In this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate balance between quick decision-making and trust in AI startups with co-hosts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill. The conversation centers on a real-world scenario where a major decision was made without the usual team consultation, revealing the intricate dynamics of startup decision-making. Akhila explains that successful startups operate like "slimes" - flexible entities that can reshape themselves around their core mission and purpose, with trust serving as the binding agent that allows founders to make rapid gut decisions when needed. The discussion reveals that early-stage startups rely heavily on intuition and gut feelings, much like the stories behind Netflix, SpaceX, and FedEx. As companies mature and gain more resources, the decision-making process shifts from instinct-driven choices to data-driven approaches. The hosts emphasize that the key to effective startup decision-making lies in understanding team perspectives, maintaining pure intentions aligned with company mission, and developing the cognitive ability to quickly weigh pros and cons across multiple scenarios. This balance of trust, speed, and strategic thinking becomes the formula that separates successful startups from those that get bogged down in endless deliberation. Music By: Harvey Waldman