When establishing yourself as an effective and respected leader, it’s critical to prove to your team that you value their viewpoints - that is, after all, why you hired them in the first place. Consensus isn’t just about avoiding disagreement, it’s about listening to different perspectives, collaborating, and finding common ground. A workplace which fosters consensus building leads to increased productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and better results. So, how do we get there? How can we cultivate consensus in a professional environment?
First, you need to understand who your stakeholders are and consider the weight that their buy-in holds. Their opinions will be varied, depending on their background, education, and life experiences - and that’s a good thing. Embracing this diversity of thought fosters creativity and innovation while preventing groupthink.
An effective brainstorm among team members can encourage everyone to think creatively, and also to start building alignment. Natasha Case, founder of Coolhaus, believes it’s important to reflect individually and provide “homework” for the team prior to a brainstorm session. This offers an opportunity to adjust mindset, prepare questions, and be more confident coming into the session. Open it up and promote cross-departmental collaboration. This not only enhances communication but also ensures that decisions are made with a holistic understanding of the organization’s needs and objectives.
Effective consensus-building hinges on transparent and open communication channels. Keep everyone informed about the decision-making process, including the rationale behind decisions and any potential implications. Do so with transparency, to foster trust within your team. Not only does your communication need to be clear and succinct, but you should also encourage giving feedback, and offer a space to do so free of judgment.
Leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of consensus within an organization. Lead by example by actively listening to your team, soliciting feedback, and demonstrating a willingness to compromise when necessary. Your actions set the tone for how collaboration and consensus-building are valued within the organization.
In the world of business, consensus-building is not just a strategy, it's a reflection of our values as leaders. By embracing diversity of thought, fostering true collaboration, and providing crystal-clear communication, you’ll prove to the team that your organization believes in respect and achieving goals together. Giving your team the opportunity to contribute to their own satisfaction and productivity is reward enough to put the effort into cultivating - and maintaining - consensus in the workplace.
