Clues to Achieving Consensus: A Leader's Guide to Navigating Collaborative Problem Solving

by Mirja P. Hanson

Overview

Here is a step-by-step guide to effective action in school districts, agencies, companies, organizations, and communities by using consensus decision-making. This book is based on the advice of experienced public and private leaders and participants who have used consensus approaches to solve problems in past decades. Mirja P. Hanson gives readers an overview of how consensus actually happens as opposed to how it should happen. She details the major pitfalls and critical success factors of consensus decision-making and describes real-life scenarios.

Features:
·Overviews of the consensus basics including definitions, trends, and comparisons to other forms of decision-making
·Results of consensus-building
·A description of the dynamics of consensus politics
·Strategies that call the process to order
·Advice on the pressure points of navigating the dialogue
·A description of the ways that participants can enhance and influence consensus solutions

The experiments and expertise of consensus pioneers will convince readers to use consensus building as a regular leadership tool for enhancing daily operations and future directions in their community or organization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461648413
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	12/22/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	236
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Mirja P. Hanson has three decades of experience facilitating group decision making and policy consensus building in hundreds of communities, school districts, agencies, non-governmental organizations, and corporations.

Editorial Reviews

A well-researched, thoughtful and insightful discussion on collaborative problem solving.

School Administrator

With her 30 years of practical experience, Mirja Hanson delves deeply into the subtleties of the group consensus method and has provided a treasure house full of keys for successful process consultation. This book will remain within constant reach every time I need a refresher on how to facilitate the politics of process.

James P. Troxel

Dr. Hanson's book is an excellent mix of case studies, ready to apply principles and skills, and in-depth process knowledge, all grounded in three decades of experience reflection and study. A must read for any of us seeking greater productivity in our personal, civic and/or professional lives and relationships.

Dr. David Ostermeier

Dr. Hanson has offered the road map that I was fortunate enough to personally experience. She provided direction to move from an autocratic style of management to a collaborative, problem-solving environment that thrived on consensus. This book is a must read for any manager or administrator who wants to achieve excellence in the product they produce or the youth they educate.

Jim Swearingen

Development of a consensus based decision-making model, based on information in this book, will improve morale as the service providers, whether they are teachers or widget makers, will have a direct action on the decisions which affect the work they do.

Jim Luoma

To deal with today's many challenges, we have to operate in a new, fairly uncharted, territory where people with diverse backgrounds and divergent opinions must collaborate to somehow broker successful outcomes.

Clues to Consensus offers a roadmap and travel guidelines that readers can follow to reach destinations in this new territory successfully.

Diane Sprague

All my research indicates, when leaders take time to build consensus through a shared decision-making process, they achieve greater results. This book teaches leaders the most critical tools to move their entire organization forward through the consensus or shared decision-making process. Hats off to Mirja Hanson for putting together a true leader's manual for this incredibly powerful leadership tool.

Dave Webb

Aimed at school districts, agencies, organizations, and communities using consensus decision-making, this guide offers step-by-step advice to achieving consensus. Hanson uses real-life scenarios to illustrate pitfalls and success factors.

May 2006 Research and Reference Book News

Dr. Hanson's book is an excellent mix of case studies, ready to apply principles and skills, and in-depth process knowledge, all grounded in three decades of experience reflection and study. A must read for any of us seeking greater productivity in our personal, civic and/or professional lives and relationships.

Dr. David 'stermeier