JHU School of Education

Consensus Building

What is consensus building? Led by an unbiased facilitator All members contribute resources, ideas,

and opinions Everyone has a chance to share their

feelings Everyone can paraphrase the issue Involves a longer time-frame Compromise is reached All share in the final decision

Rules for Consensus Decision-Making Avoid arguing for your own position Don’t assume someone must lose and

someone must win at stalemate positions. Look for the next most acceptable alternative.

Don’t change your mind just to avoid conflict.

Avoid conflict-reducing techniques like majority vote, averages, coin toss, or bargaining.

Seek out differences of opinion.Robert Garmston, Facilitation Associates, 337 Guadalupe Drive, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, 916-933-2727

Consensus means that every member can say…

“I believe that you understand my point of view and that I understand yours.” “Whether or not I prefer the group decision, I support it because it was

                 • Reached fairly and openly                  • The best decisions at this time.”

Consensus building does not mean that… Someone loses and

someone wins The final decision is

the first choice of everyone

A unanimous vote is attained

Everyone agrees You change your

mind just to avoid conflict

If consensus is not possible … Look for the next most acceptable

alternative. As the administrator, you can

make an executive decision.

Resources A Vote for Consensus

http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/example/shea6284.htm

Consensus Building http://www.nps.gov/phso/rtcatoolbox/dec_consensus.htm

Consensus Decision Making http://ellis.melton.com/meetings/Consensus.html