CONSENSUS

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CONSENSUS
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CO NSENSUS

• A Group Decision Making Process

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CONSENSUS BUILDING

• A Group Decision Making Process
• In Which -- Everyone Is Heard
• Everyone Can Live With the Decision

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DEFINITION OF CONSENSUS

• A Decision in Which All Members of a Group Agree
  on the Result !

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DEFINITION OF CONSENSUS

• The Decision May Not Be Everyone's First Choice
  -but- Everyone Has Been Heard Everyone Can Live
  With the Decision

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Levels of Consensus

• Agree wholeheartedly
• Acceptable
• Can live with decision
• Do not totally agree, but wont block
• No unity, have not reached consensus

Folks typically ask How do we know when weve
reached consensus? Above shows the levels of
consensus. Consensus can and does happen at
levels 3 4. If folks are 75-80 comfortable
with the decision, can live with it and will not
block it - consensus is reached.
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Decision Making

• Unilateral

• Quick
• Appears decisive
• Crisis management

• No Feedback
• Barriers to implementation
• Assumes Leader Knows Best

Pitfalls
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Decision Making

• Majority Rule

• Voters can speak
• Breaks deadlocks
• Democratic

Pitfalls

• Can split group
• Cumbersome
• Assumes Majority is right

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Decision Making

• Consensus

• Smoother implementation
• Participation support
• Team building

• Reluctance to share power
• Easier in group of 12 or less
• Can appear time consuming

Pitfalls
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CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

• Don't Change Your Mind Just to Avoid Conflict
• Don't Agree too Quickly
• Ask Questions
• Raise Valid Doubts
• Offer Alternatives

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CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

• Don't Trade - Bargain
• Don't Vote
• Treat Differences As Strengths
• Don't Compete for Individual Ideas

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CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

• Try to Create a Solution That Can Be Supported
  By Everyone
• Aim for an Interest-Based Solution

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CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

• Actively Listen Pay Attention to Others
  Needs
• Encourage Participation But - Recognize
  Individual Styles
• Share Information

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CONSENSUS SUMMARY

• Do
• Get All Ideas Out
• Allow Time for Discussion
• Listen With an Open Mind

• Don't
• Vote
• Argue
• Insist on Your Position - Ignoring Other
  Possibilities

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I BELIEVE THAT I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT OF VIEW
CONSENSUS IS REACHED WHEN YOU CAN SAY

WHETHER OR NOT I PERSONALLY PREFER THIS
OPTION, I WILL SUPPORT IT BECAUSE THE DECISION
WAS ARRIVED AT IN A FAIR AND OPEN MANNER AND
IT IS THE BEST SOLUTION FOR US AT THIS TIME
I BELIEVE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND MY POINT OF
VIEW