How Great Decisions Get Made: 10 Steps for Reaching Agreement

Step 1: Enlist everyone. The most valuable contribution can come from the most unexpected source. Involve the entire team. Go beyond consulting the ‘key players’ and you will find the sum is greater than the parts. Each person is needed to get results.

Step 2: Discover shared hopes. Before you jump to specific solutions, inquire what each person hopes will result from the efforts and why it is important to them. By clarifying objectives, clearing up misconceptions and communicating a common goal, everyone focuses on the same agenda.

Step 3: Uncover the real issues. When a matter of concern has festered for a long time, it’s usually a sign that another issue underlies it. Before you can offer a solution, understand the problem. Take a few moments for each person to express his or her thoughts and concerns about the topic to accomplish this.

Step 4: Identify all options. Brainstorm to get many options on the table for possible consideration. Have everyone offer a viable option and not repeat anything said previously. No one should agree or disagree with anyone—just offer ideas, not judgments.

Step 5: Gather the right information. Efficiently focus attention on what is important and clearly define the information needed. Organize your efforts by the bottom-line objective that you seek to accomplish.

Step 6: Get everything on the table. Have everyone offer a pro and con to practicable options that were previously suggested. Do not debate with one another.

Step 7: Write down choices that support hopes. Find out what each person candidly thinks about each choice offered. Each person should list what deems the best option to fulfill their shared hopes, while noting acceptable alternatives. This straw ballot gives a quick, honest look at possible solutions.

Step 8: Map solutions. Tabulate the results on a flip chart to see where all of the options land. Look at possible ways to improve upon the most appealing alternatives and find a solution that everyone will support.

Step 9: Look ahead. Before you rush to implement a solution, identify a back-up plan and schedule early opportunities to examine how the solution performs and compares with acceptable alternatives.

Step 10: Stay charged up! Bring everyone together and hear from people about how the results support the hopes they share. It is time to celebrate what you have accomplished and encourage people to continue to work together effectively, with newfound direction and momentum.

Source: amanet.org