I've been thinking about a post that I read on Tony Morgan's site and thought I'd share it here. Here's what Tony had to say about consensus...
I’m growing more and more convinced that the worst thing an organization can do is try to reach a consensus about something. Think government. Think church committee meetings. Think declining big business.
On the surface, reaching a consensus seems like a positive thing because it means people have agreed to move in the same direction. That’s a good thing isn’t it?
Actually, I’m not convinced that’s the case. For example, here are:
5 Reasons Why Consensus Sucks
- It embraces the status quo. Change, whether positive or not, is not human nature. We would prefer for things to remain the way they are today. So, when people get together to discuss the possibility of doing something a little different in the future, it’s normal for the majority to avoid making changes.
- It gives the malcontents an equal voice in your decision. Reaching consensus gives everyone a voice at the table. When that happens, even the negative, bitter folks that don’t really embrace the vision have the opportunity to pull the rest of the group away from what could really be the most desirable outcome.
- It short circuits the radical ideas that lead to the biggest breakthroughs. The big, bold ideas won’t see the light of day. Yet those are the ideas that could potentially lead to the best innovations. Consensus brings people back to the middle where the majority approves but mediocrity reigns.
- It leaves unresolved conflict on the table. At the opposite ends of a decision are distinct opinions which, if left unresolved, could potentially lead to division. Consensus prevents tough conversations from happening. It gives people the freedom to jump to compromise without engaging a healthy debate.
- It discourages people from dreaming big dreams. Want to neuter the creative-thinkers and entrepreneurs and visionaries in your organization? Force them to reach consensus with the rest of the crowd. These are the people that make you uncomfortable. They can drive you crazy. That’s OK. They’ll just go work someplace else if you keep forcing them to compromise their dreams.
The silence is deafening on this post.
ReplyDeleteMr. Morgan has valid points and I agree with him. Nothing wrong with thinking outside the box.
As Whitney George posted on Mr. Morgan's site:
If Christ sought consensus from his key leaders he never would have gone to the cross. Just ask Peter.
I particularly enjoyed point #2 "It gives the malcontents an equal voice in your decision".
ReplyDeleteI've met my share of chronic malcontents in my short life. Somehow they find a way to the system that allows their chronic malcontent voice to be heard the loudest.
Malcontents make a good offense play defense.
ReplyDeleteYou guys think your cool just because you know big words. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere is this company that I have been trusting a lot of my money with lately. Today we had a meeting with one of their "guys", or as I call them "goons". He spewed off some speach and mentioned that this company has come to a consensus.
ReplyDeleteHere is what I heard. "Blah blah blah, and we came to a consensus blah blah blah.... trust us. your patience will pay off."
I spoke up in the crowd when it was time for questions and I said I want out. Today! It got quiet fast. Hope I made the right decision. After all I've lost plenty of money with them so far.