The one-way door versus the two-way door

Some decisions are consequential and irreversible – one-way doors – and these decisions must be made methodically, carefully, slowly. But most decisions aren’t like that – they are changeable, reversible – they’re two-way doors.
– Jeff Bezos – 2015 Letter to Amazon Shareholders

One of the key strengths that I’ve built over the years – especially when working with clients and with my colleagues and team members – is being able to cut through the noise, then to be decisive with a bias for action.

It’s a skill that was first mentored to me by Des Penny, the founder of Proteus. This was way back in 1999 when I first joined the business – and it’s stayed with me ever since!

When someone shares what feels like a big, tangled challenge, I can usually see or get to the root cause quickly, map a way forward, and then spot the obvious next steps.

It’s a skill that I’m proud of – and honestly, it’s helped a lot of people get moving when they were stuck. But if I’m being real… it doesn’t always work that way when it comes down to my own decisions.

When it’s me on the hook – my work, my life, my risks – well, suddenly things can feel a lot more overwhelming, and more complicated than they probably need to.

I must admit that I’ve spent longer than I care to think about tying myself in knots over decisions, that looking back upon, weren’t actually that big a deal.

And that’s exactly why the One-Way Door vs Two-Way Door approach hit me right between the eyes when I first came across it. It’s a simple idea – one that completely changed the way I think when making decisions. Especially when I’m stuck or find myself procrastinating over a personal dilemma, or a workplace challenge.

The Doors We Create

Not every decision carries the same weight – even though, in the moment, they can all feel massive.

Some decisions are called One-Way Doors.

Once you walk through, there’s no easy way back. You’ve committed. The stakes are high and very real. These calls deserve extra thought, perspective and care.

But most decisions are not One-Way Doors. They’re Two-Way Doors!

You can step through, test the waters, and if it’s not what you hoped, you can step back, tweak things, and keep moving. There’s no need for drama. No need for paralysis.

It’s a concept popularised by Jeff Bezos. Whether you love him, loathe him, or sit somewhere in the middle, it’s one of his most practical and useful contributions to leadership thinking. As he puts it:

“Many decisions are reversible, two-way doors. If you’ve made a suboptimal decision, you don’t have to live with the consequences for that long. You can re-open the door and go back through.”

The real trap? We often treat Two-Way Doors like they’re One-Way – blowing them out of proportion in our minds… slowing ourselves down when we should just be moving forward.

Action Precedes Clarity (and Beats Perfection)

The best leaders (as we know) aren’t perfect decision-makers – they’re just fast learners. They’re willing to decide, act, and course-correct if they need to. They don’t wait around trying to predict every possible outcome.

One of our favourite Proteus mantras is a Peter Sheahan quote: “Action Precedes Clarity.”

Waiting for perfect clarity is a trap. And honestly? Most of the time, the clarity we’re waiting for only comes after we act, not before.

That’s why great leaders create momentum – not because they know everything, but because they’re willing to move and take healthy risks.

The Real Threat is Inaction

There’s nothing wrong with being cautious when the stakes are genuinely high. If you’re making a call that is a One-Way Door – slow down. Stress-test it. Bring in your best thinking.

But if it’s a Two-Way Door – and nine times out of ten, it will be – then make the call. Step forward. Trust your ability to figure it out.

Brené Brown captures it perfectly:

“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.” or as Arianna Huffington echoes: “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.”

Leadership isn’t about avoiding mistakes. It’s about having a Growth Mindset and building cultures where action, learning, and adaptability are the norm.

And in truth, sitting still usually causes far more damage than making a decision and adjusting as you go – especially when it’s only a Two-Way Door challenge!

Making the Shift

Next time you feel stuck, before you spin yourself into another round of what-ifs, ask yourself two questions:

Is this decision a One-Way Door, or a Two-Way Door?

If it’s a Two-Way Door (and it probably is), what’s the next best step I can take?

You don’t have to see the entire path. You just need to move through the door and trust yourself to navigate towards what’s next.

At the end of the day, momentum beats perfection. Every Time.

So back yourself. Make the call.

The door’s right there – just open it!

“Choosing courage over comfort is not always easy, but it is always worth it.”
– Brené Brown

Richard Dore
CEO – Proteus Leadership