Why and How to Build Consensus

A Consensus is a generally accepted agreement or opinion. It does not require unanimity; however, should represent extensive, if not comprehensive support.

Why?

~ There can be extraordinary energy in a group of impassioned people working on a common goal.
~ Consensus building resolves conflict, creates, and builds workable solutions.
~ Conflict requires an enormous amount of energy that might be better used towards a common good. It also undermines progress towards the goal. When the conflict is thoroughly processed, it can create a better, more lasting and viable, solution.

How?

~ A lifetime of good can be accomplished in areas where you agree. You will find that over time, as you accomplish positive goals that you agree on, you will find more and more areas where there is agreement and genuine mutual cooperation. It is often easier to find agreement in "what" than in "how." We may agree that what we want is healthy and happy children, but disagree in how this can happen. Find areas where you do agree.
~ Even a group of very diverse people can find commonality and work on common goals, with effort, patience, and the right skills. Develop relationships. Listen more than you speak. Look for areas of agreement. Support and reinforce positive movement and achievement, even it isn't exactly what you are impassioned about.
~ Leave egos at the door.
~ Try to understand your own worries, fears, assets, motivations, and strengths first, and the worries, fears, assets, motivations, and strengths of everyone else in the coalition and those who may be affected by the coalition or whose interests may be aroused by your work together. Never assume that you completely understand yourself, and absolutely never assume that you completely understand anyone else. Be open and slow to judge people. (Discern behavior.) Most of us have common and basic fears, insecurities, concerns, needs, and desires. What is different is how we respond and search for solutions. Build on the commonalities, acknowledge, and in most cases, appreciate the differences.
~ Understand that you may not know everything about the issue. Even when your perspective is absolutely correct, not listening to......really listening to, other perspectives, is almost always a mistake. Listen more than you talk.
~ Develop relationships with other members of the collaboration.
~ Set goals and move forward.