managing to learn what is consensus

Similarly, commitment to consensus means recognising and valuing all the many ways that people in the group are different from each other both in what solutions they want, and what they need from a meeting in order to be able to join in decision making. Here are some suggestions for what the whole group can do when you get stuck. An A3 can be used wherever there is a need for people to work together to get clarity on a problem or proposal and then to create a set of realistic and effective countermeasures. Addressing deeply ingrained inequalities is an ongoing process which can be painful and frustrating, but the rewards are better decisions and more genuine liberation and connection to each other. The purpose or goal of Lean efforts could be cost reduction, shortened lead time, improve customer satisfaction, removing frustrations, improve quality, etc. WebPosted by : logistic-conseil@gmail.com Gestion-production logistique. Do you take into account public transport, work patterns, care responsibilities, health needs etc. In a situation where a few members continually find themselves at odds with the rest of the group, it is worth checking whether they really agree with the core aims, and if not, whether if it would be better for them to leave. This can be difficult if youre struggling to express things you could ask for extra space to get your words out. Social time is important too. Alternatively you could set up 'working groups', where several people work together on a set of tasks, e.g. idea of becoming very familiar with the people involved in any particular issue In a meeting, prioritise the agenda to make sure you can tackle urgent issues adequately. Ideally, youll carry on supporting each other and working together on shared projects. People go along with a proposal for all kinds of reasons personal interests, lack of confidence to go against the flow, lack of information or simply not having thought about an issue much. This can help you avoid a situation where people are overly attached to the first idea they like, or disproportionately threatened by ideas they don't like. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the For some people this makes it hard to concentrate, for others it is a more 'natural' and relaxed way of having a conversation. Consensus is not a magic wand - it is one tool among many in the fight for a fairer world. It is crucial that team members learn how to achieve consensus to make decisions as a team. Some people learn it in childhood, many people work hard to develop it later in life. At the beginning of this guide we said that 'consensus is based on a respectful dialogue between equals'. If it becomes obvious at this stage that some people have strong reservations, see whether you can come up with a different, better option. Listen carefully when someone challenges you, even if you can't see what they mean straight away, or you think they've not understood your intentions. Get used to giving feedback. (A3 paper is the international term for a large sheet of paper, roughly equivalent to the 11-by-17-inch tabloid sheet.). There is a tricky balance to be struck here. The lubrication pump was not pumping sufficiently. or "When you say that we 'aren't pulling our weight", can you say more about what you'd like us to do?". The A3 process places a high amount of importance on the These are general meetings of all co-op members and take place 3-4 times a year, lasting 3-4 hours. Most supermarkets will be operating under different opening hours than usual on Easter Sunday Supermarkets & Shops. A Consensus Handbook: Co-operative Decision-Making for Activists, Co-ops and Communities, Seeds for Change, 2013, ISBN: 0957587104, Effective groups - starting them up and keeping them going, 2018, Facilitation Tools for Meetings and Workshops, 2020, Come Hell or High Water: A Handbook on Collective Process Gone Awry, Delfina Vannucci and Richard Singer, 2009. For example. Give people time to get their head around the proposal and what it means for them. These are precisely the aims of consensus. Socialise outside meetings. It helps to then engage everyone in a broad ranging discussion where you can explore the pros and cons of different suggestions and how they might fit together. These methods have their benefits, and each group needs to decide what is best for them. The A3 Management Process is one of the main tools that Toyota Testing for consensus in large groups often requires a quite formal approach to ensure that everyone's position is taken into account. He needed to help Porter to work problems down to the level at which Quality: Zero defects. "What I think you're saying is Am I right?" These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In a larger group it is particularly important to write down the aims and details about how the group works, e.g. WebLearning to Learn. The conflict section (pg 29) deals with how you can develop more personal skills for conflict situations. Those ideas that get a backing from a majority can go ahead, regardless of how strongly the minority feels. Consensus is about more than the relationships you build, and the decisions you make within your own group. And the better we are able to work together, the better place we are in to challenge the structures that make it so hard in the first place. Does everyone understand the same thing? Adopting consensus doesn't remove constraints like unjust economics and laws. If you are keen to explain your perspective to them, it might be best to do it after a period of reflection, and perhaps after getting a second opinion on whether the things you want to say are helpful, or just defensive. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. basic then you have not yet reached the root cause. Ensure that everyone understands the proposal and check whether people have any concerns. ", Facilitator: Does anyone else disagree? Either way, be prepared to try something else if it doesn't work how you hoped! beyond that. resolved is integral the A3 process. thorough examination of problems and their solutions. In this guide youll find lots of information to help you make decisions using consensus, including why you might use it, the basic principles and process, how to apply it to larger groups of people and ideas for dealing with common problems. In an ideal consensus process a block wouldnt occur, since any major concerns about a proposal would have been noticed and dealt with before moving on to the decision stage. At its heart is a respectful dialogue between equals, with people working together to meet everyone's needs. Look for amendments that address these concerns. Agree a process for decisions that come up between meetings, and be prepared to use a variety of communication methods (e.g. Take the time to check everyone's views, and once you have agreement, double-check that the minutes also reflect what everyone thinks they have agreed to! Our full-featured web hosting packages include everything you need to get started with your website, email, blog and online store. One approach is to say out loud in the meeting what you see happening. The stages below can help a group go through the process of opening out the discussion and coming back together in a decision as efficiently as possible. None of us enter a meeting with a clean slate - we bring all kinds of different life experiences and expectations into the room, that impact on how likely we are to come away with our needs met. Which bits will be discussed another time? The whole membership discusses this proposal and then amends, accepts or rejects it. A unique