Consensus to Collaboration Keith Ferrazzi

Continuing from The New We: Why Don't We Have Better Meetings and Step One: Better Meeting Prep, we move to Step Two: Shift from Consensus to Collaboration.

The goal of collaboration isn't necessarily to reach consensus. At its worst, consensus is defined as “everyone agreeing with the final decision” with no accountable party, confusion about what was being asked, and watered-down results that lack true team acceptance. The goals of a great collaboration should be inclusion of everyone’s viewpoint; a powerful, well-challenged conclusion; and mutual commitment not to let each other fail.
Here are three rules to help you get there.
Rule 1. Establish fairness and accountability.
Collaboration participants who consider a decision-making process fair are more likely to accept its outcome without resentment, even if they disagree.

Rule 2. Offer transparent updates.Tell the group quickly which of their ideas will be investigated, which will be pursued, which will be tabled or rejected, and why.

Rule 3. Nail the follow up. When a meeting is over, closure is critical. Be sure to communicate the results and a resolution process and continue the dialogue if necessary.

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