One of the key capabilities necessary for practicing Transformative Leadership is the capability to make group decisions using consultation. The following story illustrates how consultation leads to better, more just decisions.
Mark listened attentively as Janet expressed her idea. It was so different from how he had seen the situation, but made perfect sense, now that he thought about it. Once again his heart filled with joy, as he looked around at the members of the team. Each one came from a different department of the organization in which he worked. Not only did they have different professions, but they also came from different cultures and had diverse life experiences.
At first, the diversity made it difficult to reach decisions. Everyone thought so differently, and each person was sure that his idea was best! But after the training they received in consultation, the group’s dynamic had changed. Rather than coming to the meeting with fixed ideas, they were now committed to learning from one another and broadening the understanding that each had of the reality of the situation they were analyzing. They no longer reacted negatively to unusual ideas; rather, they were curious and asked questions to better understand how the other person perceived the situation. Once the group began to do this, their ability to reach consensus had skyrocketed!
Mark reflected on how he now appreciated the group’s diversity. He learned so much by listening to the other members! He felt that he was deeply experiencing the truth of the quote from that they had studied in the training:
“Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet, … this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty… In like manner, when diverse shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest.”
As he reflected, the last part of the quote caught his attention, and he realized that the central agency that helped them to integrate their ideas was their shared understanding of the vision and principles that guided the organization, especially their commitment to justice.
https://tinyurl.com/benefitsdiversity
The book The Benefits of Unity in Diversity: How to Use the Clash of Ideas to Make Better Decisions, which begins with the above story, explores what distinguishes consultation from other methods of group decision-making, emphasizing unity, justice, and striving to make decisions that contribute to the well-being of all.
It then presents certain guidelines and personal qualities that contribute to Availasuccessful consultation, as well as steps in successful decision-making, such as:
- Delimiting the topic to keep the consultation focused.
- Writing down the known facts and identifying further areas to investigate
- Identifying relevant principles
- Brainstorming several lines of action or possible solutions.
- Selecting a solution or a set of appropriate lines of action.
- Applying the solution or lines of action and evaluating the results
This book is helpful to anyone engaged in group decision-making, as a member of an organization, team, or family, including those who are already familiar with the practice of consultation.