What is Consensus?

What is consensus?

Consensus is a process for group decision-making. The goal of consensus is for the group to work collaboratively to achieve better solutions, and to promote the growth of community and trust amoung the group members. All the partipants are encouraged to give ideas and input. The input and ideas of all participants are gathered and synthesized to arrive at a final decision acceptable to all. Consensus requires members to listen and understand all sides of the issue.

Decision-making 

Many of the decisions we face demand that we find ways to listen to opposing points of view, and find ways to accommodate deeply held and differing values. Conventional decision making mechanisms tend to exclude rather than include diverse interests and do not cope well with the complexity that many social issues present. In spite of this, Consensus Decision Making is currently the least used form of conflict resolution, taking a back seat to majority voting, Robert's rules, adversarial processes, and power structures. In spite of this, decision making by consensus can also be the most powerful and durable form of agreement! 

Consensus

Decision making is as much about conflict as it is about agreement. Consensus works better in an atmosphere in which conflict is encouraged, supported, explored and resolved cooperatively with respect and creativity. Conflict is desirable. It is not something to be avoided, dismissed, diminished or denied.

While consensus decision making may not be appropriate in all circumstances, it can be invaluable in reconciling competing interests, forging cooperative partnerships and exploring creative solutions to complex issues. Consensus processes do not avoid conflict or require abdication of leadership - but call upon leaders to forge partnerships that work toward developing solutions. A consensus process provides an opportunity for participants to work together as equals to realize acceptable actions or outcomes without imposing the views or authority of one group over another.

A consensus process is one where all those who have a stake in the outcome work together to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties. Consensus is sometimes spoken of as "more or less unanimous", or "virtual unanimity", or "consensus minus one..or two". But true consensus brooks no such dilution. Every party thus has a veto power, and unanimity may seem an unattainable goal - but consensus when achieved, creates commitment to the agreement, and that is a powerful motivating force. Either all parties support a settlement or there is no consensus. Although they may not regard all aspects of the agreement as ideal, consensus is reached if all participants are willing to live with "the total package."

Consensus vs. voting

 
Voting is a means to choose one alternative from several. Consensus is a process of synthesizing many diverse elements together. Voting is almost always faster than consensus, but it may deter full discussions of ideas and may leave subgroups that do not support a decision, and in the worse case, disaffected members may work to undermine the decision they do not support. Consensus tries to create solutions that all the group members will support.

Advantages of consensus

·         The process builds trust and a sense of community among the members

·         All ideas and viewpoints are heard and considered giving the widest range of ideas to work from

·         Solutions are supported by the whole group

Consensus may be difficult if:

·         The group is new and not used to working with each other.

·         The group does not understand consensus process or has some members who do not.

·         The group is larger than 20

·         People are upset about something but not willing to address the issue directly.

·         The issue is complicated and there are a lot of options.

·         There aren't any good options available.

·         The correct question hasn't been posed.

Consensus should probably not be used when:

·         Members of the group attack each other over their positions, causing people to not state their real opinions or truths for fear of being attacked.

·         There is no agreed upon mission, purpose or principals for the group.

·         There is not an agreed upon consensus process for the group to use.

·         There is a clear hierarchy in the system where one persons opinions dominate, eg the boss speaks and countering the bosses ideas will cause negative consequences.

·         Individuals use blocking as a means to get their way or threaten to do so in order to influence the outcome.

·         There really is not a best answer for the group as a whole. For   example, colour choices as a design issue are entirely opinion based, and whether green or blue is best is a matter of opinion. There is no best answer.

Disadvantages of Consensus Decision Making

·         Takes time in a group meeting to hear everyone's ideas and opinions; the larger the group, the more time needed

·         The group has to consider all viewpoints and sort them out

·         Trust is needed among members to encourage idea and opinion sharing

·         Group leaders must use facilitation rather than control

·         Blocking allows one individual to hold up the whole group

Sample Steps for a basic consensus process

1.        Describe and define the problem, situation, or issue

2.        Write the exact item so all can see and refer to it

3.        Encourage people to offer ideas, opinions, and comments relevant to the item

4.        Brainstorm a list of alternatives without judging, discussing, or   rejecting any ideas

5.        Evaluate the list of alternatives and create a draft proposal that combines the best of all the ideas

6.        Review, revise the proposal until it meets the best interests of the group

7.        Write down the final proposal

8.        Ask if any one has any issues regarding adopting the proposal, if there are none left, you have achieved consensus

9.        Evaluate the results later; revise if needed

Special consensus problems

·         Facilitator is lacking or poorly trained so group does not function effectively

·         The group is poorly trained in consensus, or has numerous new members that lack training or experience with consensus

·         People do not really share their ideas or objections in order to end the meeting quickly.

·         People agree to things they really don't want in order to get along or because they are afraid to speak up.

·         The group is deadlocked between two alternative proposals

·         Two or more group members dominate the issue, participation is not equal.

·         One or more group members withdraw from the process

·         Group avoids consideration of unpopular alternative ideas

·         Group climate is hostile, members attack each others ideas creating a negative atmosphere

·         Two or more group members have an unresolved conflict which affects the issue.

·         Behaviors, attitudes, or personality problems keep the group from working effectively

·         One member blocks, or threatens to block, for personal gain or to exercise power.

·         Issues do not get resolved, keep getting sent back to subgroup for more refinement, subgroup loses interest or becomes demoralized after continued efforts do not achieve a solution.

·         Group members who were not present at the discusssion bring up the same issues again.

·         Group members are not willing to compromise or work for the best interest of the group.