Guidance The objective is to reach stable decisions: Which, in general, means supported by a consensus of members of the Forum/Consortium/Work Group It also means not strongly opposed by a sufficient subset of the members to cause decisions to be revisited Do not interpret silence as agreement, and do not permit others to do so either The Consensus Decision-Making process not only seeks the agreement of most participants, but also resolves or mitigates the objections of the minority in order to achieve the most agreeable decision. “Consensus” is usually defined as meaning both general agreement, and the process of reaching such agreement. The Consensus Decision-Making process is thus concerned primarily with that process. What is Consensus Decision-Making? Inclusive – as many stakeholders as possible should be involved in the consensus decision-making process Participatory – the consensus process should actively solicit the input and participation of all decision-makers Cooperative – participants in an effective consensus process should strive to reach the best possible decision for the group and all of its members, rather than opt to pursue a majority opinion, potentially to the detriment of a minority Egalitarian – all members of a consensus decision-making body should be afforded, as much as possible, equal input into the process Solution-oriented – an effective consensus decision-making body strives to emphasize common agreement over differences and reach effective decisions using compromise and other techniques to avoid or resolve mutually-exclusive positions within the Forum/Work Group Benefits of Consensus Decision-Making Consensus decision-making is a collaborative process that emphasizes mutual agreement and inclusivity. Here are some of the key benefits: Encourages collaboration Inclusive and democratic Commitment to decisions Encourages creative problem solving Shared accountability Promotes empathy and understanding Promotes active listening Reasons to Avoid Voting A key driver for Consensus Decision-Making is the avoidance of voting. Voting is competitive, rather than cooperative, framing decision-making in a win/lose dichotomy that ignores the possibility of other potential outcomes. A majority decision reduces the commitment of the overall group to the decision. As a result, members of a minority position may then have a sense of reduced responsibility for the ultimate decision. Common Misconceptions Some common misconceptions regarding Consensus Decision-Making are as follows: Consensus is the same as compromise Although compromise may be a tool within the process, consensus focuses on finding solutions or ways forward that address the needs of all the participants, not simply meeting halfway. Consensus is inefficient While it can initially take longer to reach consensus, it often saves time in the long run by reducing conflict, ensuring that decisions are widely supported and saving the time and need to revisit those decisions. Silence equals agreement Avoid the mistake of assuming it is, and ensure others do not make this assumption either. Active participation is required in Consensus Decision-Making. Consensus ignores minority opinions Consensus actively seeks to address and incorporate minority concerns rather than overriding them with majority rule. Consensus means everyone gets what they want Consensus does not mean every individual’s preference is fully met, but it ensures decisions are acceptable to the group as a whole. Consensus eliminates conflict Conflict can still be present but is managed constructively through dialogue and collaboration to reach shared agreements. CDM has no structure Effective consensus requires a clear process and facilitation to guide discussions and resolve differences. Consensus equals unanimity True consensus allows for some disagreement as long as all members can support the decision or live with it. Introduction The Consensus Decision-Making Process