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