This comes as a surprise to those of you who are accustomed to voting and then, if more people are for the proposal than against, declaring “consensus.”

If the vote is very close, say 51% to 49%, the only conclusion that one can reach is that almost as many were against the proposal as for it. This situation is a sign of deep polarization, not widespread agreement.

Even if the margin of “victory” is higher, say 80% of the votes cast, the result tells us nothing about how committed those who voted in favor are to implementing the decision.

Finally, reaching consensus does not necessarily mean 100% unanimity. This decision-making rule offers a more nuanced set of options than simply being “for” or “against” a proposal.

More importantly, before the decision is taken, the process calls for participants to both advocate for their preferred solutions and listen attentively to the concerns of those who have different perspectives and then make a good faith effort to resolve those differences.

If you find these ideas intriguing or challenging, you can learn more in my recently published book, Introduction to Consensus.

Let´s keep striving to find ways to make decisions that move us toward the world we want to live in.

Need help clarifying the difference between making decisions by consensus and voting? Contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your coaching or training needs.