I state the ground rules aloud at the start of planning sessions: rank comes off.

I have junior people speak first so my view doesn't anchor the room.

I speak last in collaborative planning sessions.

My ideas lose on merit in my own meetings, and I'm fine with that.

I evaluate proposals by their content, not their source.

I notice when deference is masquerading as agreement.

I invite the least senior person's assessment explicitly.

Once the plan is finalized, I put rank back on and make the final call myself.

I take every input and stress-test every idea, but I never run planning as decision by committee.

I check afterward: did the rank really come off, or did I still win by default?