FAQ: What are main advantages and disadvantages of the Consensus Decision Making Model?
Advantages
- Reduces the likelihood of short-sighted and foolish actions–such as those resulting from organizations plagued by notions of “growth and progress at any cost”.
- Ensures that quieter, and often more thoughtful members can be heard.
- Ensures the widest possible participation.
- Ensures that a wider range of opportunities and concerns are considered.
Disadvantages
- In full consensus, a single person can block all progress, often for emotional, irrational or nefarious reasons. The “Modified Consensus Model” helps alleviate this problem.
- Can lead to a lack of progress if infiltrators or disruptors join the group.
- Can lead to “group think” if unacknowledged dominators exert outsized influence.
- Can lead to long meetings and burnout if minor decisions are not delegated away.
Seeds for Change
The people of Seeds for Change believe that to create real change, we need to come together to fight injustice and win. They support groups who share their core values of equality, freedom and solidarity. They are a workers’ co-op of experienced campaigners, who offer training, facilitation, online resources and other support for campaigns, community groups and co-operatives.