Teamwork and Consensus

1. Teamwork and Consensus Leadership

2. Informal Roles of Group Members • Information Seeker • asks questions, looks for new ideas, willing to research, open to new ideas • Tension Reliever • encourages risk taking, uses humor, maintains a steady attitude, looks for consensus during arguments • Clarifier • connects ideas into wholes, orders and organizes discussion items, is an analytical and critical thinker • Initiator • good at assigning tasks, goal and performance oriented

3. Informal Roles of Group Members • Gatekeeper • knows the rules, watches the clock, needs to be convinced, challenges every idea • Harmonizer • the group cheerleader, minimizes conflict, looks out for the feelings of all group members • Follower • waits for the “experts” to tell them what to do, always supports the initiators of the group • Information Giver • very detailed oriented, never forgets information, comes to meetings with all notes from pervious meetings

4. How are Roles Determined? Roles are determined by personalities, qualities, and values • trust • sensitivity • belief in consensus • pride in organization • value of individual differences • promptness • organization • enthusiasm • critical thinking

5. What is a consensus? Consensus – a collective opinion or concord, general agreement or accord Rule by majority –Parliamentary Procedure Majority rule is the most effective if a consensus is reached

6. Misunderstandings About Consensus Doesn’t mean that everyone agrees with what is being done – it is simply a general agreement to carry on with something All team decisions should be made by consensus The final consensus decision reflects the first choice of each team member Consensus is fast and easy Consensus is a compromise

7. General Beliefs About Consensus Team members must be more concerned about community and less about power The team must be more focused on team productivity than on individual credit Consensus demands mature behavior on the part of everyone The leader holds themselves accountable for open, honest participation The team must be open to continuous learning

8. Ground Rules for Consensus Disagreement is acceptable as long as they explain why Expressed differences are welcome All members reactions should be heard and considered One should never change their mind to avoid conflict Evaluation should be suspended until all points of view have been presented and understood

9. Ground Rules for Consensus • Have a backup plan in the event a consensus cannot be reached: • No decision – idea is dropped • Third party decides • Leader decides • Designated committee decides • Luck decides • Split decision • Majority rules (or an agreed upon percentage)

10. Consensus Process The issue is clarified Discussion of the issue Reclarify any parts of the issue Each individual gives their stance The majority expresses their view The team problem-solves the minority’s view Again, each individual gives their stance

11. Negative Distractors The latecomer The early leaver The broken record The doubting Thomas The dropout The whisperer The know-it-all The loudmouth