Consensus Decision-making LO8093

Barry Mallis (bmallis@ns.markem.com)
25 Jun 1996 08:33:34 -0400

Reply to: RE>Consensus Decision-making LO8031

Lars asks "what happens if you go for commitment instead of consensus?"

I'd like to restate a point I believe I made some time ago about consensus
decision-making as we define, teach and practice it in team situations at
my manufacturing company location:

o Consensus is reached when all members can say they either agree with a
decision, or at least can live with it having "had their say", and feeling
that they've been heard.
o Consensus does not mean that there is 100% agreement that a given solution
is the absolute best decision, but it does mean that everyone can agree to the
benefits of the solution and its viability.
o Consensus means that no one on the team feel ethically or professionally
violated by the decision, and every agrees to support it.
o Consensus means no winners and losers, only winners.

Agree to Disagree.
Disagree and commit.

In postings to this list I read today, there was interesting commentary
about "win-win", and its siblings. I wish to point out that as my company
seeks to have its 85 year old culture change positively and dynamically
for the sake of its world-wide customers, we support team work--especially
cross-functional team work. This eye-opening activity directly linked to
Total Quality practices, while supported by members of this list and in
various forward-looking organizations, is also NOT practiced in many
(most?) organizations today.

Let's not kid ourselves. The path to quality organizations where learning
makes knowledge makes skill is hard for most.

In summary, consensus is reached in my environment when we can say:
although it may not be my first choice, I can live with it and I can
support it. Lay the foundation of attitude and sensitivity and build
consensus decision-making upon it.

Best regards,

-- 
Barry Mallis
bmallis@markem.com
Total Quality Resource Manager
MARKEM Corporation
Keene, NH
 

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