Teamwork and Consensus

Leadership

1. Information Seeker asks questions, looks for new ideas, willing to

research, open to new ideas

2. Tension Reliever encourages risk taking, uses humor, maintains a

steady attitude, looks for consensus during arguments

3. Clarifier connects ideas into wholes, orders and organizes

discussion items, is an analytical and critical thinker

4. Initiator good at assigning tasks, goal and performance

oriented

Informal Roles of Group Members

1. Gatekeeper knows the rules, watches the clock, needs to be

convinced, challenges every idea

2. Harmonizer the group cheerleader, minimizes conflict, looks out for

the feelings of all group members

3. Follower waits for the “experts” to tell them what to do, always

supports the initiators of the group

4. Information Giver very detailed oriented, never forgets information,

comes to meetings with all notes from pervious meetings

Informal Roles of Group Members

How are Roles Determined?

trust sensitivity belief in

consensus pride in

organization

value of individual differences

promptness organization enthusiasm critical thinking

Roles are determined by personalities, qualities, and values

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

What is a 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

Misunderstandings 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

General Beliefs About 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

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)

Ground Rules for Consensus

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

Consensus Process

The latecomer The early leaver The broken record The doubting Thomas The dropout The whisperer The know-it-all The loudmouth

Negative Distractors