Guidelines for Making Decisions by Consensus
It is crucial that team members learn how to achieve consensus to make decisions as a team. As teams evolve the leader can involve the team in decisions that all members will support and be accountable for. The fully evolved team at times can take on managerial decisions with the approval of the manager.
In my last article and video on stage II of team development I covered the skills that team members need to learn to move to stage III. Consensus building is one of these essential skills.
What to Avoid in Arriving at Consensus
- Avoid arguing blindly for your own opinion
- Avoid changing your mind just to comply or to avoid conflict
- Avoid going to a majority vote or tactics like flipping a coin
What to Seek in Arriving at Consensus
- Encourage differences of opinion. Diverse viewpoint enhances the quality of the final decision,
- Look for the most acceptable alternative for all members
- Listen carefully to one another
- Ensure the participation of all team members in voicing their viewpoint
When facilitating our leadership and team training workshops, I use non-verbal communication to see if the teams have achieved consensus. I ask for thumbs up for those in agreement, thumbs down for those against and hand wavering for those in between (see video).
Non-verbal communication is a great way to know if you have achieved consensus. If a member has thumbs down, then there is no consensus. You must continue your discussion until you get at least a mix of thumbs up or in between. This means you might need to find another alternative or modify the decision.
When a decision is reached through following these guidelines to consensus, you have a much greater chance that all actions needed to be taken to support the decision will be made.
Decision-making through consensus is a foundation for teamwork and will contribute to team members feeling empowered and motivated in their job.