[mtberatwork]

> managers cannot disagree with each other in front of other employees

People have a difficult time receiving criticism, let alone in front of a group people/subordinates. I'm guessing this policy was put in place due to past incidences. The art of disagreeing with someone without coming off as disparaging isn't always straight-forward, but there are ways. e.g. "That's a good idea, but have thought of this way..." vs "That's not going to work. This is the way to do it.". You might want to try re-framing things when you are at a point of disagreement. If that doesn't work, probably best to speak with the person offline then and avoid a stressful situation.

[jlokier]

There is also the problem that when significant disagreements between key players are known, that gives those people who are inclined to take advantage enormous power to amplify minor stresses into major ones, and to manipulate the disagreeing parties into things neither of them want.

An adult version of "but mummy said..." with all the office politic complexity that goes with it.