Recently I had the opportunity to design a decision making method for a group that I am working with.
I have really enjoyed the process and look forward to practicing it and inviting a level of coherence which draws on the wisdom of the whole to more groups and organizations.
The process itself has the working title, Heart Centric Consensus, and it is based largely on the standard consensus model, and in fact I took inspiration for the flow chart that I created from one that I found in the wikimedia library.
The flow of the process is anchored on a few key points which distinguish it from the standard model.
* Attunement to the context of the proposal is essential
* Proposals require a clear champion to carry them all the way through the process
* Modifications to a proposal create an iterative spiral which continues until full support is reached
* Utilizing circle technologies for valuing the wisdom of all parts within the whole
Within the techniques identified as “circle technologies” are the small group work of Heart Circles, as well as other communication techniques like the Zegg Forum, which helps to bring up and celebrate the personal intentions and motivations behind our choices thus distinguishing them information and factual based discussions; and fishbowl discussions which provide the advantage of small scale discussion within the presence of an entire larger group while also keeping a circulation of the oppurtunity to speak.
The role of assisting with the wisdom of the whole being heard in decision processes is a passion of mine so feel free to contact me and stay tuned for the evolution of this service and facilitation art.
ay