Principle #34: Watch out for the decider problem.

In the world of crypto, fortunes are made—and lost—because people chase hype. Some influencer tweets “Buy this coin!” and thousands jump in. No one checks the blockchain, the project fundamentals, or even if the coin does anything useful. The result? A wallet full of worthless tokens.

Organizations make the same mistake. We sometimes support decisions because of who made them, not because the idea itself holds value. That’s the Decider Problem: letting loyalty, charisma, or hierarchy cloud judgment.

Why It Matters

When decisions are trusted solely because the “big player” backs them, we risk building on weak foundations. The project looks good because the decider said so, not because it actually solves the problem. This creates hidden vulnerabilities that surface later—when it’s too late to pull out without heavy losses.

The Hero’s Move

Do your due diligence: Just like checking a crypto token’s white paper, look at the real data behind the decision.
Separate the decider from the decision: Ask, Would this still be a good move if someone else proposed it?
Invite perspective: Decisions improve when diverse voices stress-test the logic.

The Next Step

Before you back the next big “organizational coin,” pause and evaluate. Is the idea strong enough on its own merits—or are you just following the decider’s hype?

Because in crypto and leadership alike, blind loyalty is expensive.