14 Module 7 – Converging on an Idea
When working in a team, it is important to understand that every individual comes to the team with their own lived experiences and opinions. From one perspective these differences make it challenging to come up with a census, but these differences also allow for the team to gain a much more rounded understanding of the topic. Luckily, there exist many strategies of coming to a consensus within a team and we will uncover some in this module.
Through conversation you will develop three main communication skills:
- Active Listening: When we actively listen we suspend our own thought processes and give the speaker our full attention. We make a deliberate effort to understand someone’s position and their needs, concerns and emotions.
- Summarizing: A succinct and accurate summary of what’s been said so far can really help a group move towards a decision. Outline the emerging common ground as well as the unresolved differences: “It seems like we’ve almost reached agreement on that bit of the proposal, but we need to explore this part further to address everyone’s concerns.” Check with everyone that you’ve got it right.
- Synthesis: Find the common ground and any connections between seemingly competing ideas and weave them together to form proposals. Focus on solutions that address the fundamental needs and key concerns that people within the group have.
Now its your turn! In your groups take your newfound insights and form an agreement on an idea to move forward with it. By the end of this time, you should have identified a feasible solution that you will further explore when solving your Problem Statement.
References
Seeds for Change. (n.d) Short Guide to Consensus Decision Making. https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/shortconsensus