure what was decided? Dale Carnegie’s advice to “Write the decision you want at the top” is the ultimate antidote. It forces clarity from the very start, transforming vague discussions into productive, action-oriented sessions. It’s a simple trick with profound results.

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Meaning

It means starting with the end in mind. Before a single word is spoken, you define the desired outcome. You’re not just planning a discussion; you’re architecting a result.

Explanation

Look, I’ve run hundreds of meetings, and the messy ones always have one thing in common: they’re reactive. People just show up and talk. Carnegie’s method flips the script completely. It makes you proactive. By writing down the decision you need—like, literally at the top of your notepad or shared doc—you create a magnetic north for the entire conversation. Every topic, every point of debate, can be measured against that goal. “Does this get us closer to that decision?” If not, you park it. It saves an incredible amount of time and mental energy. It’s the difference between wandering in the woods and walking straight to a destination.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (4111)
CategoryBusiness (319)
Topicsagenda (2), decision (45)
Literary Styledirective (43)
Emotion / Moodrealistic (402)
Overall Quote Score59 (46)
Reading Level29
Aesthetic Score58

Origin & Factcheck

This gem comes straight from Carnegie’s 1956 book, How to Save Time and Get Better Results in Conferences, published in the United States. It’s a lesser-known work compared to his mega-hit How to Win Friends and Influence People, but it’s packed with this kind of practical, no-nonsense advice for professionals.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorDale Carnegie (790)
Source TypeBook (4708)
Source/Book NameHow to Save Time and Get Better Results in Conferences (31)
Origin TimeperiodModern (866)
Original LanguageEnglish (4111)
AuthenticityVerified (4708)

Author Bio

Dale Carnegie(1888), an American writer received worldwide recognition for his influential books on relationship, leadership, and public speaking. His books and courses focus on human relations, and self confidence as the foundation for success. Among his timeless classics, the Dale Carnegie book list includes How to Win Friends and Influence People is the most influential which inspires millions even today for professional growth.
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Where is this quotation located?

QuotationWrite the decision you want at the top of the agenda
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: circa 1956 (course booklet) ISBN/Unique Identifier: Unknown Last edition. Number of pages: Common reprints ~32–48 pages (varies by printing)
Where is it?Section Agenda by Outcome, Unverified – Edition 1956, page range ~8–10

Authority Score84

Context

Carnegie was writing in a post-war business boom where efficiency was becoming king. He framed this not as a manipulative tactic, but as a tool for respecting everyone’s time. The book is a manual for making conferences—a catch-all term for any business meeting—shorter, more focused, and vastly more productive for everyone involved.

Usage Examples

So how do you actually use this? It’s dead simple.

  • For a Project Kickoff: Your desired decision: “We approve the Q3 launch plan and assign core team leads.” Now your meeting is about reviewing the plan to get to that yes, not just passively listening to a presentation.
  • For a Content Strategy Meeting: Your desired decision: “We select ‘The Future of AI’ as our next pillar content topic.” The discussion is now a debate to crown a winner, not an endless brainstorm.
  • For a Personal 1:1: Your desired decision: “My manager approves my request for the advanced analytics training.” This focuses your justification and makes your “ask” clear from the outset.

This works for team leaders, managers, and anyone who ever needs to align a group of people. It’s pure leadership fuel.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeAdvice (759)
Audiencesexecutives (153), facilitators (34), product managers (38), project managers (35)
Usage Context/Scenarioagenda writing (4), governance meetings (2), product councils (5), sprint reviews (2), standups (11), steering committees (7)

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Motivation Score55
Popularity Score72
Shareability Score56

FAQ

Question: Isn’t this too rigid? What if new ideas come up?
Answer: Great question. The goal isn’t to stifle creativity; it’s to channel it. If a brilliant new idea emerges, you test it against your initial desired decision. Maybe it’s even better! So you can update the decision at the top. The point is you’re always driving toward a concrete outcome, not just having a “good chat.”

Question: What if I don’t have the authority to make the final decision?
Answer: Then you reframe it. The decision you want might be “The group agrees to recommend Option A to the steering committee.” You’re still creating a clear, collective output for the meeting.

Question: Do I literally have to write it at the *top*?
Answer: Yes, I’d recommend it. Physically. There’s a psychological weight to it being the first thing everyone sees. It sets the tone. It’s your stake in the ground.

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