·
Group
decision-making process
·
Everyone's
opinion is encouraged and valued
·
Differences
are viewed as helpful rather than hindering
·
All
voices are heard and understood before an effort to finalize a decision is made
·
After
full discussion, those who continue to disagree indicate willingness to
experiment for a prescribed period of time
·
All
members share in final decision-making
·
Can
be informal or use formal procedures
·
Members
are more likely to support the decision
·
Provides
for a win-win solution
·
Facilitates
open communication
·
Requires
members to listen and understand all sides of the issue
·
Sets
the stage for an action - Who, What, Where, When.
·
Trust
is needed among members of group to encourage sharing
·
Group
leaders must use facilitation rather than control
·
Takes
more time to reach consensus, especially in larger groups
·
7
magic number for reaching group consensus
·
One
or two people tend to dominate larger groups
1.
Identify
and define problem, situation, or issue
2.
Brainstorm
list of alternatives –suspend judgment; do not discuss or reject any ideas
3.
Review,
change, consolidate, rewrite and set priorities as a group through discussion
4.
Make
a decision and put in writing
5.
Later,
review and evaluate results; revise as needed
Everyone
in your group works at the same agency, however, some members provide direct
services to clients while others serve in support and administrative
capacities. Your agency has a very limited budget this year, so it has been
decided that all in-service training provided by the agency will include
everyone at the same time. You will need to reach group consensus on the topics
of professional development that will be covered.
Adapted from Making Decisions by Consensus at:
http://spokane-county.wsu.edu/SPOKANE.EDU/Family/consen.htm