[Dialogue] Consensus--BS?

Mon Oct 15 12:26:33 EDT 2007

Jim,

I totally agree with you here -- and I'm one of the fast-thinking,
fast-talking types. But since I left the order, most of my professional life
has been one long lesson in learning to patiently allow those who operate
differently than me go through their own process. I'm fortunate to have
usually been in organisations where I was one of a few, or only, people that
processed things quickly and I've appreciated the value of slowing down and
mulling things over. . .

  - Tracy E. Longacre 
    VSO Volunteer 
    Bamenda, Cameroon 

The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor ecstasy for
oneself, but the wisdom and power to serve others. 

Joseph Campbell

    Cameroon Blog: http://telcameroon.vox.com/ 
    Running Blog: http://revruns.blogspot.com/ 
    Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlongacre/ 

  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Jim Baumbach
Sent: Monday, 15 October, 2007 5:53 PM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Consensus--BS?

Due to a different brain wiring than the more outspoken, extroverted types
in the Order, I often found myself left completely out of the process.  When
I was serious about participating in any discussions that involved
decisions, it always took much effort to listen to what was being said and
an even longer time to formulate my own thoughts about it.  When my thoughts
started to clarify to a point that I felt I could intelligently express
them, the group had moved well beyond them.  Expressing these thoughts when
others had gone onto other issues was commonly rejected by hearing "we've
already discussed that, where have you been?"  After several years of
frustration I reached a point where I decided if the decision was something
I agreed with, I'd support it.  If not, I chucked it out of my way and moved
on.

Consensus decision making takes time not only because of the diverse
opinions around the table but also because there are those of us who need
time to think over the model, etc. in order to formulate our responses.  In
the fast paced life of the Order, time always seemed to too little, too
late.  It felt as if so many consensed decisions were plopped on us with a
take it or leave it attitude.

In addition to diversity of opinions, consensus building takes time for
those who think fast and talk fast to wait for people who think slower and
talk less.

Jim Baumbach

FacilitationFla at aol.com wrote: 

 I've used this in my facilitation classes for quite a few years; Gary
Forbes and I created the definition.  The other information I gathered over
the years.

Consensus Definition: 

"Consensus is that everyone has participated in, understands, and is 

committed to supporting the group decision."

A lasting agreement has 3 components:

1.  Content Satisfaction

          "I understand the decision; I can support the group decision."

          This is more powerful than the usual "I can live with the
decision"

          It means that given the time we have to discuss and the 

          need to make a decision by a certain time/date,  this is the best 

          decision we can make now as a group.

          As in a wedding when people are asked to 'speak now or 

          forever  hold their peace'. It is also a commitment not to 

          downgrade the decision after the meeting.

2.  Procedural Satisfaction:

        "I participated in the process."

          I offered up my ideas and people listened to me; facilitation 

          processes were utilized to maximize participation.

3.   Psychological Satisfaction:

          "I felt I was treated with respect during the process."

           No one put me down; the facilitator protected me so that my ideas

          and explanation of my ideas were heard and considered seriously.

Cynthia N. Vance, M. A.
Strategics International Inc.
Miami, Florida Office: 305-378-1327
Venice, Florida Office: 941-483-9165
http://members.aol.com/facilitationfla

Want to build your own facilitation skills? 
Want to meet facilitators from around the world and in your own backyard? 
Mark your calendar for the International Assoc. of Facilitators Conference
2008
Atlanta, Georgia -- April 10-12, 2008 See www.iaf-world.org
<http://www.iaf-world.org/> 

  _____  

See what's new at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170>
and Make AOL Your Homepage
<http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169> .

  _____  

_______________________________________________

Dialogue mailing list

Dialogue at wedgeblade.net

http://wedgeblade.net/mailman/listinfo/dialogue_wedgeblade.net

  _____  

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition. 

Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.11/1071 - Release Date: 10/15/2007
6:48 AM

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://wedgeblade.net/pipermail/dialogue_wedgeblade.net/attachments/20071015/f87a68bb/attachment.html 