Whether at a large corporate or a small start up there exists a problem you've likely encountered: how to get people to align and "buy-in" to a decision. For developers this can be especially tricky, as they are the ones who are building your product and need to have the most buy-in by definition. At NanoAPI, we’ve developed an unconventional yet highly effective way to strike the perfect balance between decisive leadership and team buy-in: Quick Time Events (QTEs).
This post covers the first of many NanoAPI-isms: things we do to stand out and change the way companies operate by thinking critically about what our goals are.
The CEO (or Leader) as a "Tolerant, Benevolent Dictator"
In our time at Techstars Berlin we've had the opportunity to learn from some truly amazing voices in the startup space.
One such person clued us in to market research which consistently shows that the best startups are often led by a CEO who acts as a "tolerant, benevolent dictator"—someone who is ultimately responsible for making tough calls but still respects the input and expertise of their team. This approach ensures that decisions align with a strong vision and strategic goals.
However, the “dictator” model runs the risk of alienating team members if they feel left out of the process. Left unchecked, this can lead to quiet quitting and other forms of team opt-out. To prevent this we've created Quick Time Events (QTEs).
What Are Quick Time Events?
Borrowed from the gaming world, a Quick Time Event is a brief, interactive sequence where players must act decisively to achieve a specific outcome. In the NanoAPI context, a QTE is a structured, high-energy meeting designed to rapidly gather input and achieve consensus on key decisions. Think of it as a "decision sprint" that happens all in one meeting.
Especially for startups, having alignment on efforts can save hundreds of hours of time in the long rung.
How NanoAPI Implements Quick Time Events
Here’s how we run QTEs to accelerate decision-making while keeping our team engaged and aligned:
1. Define the Problem in Advance
Before a QTE, the leadership team clearly defines the problem or decision that needs to be made. This includes any necessary context or background, so the team comes in ready to contribute.
2. Set a Time Limit
The hallmark of a QTE is urgency. We allocate a strict time limit—often no more than 30–45 minutes. This forces everyone to focus on what’s truly important and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
3. Gather Focused Input
In the meeting, we present the problem and outline potential options. Each team member gets a brief window (e.g., 1-2 minutes) to share their perspective. This ensures every voice is heard while keeping the discussion moving quickly.
4. Facilitate Rapid Consensus
Once input is gathered, the CEO synthesizes the feedback and makes a decision—live, in the meeting. This step emphasizes accountability and decisiveness while showing the team that their input directly influenced the outcome.
5. Document and Act
Immediately after the QTE, we document the decision and any action items. Everyone leaves the meeting knowing exactly what’s happening next and who’s responsible for what. For implementation of new features, this is where a follow up meeting would be scheduled to create and refine tickets.
Why It Works
- Speed: By focusing discussion and enforcing time limits, QTEs ensure decisions are made quickly.
- Clarity: The process removes ambiguity, making it clear how and why a decision was reached.
- Buy-In: Team members feel valued and heard, even when the final call rests with leadership.
- Momentum: With decisions made on the spot, we can move forward immediately, maintaining our startup’s velocity.
The Results
Since adopting Quick Time Events, NanoAPI has seen a significant improvement in our decision-making speed and team alignment. Whether it’s choosing a product direction, deciding on a technical architecture, or setting our go-to-market strategy, QTEs help us maintain our startup’s agility without sacrificing team cohesion.
Closing Thoughts
Startups are inherently chaotic, but with the right systems in place, you can turn that chaos into a competitive advantage. At NanoAPI, Quick Time Events have become a cornerstone of our culture, allowing us to combine the decisiveness of a “benevolent dictator” with the collective wisdom of our team.
If you’re looking for a way to turbocharge decision-making at your startup, consider giving QTEs a try. Who knows—they might just become your team’s secret weapon, too.
What’s your take on this approach? Drop a comment below, or reach out to share how your team tackles the decision-making challenge!
This is the first of many posts on how we run our devtools company. If you're looking to see more of this, give us a follow.
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Credit to u/magickdinopx for the cover art.
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