This document provides information on effective communication and reaching consensus. It discusses the communication process, barriers to effective communication, and decision making styles. Guidelines are presented for reaching consensus, including avoiding arguing for one's own way, viewing differences of opinion as helpful, and being open and candid. Behaviors that can aid consensus are also outlined, such as non-evaluative listening, seeking clarification, and exploring all viewpoints. The document emphasizes avoiding techniques like majority voting and instead focusing on understanding different perspectives to reach an agreement all parties can support.

1. THE ROAD TO
CONSENSUS
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2. Program Content
• Communication Process
• Barriers To Communication
• Effectiveness Of Message
• Decision Making Styles
• Power Of Consensus
• Reaching Consensus
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3. EXPECTATIONS
HOPES
CONCERNS
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4. Introduction
What is Communication?
The literal meaning of communication is “to
make common”. It is a personal
process involving the transfer of information,
ideas and feelings between two or more
parties.
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5. 5

6. The Communication Process
NoiseSender
Receiver
decodes
Receiver
creates
meaning
Transmitted
on medium
MessageEncoding
EncodingMessage
Transmitted
on medium
Source
decodes
Feedback 6

7. Any factor disturbing,
confusing and interfering the
communication in any way.
The reversal of the
communication process, where
the receiver expresses a
reaction to the sender.
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8. BarriersNOIbbbbnnSENOISE to
Effective Communication
 Physical Barriers (time, environment,
physical medium of communication)
 Experiential Barriers (new information
not experienced before)
 Perceptual Barriers (different
backgrounds and perspectives)
 Motivational Barriers (mental inertia)
 Cultural Barriers
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9. Barriers to Effective Communication
 Emotional Barriers (feelings)
 Organizational Barriers (business
practices, position in the hierarchy)
 Non-verbal Barriers (gestures, tone)
 Competition Barriers (other competing
elements for the receiver’s attention)
 Linguistic Barriers (Language & words)
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10. Pick A Topic For Discussion:
• A Tour For A Foreign Friend
• The Greatest Birthday Party
• You won $ 1,000,000…How To
Spend It?
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12. CONSENSUS
operational definition
• I believe that you understand my point of view
• I believe that I understand your point of view
• Whether or not I prefer this decision, I will
support it, because it was arrived at in an
open and fair way
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13. Guidelines For Reaching Consensus
• Avoid arguing for the sake of “getting your
own way”
• Avoid changing your mind to minimize conflict
• View differences of opinion as helpful/healthy
• Be suspicious of initial or quick agreement
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14. Group Behaviors That Aid Consensus
• Non-evaluative listening
• Seeking clarification
• supporting and building
• Being completely candid and open
• Establishing group goals and procedures/processes
• Explore all viewpoints
• Avoiding voting or averaging
• Support minority viewpoints
• Providing recognition
• Trust
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15. GUIDELINES FOR REACHING CONSENSUS
1. AVOID ARGUING FOR THE SAKE OF "GETTING YOUR OWN WAY".
2. AVOID CHANGING YOUR MIND FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
AVOIDING CONFLICT.
3. AVOID CONFLICT-REDUCING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS MAJORITY
VOTE, AVERAGING, BARGAINING, COIN FLIPPING, ETC.
4. VIEW DIFFERENCES OF OPINION AS NATURAL AND HELPFUL
RATHER THAN AS A HINDRANCE.
5. BE SUSPICIOUS OF INITIAL AGREEMENT.
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16. SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATORS
PLANNING SUMMARY
• SKILLED AVERAGE
• Overall amount of time spent same
• Number of outcomes/options considered per issue 5.1 2.6
• % of comments about areas of anticipated common ground 38 11
• % of comments about long-term considerations of issues 8.5 4
• Use of sequences during planning 2.1 4.9
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