High Performance Leaders Confirm Consensus

How can you be sure that your team has reached consensus on an important decision?

Sometimes a team effort requires consensus -- a state of full support from every team member, whether or not they all agree that it is the best idea or plan. Once a deep and meaningful dialogue has taken place, the agreed upon plan is followed.

WIthout a genuine consensus the plan can fall through. If people do not take their commitment seriously (because they don't support the idea) the chances of success grown dim.

When consensus is necessary, high performance leaders take the time to confirm consensus before moving on.

They do it by:

- asking and then listening intently

- double-checking on any doubts

- confirming individuals, face to face and not just a group

- taking the time to let the idea sink in

- getting clarification from individuals on what consensus means

- getting commitment from people on what they will do to support the plan

- providing plenty of opportunity for dissension as the decision is being made

- working thru (and not glossing over) dissension until objections have been handled

What else can you do to guarantee consensus?

It takes longer, but when you need consensus make sure that you have it.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

http://frontrangeleadership.com

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