Since there is only the matter of counting votes, decisions can be reached much more quickly with majority rule. Due to the time that may be required to reach a consensus, this method can be an inefficient means to addressing time-sensitive issues.

Consensus decision-making is a process that builds trust and creates ownership and commitment. Consensus decisions can lead to better quality outcomes that empower the group or community to move forward to create their future together.

A consensus based decision-making process is an effort in which affected parties (stakeholders) seek to reach agreement on a course of action to address an issue or set of related issues. In a consensus process, the stakeholders work together to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Which of the following is an advantage of the consensus decision-making process? Participation from all group members during group discussions should always be encouraged. As groups grow larger, consensus becomes easier to attain because you have more voices to support it.

Consensus building is important in today’s interconnected society because many problems exist that affect diverse groups of people with different interests. The consensus-building process helps them to establish a common understanding and framework for developing a solution that works for everyone.

Commitment to Reach Consensus: Each individual needs to share their opinion, listen, and remain open to new ideas or directions. Whilst value is placed on individual ideas, the overall success of the group is more important. Active Listening: Listen to the opinions of others carefully and without interruption.

Building Consensus

1. pooling opinions;
2. listening effectively;
3. discussing ideas and differences;
4. not getting all you want; and.
5. coming to an agreement that everyone “can live with.”

Top tips for participating in consensus decisions Be willing to work towards the solution that’s best for everyone, not just what’s best for you. Be flexible and willing to give up your favourite idea if there’s another solution that meets your core needs. Help to create a respectful and trusting atmosphere.

Consensus is not synonymous with “unanimity”– though that may be a rule agreed to in a decision making process. The level of agreement necessary to finalize a decision is known as a “decision rule”.

When the “silence implies agreement” rule is invoked, people simply reserve the right to object later. They don’t commit to the decision right then and there. Instead, they agree that they don’t object RIGHT NOW.

In our four-day course, The Effective Facilitator, we teach five techniques for building consensus:

1. Delineating Alternatives.
2. Discussing Strengths and Weaknesses.
3. Merging Alternatives.
4. Building Criteria Lists and Scoring Alternatives.
5. Converging Upon an Alternative.

When someone makes you an offer and you do not respond to it, you normally will not be bound to a contract. Your silence is generally not considered an acceptance if you do not truly intend to accept.

SILENCE. The state of a person who does not speak, or of one who refrains from speaking. Pure and simple silence cannot be considered as a consent to a contract, except in cases when the silent person is bound in good faith to explain himself, in which case, silence gives consent.

Plato

To silence someone is to hush him up or tell him to be quiet. Silence also has a more disturbing meaning: if someone threatens you to keep you from saying something, she’s trying to silence you. Censorship silences free speech.