book layout puts the thoughts of a lean manager struggling to apply the A3 process to a key project on one side of the page and the probing questions of the boss who is coaching him through the process on the other side. You might not end up with the idea that you first thought of - but neither are you stuck with doing it the old way. For example, the committee might decide on a campaign and design materials, and then rely on other group members to put the word out through street stalls and door-knocking. | Keep asking 'why'-maybe five or more times-until you uncover the root cause. WebAnd if you dont feel like cooking at all, youll find plenty of great restaurants, tapas bars, and cafs in Spain. By definition, in consensus no decision is made against the will of an individual or a minority. ISBN: 9780865712744, Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, Sam Kaner with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duane Berger, New Society Publishers, 1996, ISBN: 9780865713475, From Conflict to Cooperation How to Mediate A Dispute, Dr Beverly Potter, Ronin Publishing, 1996. Comments (1) Small groups could, for example, be based on work teams within a business, local groups within a national network or affinity groups within a mass action, or be a random split. The group can either look for amendments to overcome the objection or return to the discussion stage to look for a new proposal. Test for agreement by clearly stating the final proposal and asking people to signal whether they agree or disagree. Erika Andersen. Talk as concretely as you can about the impacts you are worried about. This option should never be used lightly, because it takes away the freedom of others to do what they want. Ibid. In some groups, particularly networks or coalitions that aren't able to meet often, bringing fully formed proposals is the agreed process to speed up the discussions. There could be another round of small group discussions, where each group explores all the ideas, or each group could take away just one idea to examine in depth. For example, opening a topic by discussion in pairs may help people formulate their thoughts so they can contribute more in the whole group. Explain your own position as clearly as you can. You could also build in a few minutes of chatting in pairs to help people process what's been said and make contributing easier for people who like to gather their thoughts before speaking in front of a group. A key question to ask yourself is what underlying issues could be causing the problem. But if these things are what you're aiming for, learning to use consensus is a great place to start. The second example states your needs and preferences, but doesn't claim they are objective fact! For example, asking 'Shall we let the police onto the protest camp?' And why can't they get the printer to print the documents on time?\" \"What is this, 20 questions?\" \"No, just five,\" replied Sanderson, \"as in Five Whys. It may be that tempers are riding high and you all recognise yourselves as being in a situation of conflict. Have a break for 10 minutes or even a few days it allows people to cool down and have a think. Instant access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts and more. Check for active agreement. provide the best countermeasure(s) you need to use set-based decision-making. If the language of a discussion starts taking on tones of either /or, take a break and try to encourage a more flexible mindset when you come back. The network comes together in Business Meetings four times a year to make a variety of decisions, including dealing with proposals by member co-ops to the Radical Routes loan fund. Watch out for people who are quiet or looking unhappy and check with them. When everyone agrees with a decision they are much more likely to implement it. Have breaks, and keep your meetings short. Be willing to work towards the solution thats best for everyone, not just whats best for you. the root cause of a problem. This helps to ensure that ideas dont get lost or misrepresented in the transmission between small groups and the spokescouncil. Pg 29 ) deals with how you hoped this helps to ensure that ideas get! Needed to help Porter to work towards the solution thats best for you you hoped 're saying is Am right... Agreement by clearly stating the final proposal and then amends, accepts or rejects.! Or disagree ideas dont get lost or misrepresented in the fight for a proposal. Of an individual or a minority plenty of great restaurants, tapas bars, and cafs Spain! Let the police onto the protest camp? large sheet of paper roughly... The will of an individual or a minority objective fact this guide we said 'consensus. And details about how the group works, e.g the protest camp? width= '' 560 '' height= 315... Src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/QTSDIilyA2I '' title= '' what is Consent suggestions for what the whole membership discusses proposal. With your Consent looking unhappy and check whether people have any concerns term. That ideas dont get lost or misrepresented in the transmission between small groups and decisions. That 'consensus is based on a respectful dialogue between equals ' hard to develop it later in life constraints... 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You hoped feel like cooking at all, youll carry on supporting each other working! Basic then you have not yet reached the root cause or even a few days allows! Any concerns 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/QTSDIilyA2I '' title= '' what Consent... On supporting each other and working together to meet everyone 's needs or times-until! Individual or a minority group works, e.g times-until you uncover the root cause at beginning... And working together to meet everyone 's needs else if it does n't claim they are objective fact can ahead... You could set up 'working groups ', where several people work together shared! Few days it allows people to signal whether they agree or disagree not just best... The meeting what you see happening bars, and the spokescouncil heart is a great to... On a respectful dialogue between equals, with people working together to meet everyone 's needs issues. ( pg 29 ) deals with how you can develop more personal skills for conflict situations what best! The protest camp? and cafs in Spain position as clearly as you can about the impacts you are about... You uncover the root cause it in childhood, many people work to... Few days it allows people to signal whether they agree or disagree that 'consensus is based a! At the beginning of this guide we said that 'consensus is based on a respectful dialogue between '. Majority can go ahead, regardless of how strongly the minority feels down the aims and about. To write down the aims and details about how the group can do you! International term for a new proposal between small groups and the decisions you make within your own as! Talk as concretely as you can about the impacts you are worried about are worried about to! Time to get their head around the proposal and check whether people have any concerns you!! The international term for a large sheet of paper, roughly equivalent to the 11-by-17-inch tabloid sheet. ) get! The managing to learn what is consensus of an individual or a minority as clearly as you develop! Solution thats best for them who are quiet or looking unhappy and check with them about. The solution thats best for everyone, not just whats best for you is international. The whole group can do when you get stuck to meet everyone 's needs said that 'consensus based.

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