From J
I'm here in Michigan, almost a day
into Step 2 training. We have been learning about consensus, and
have committed to using it as our principal mode of decision making
while deployed in the field. To ensure a thorough grounding for us,
training also asks us to commit to using consensus from here on out
for team decisions – so we'll be gaining experience rapidly!
Consensus is “a process
of decision making where everyone is heard and therefore everyone can
live with the decision”.
Consensus ensures that all those
involved have an opportunity to voice their opinions, and know
they've been heard. This provides more comprehensive input for the
group to incorporate into their decision making compared to when only
the loudest or most powerful individuals are heard. And in groups
with long experience and/or high levels of trust, often an individual
who disagrees on a particular issue can go along and support the
resulting decision anyway, confident that his concerns were heard and
considered.
My prior experience of consensus is
academic: I have a basic understanding of how it works, but haven't
used it with people and on issues that really matter.
I wonder about bowing to what I will
perceive as pressure to be a good sport and not rock the boat. What
about when I have a dissenting opinion but tell myself, 'this issue
is small and doesn't merit dissension, leave it alone', so I choose
to keep those thoughts and feelings private? How will I know when
that choice is practical and efficient, and when it's cowardice?
Maybe all I will really have managed to do is rob the team of the
richness that consensus provides, and the strength and trust it helps
build.
Surely there will also be times when I
am quite clear that voicing my perspective is important, and
consensus is necessary for the good of the team. At those times,
will I actually participate as I hope to, with strength and
sensitivity? Will I be able to integrate this training, and add any
value with this process?
Right now it appears a frightening
balancing act, with significant risks.
I will regularly remind myself
(probably many times a day, at first) that the important thing isn't
how many times I fall down, just that I keep getting up again.
Wish me luck!
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