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Consensus Decision Making - Definition, Benefits & Examples

Consensus decision making is a process where a group reaches agreement on an issue by addressing everyone's opinions and perspectives. It aims for collaboration and inclusion where no one is a clear winner or loser. Key aspects are that everyone involved must agree with and support the final decision. Businesses use this approach to allow employee input on strategic and operational decisions. Common consensus models include spokescouncil, modified voting, and Quaker-based approaches. The goal is a unanimous decision through discussion and addressing all objections.

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36 views

Consensus Decision Making - Definition, Benefits & Examples

Consensus decision making is a process where a group reaches agreement on an issue by addressing everyone's opinions and perspectives. It aims for collaboration and inclusion where no one is a clear winner or loser. Key aspects are that everyone involved must agree with and support the final decision. Businesses use this approach to allow employee input on strategic and operational decisions. Common consensus models include spokescouncil, modified voting, and Quaker-based approaches. The goal is a unanimous decision through discussion and addressing all objections.

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Sujith 28
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Business Courses / Course / Chapter

Consensus Decision Making | Definition, Benefits &


Examples
Instructor: Vinay Kumar Singh
Learn about consensus decision making and understand how it is used in business. Explore objectives for
consensus decision making and practices to build consensus. Updated: 12/17/2023
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Table of Contents

What is Consensus?
What is Consensus Decision Making?
Components of Consensus Decision Making
Practices for Building a Consensus
Lesson Summary

Show

What is Consensus?

A consensus is a general agreement that is settled upon by all parties involved. It is a word that is most likely
heard when discussing groups who may have differing views on a particular subject and an agreement of sorts
must be made for the benefit of everyone. In business, a consensus decision process may be used to help
determine company direction or other important decisions that would impact the entirety of the company. In a
cooperative style of ownership, consensus decision making is important as there are many stakeholders involved
in making business decisions. A group reaches a consensus by considering all viewpoints on an issue or a
decision and then deciding what the common points are that everyone agrees upon. Where the commonalities
stop is where compromises and considerations are made to arrive at a final decision. Consensus is reached when
a group arrives at a mutually agreeable conclusion.

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Lesson
Course

What is Consensus Decision Making?


Consensus decision making is a process of group decision where the end result is agreement by everyone. Many
decisions are made in a parliamentarian way where there is one side of an issue that "wins" their decision and
another "loses". This type of decision-making is arrived at via discussion and voting where the adopted decision is
the one with the majority vote. In consensus decision making there is no winner or loser. Rather every opinion and
idea is taken into consideration when discussing an issue and how a decision should be made. The end result of a
consensus is a decision that has considered everyone's opinions and perspectives which are evident in the final
product.

One example of consensus decision making is a group of friends deciding on where to go for dinner. Everyone has
a common goal of deciding where to eat so discussion and consideration of all options and preferences will allow
for a final destination to be declared.

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Components of Consensus Decision Making

There are a few elements of consensus decision making that are followed every time the process is used to arrive
at a decision. The first is that everyone involved in the decision are in agreement with the core decision that is
made and willing to see it through. Second is that there will be no obstruction to the decision or the next steps.
Finally, the last part is support for the decision and its execution by everyone involved.

Businesses use consensus decision making because it allows for employees in a department, or the whole
organization, to have their input on decisions that are made for the company. Goals may be set by leaders, but how
they are carried out is a matter of the groups that are tasked with their accomplishment. Decisions at that level
require input from everyone in that area and the level of collaboration needed can yield creative results.

Objectives for Consensus Decision Making

Consensus decision making has a few objectives that help to facilitate a desired outcome. These objectives are
designed to allow everyone who is involved in the decision-making process to have their voice heard and
considered. These objectives include:

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Practices for Building a Consensus

Building consensus can be achieved through a few methods in order to gather as many stakeholders as possible.
There are a few models that can be employed that allow for maximum representation while also allowing for
efficient decision-making. The following models are ones that are used in the consensus process.

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Lesson Summary

Consensus is the act of having a group of people come to a mutual agreement. Consensus decision making is this
process applied to business issues in order to help advance strategic direction as well as other issues that should
involve multiple parties in agreement. Unlike a majority rule style of voting, consensus requires everyone to accept
a decision to some degree. This process is achieved by giving everyone invested in the decision the ability to
speak and have an equal footing.

The objectives for consensus decision making include collaboration, cooperation, egalitarianism, inclusion, and
participation. Different models for reaching consensus include spokescouncil which is a collection of
representatives speaking for their groups' interests, a ranked vote known as a modified Borda count, as well as
Quaker-based. Blocking is a procedural form of consensus that is used to reach a unanimous decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of consensus strategy?

Blocking is a consensus strategy that follows a procedural path. Rounds of discussion are considered and all
objections will reset the process until a unanimous decision is made.

Why is consensus decision making important?

Consensus decision making is important because it helps to involve all invested parties in a decision process. It is
crucial for strategic decision-making.

What are the strategies for consensus decision making?

Having everyone invested in the decision process by hearing all opinions is part of the strategy. Having
involvement, input, and a sense of egalitarianism will allow people to come to a consensus.

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