Posts
What is consensus decision-making?
The best little handbook helping us learn consensus decision-making is Consensus through conversation: How to achieve high-commitment decisions by Larry Dressler (2006). He defines consensus as, "Consensus is a coöperative process in which all group members develop and agree to support a decision that is in the best interest of the whole" (p. 4).
Consensus decision-making is not perfect for all decisions. It takes time and time priorities for low-impact decisions often preclude a laborious consensus process. But when stakes are high, consensus can be well worth the investment of time taken to arrive at the wisest course of action.
As an example, as a result of the outbreak of covid-19 the European Union health experts undertook a complex and time-consuming consensus process to develop an on-the-shelf plan for public health emergencies preparedness, response, and recovery (PHEPR). Public health experts from across the EU eventually reached consensus on developing checklists for the EU to be ready for a wide range of possible public health emergencies (Kagma, et al., 2025). High stakes deserve the time and the gathered expertise that true consensus can, and should, deliver.
What to have for dinner shouldn't take more than a bit of conversation unless it's a high stakes event. The host can make a command-and-control decision without a great deal of risk. Knowing the difference can tailor the process appropriately.
References
Dressler, Larry (2006). Consensus through conversation: How to achieve high-commitment decisions. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler.
Kamga, L. S. K., Voordouw, A. C. G., De Vries, M. C., Koopmans, M. P. G., & Timen, A. (2025). Which sectors should be involved in public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery decision-making? A RAND-modified consensus procedure among European Union country experts. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 1–11. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.pdx.edu/10.1186/s12889-025-23557-8
No comments:
Post a Comment