IMPORTANCE OF CONSENSUS

Instead of just a couple of people making decisions, consensus is a decision that everyone has contributed to. Consensus is meant to contribute to a sense of shared leadership. Using consensus helps to:

  • Ensure high quality decisions,
  • Builds connection among members, and
  • Increase effective implementation.

https://treegroup.info/library/consensus_basics/

In addition, while consensus is time-consuming, implementation of ideas once a decision is made is much faster, since the decision is understood and supported by everyone (http://seapointcenter.com/situational-team-decision-making/).

OVERVIEW OF CONSENSUS

Consensus is a decision that has been reached when most members of the team agree on a clear option and the few who oppose it think they have had a reasonable opportunity to influence that choice. All team members agree to support the decision. Consensus is a form of decision-making, different than taking a simple majority vote. There are times to use consensus, and times not to use consensus. A condition in a group in which every member is willing to “go along” with the decision without sabotaging it is called CONSENSUS. This does not mean that the decision gives everyone his or her first choice. It only means that a sufficient number of people are sufficiently in favor of a decision to get it carried out and no one will make himself or herself an obstacle to carrying it out.

UNPACKING CONSENSUS

When to Use Consensus

The group should agree to use consensus for a decision. Consensus is most appropriate when…

  • The decision has a broad impact.
  • You need everyone’s support for successful implementation.
  • The decision is highly critical or important.
  • There is no one right answer.
  • Everyone is accountable.

Guidelines for Consensus

  • Come to the discussion with an open mind. This doesn’t mean not thinking about the issue beforehand, but it does mean being willing to consider any other perspectives and ideas that come up in the discussion.
  • Listen to other people’s ideas and try to understand their reasoning.
  • Describe your reasoning briefly so other people can understand you. Avoid arguing for your own judgments and trying to make other people change their minds to agree with you.
  • Avoid changing your mind only to reach agreement and avoid conflict. Do not “go along” with decisions until you have resolved any reservations that you consider important.
  • View differences of opinion as helpful rather than harmful.
  • Avoid conflict-reducing techniques such as majority vote. Stick with the process a little longer and see if you can’t reach consensus after all.

CONSENSUS IN PRACTICE

Steps in the Process

If the group agreed to decision by consensus, then a very few individuals should be willing to support a position different from their own

  1. Work to clearly define the issue.
  2. Can each member of the group state the issue?
  3. Articulate a proposal.
  4. Assess group understanding of issue and proposal.
  5. Poll the group (rule of thumbs)
  6. Consensus is reached when roughly 80% of the group is at thumbs up or sideways.

CONSENSUS IN ACTION

Rule of Thumbs (Adapted from Leadership Academy, OLE).

I agree to without reservation and will work to support this proposal.

I agree but with some reservation and will work to support this proposal.

I disagree and will not support this proposal.

I need more information or I have a better idea.

Discussion Rules for Participating in an Academic Controversy

  • I am critical of ideas, not people.
  • I focus on making the best possible decision, not winning.
  • I encourage everyone to participate and master all relevant information.
  • I listen to everyone’s ideas, even if I do not agree.
  • I restate (paraphrase) what someone has said if it is not clear.
  • I bring out all the ideas and facts supporting both sides, then try to put them together in a way that makes sense.
  • I try to understand both sides of the issue.
  • I change my mind when the evidence indicates that I should do so.

Reflect on a past decision in your building where consensus was needed. Did the decision have true consensus? How did that impact implementation of the decision? Is there an upcoming decision that is best decided utilizing consensus?