Standing up and saying something is wrong still requires a backbone, even if you take it no further. There are a lot of people who won't even go that far.

Yes, but the word backbone isn't being applied to disagreeing - the people being addressed are already disagreeing. The word is being applied (dishonestly, disrespectfully, and antagonistically) to "committing".

The wording isn't really optimal. I think the intent is that you should show backbone and disagree with a plan if you don't agree with it but you should then commit if the decision ultimately goes against you.

The basic formulation originally comes from Intel. The idea is that if you don't get your way you shouldn't constantly try to force a re-examination of the decision as often happens.

It comes from Amazon's Leadership Principles (LPs) [1] which honestly feel like the vestiges of the company's heyday. The two new ones (at the bottom) were added by Andy Jassy when he took over and are a joke within the company. But here's what this post's title is referring to

> Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit

> Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

[1] - https://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/our-workplace/leadership-...