“If we make our goal to live a life of compassion and unconditional love, then the world will indeed become a garden where all kinds of flowers can bloom and grow.”
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Effective groups
Decision making
Consensus building and conflict resolution are key components of how we work together and reflect our spiritual practices and values.
Conflict resolution top^
Beyond Intractability
Contains a range of resources to assist in avoiding and resolving conflicts that seem to be stuck in an increasingly destructive spiral.
Website, linked 09/10
http://www.beyondintractability.org/
Conflict Resolution
A brief outline of how to approach conflict resolution.
Tree Bressen, linked 09/10
http://www.treegroup.info/topics/handout-conflict.pdf
Conflict Resolution Principles
Nine principles for constructive conflict resolution, drawn from Fisher & Ury, "Getting to Yes."
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 09/10
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Conflict Resolution Principles.net.pdf
Dangerous Discussions
A process for enabling stakeholders who seem committed to opposing views to engage in civil, constructive discussion.
Teaching, Learning and Technology Group, linked 09/10
http://www.tltgroup.org/FridayLive/DangerousDiscussions/ClothingTheEmperor/method.htm
Eight Steps for Conflict Resolution
Outlines eight steps for conflict resolution, and provides other resources.
University of Wisconsin-Madison website, linked 09/10
http://www.ohrd.wisc.edu/onlinetraining/resolution/index.asp
Interpersonal Relationships and Conflict Resolution
Short, useful article highlighting the differences between task-oriented and process-oriented persons.
Rob Sandelin, Community Resource Guide (1997), linked 09/10
http://wiki.ic.org/wiki/Interpersonal_relationships_and_conflict_resolution
Nine Principles for Conflict Resolution and Peace Negotiations
Constructive principles for resolving conflict from Deepak Chopra.
Peace is the Way website, linked 09/10
http://www.peaceisthewayglobalcommunity.org/Masters/9%20Principles.aspx?Username=
Principled Negotiation
Excellent summary of the interest-based approach to negotiation set out in the best-known conflict resolution book, "Getting to Yes," first published in 1981 by Roger Fisher and William Ury.
University of Colorado, linked 09/10
http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/pricneg.htm
Consensus process top^
Basics of Consensus
Excellent summary of what the consensus process is and isn't, and how to make it work effectively in groups.
Rob Sandelin, Consensus Works!, linked 09/10
http://nica.ic.org/Process/Consensusbasics.php
Consensus Decision Making
Excellent short overview article on what consensus requires and the challenges to a consensus process.
Mary McGhee, linked 09/10
http://www.casagordita.com/consensus.htm
Consensus Decision-Making
Excellent brief summary of the principles and practices of the consensus process, including a flow chart.
Tree Bressen, linked 09/10
http://www.treegroup.info/topics/handout-consensus.pdf
How to Use a Consensus Process to Make Decisions
A clear, practical article on using the consensus process.
Sheila Kerrigan, Community Arts Network Reading Room, linked 09/10
http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2004/09/how_to_use_a_co.php
Voting Fallbacks
Useful guidelines for voting fallbacks to consensus.
Tree Bressen, linked 09/10
http://www.treegroup.info/topics/voting_fallbacks.pdf
What Are Dialogue & Deliberation?
An easy-to-read overview from the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation that examines the differences between dialogue and deliberation, how they can work together, and practical applications.
NCDD website, linked 09/10
http://www.thataway.org/?page_id=713
Working with Blocks and Concerns
Excellent brief summary of how to approach blocks to the formation of consensus.
Tree Bressen, linked 09/10
http://www.treegroup.info/topics/handout-blocks&concerns.pdf
Decision-making principles top^
Decision-Making Principles
Eight questions to be answered prior to a decision being reached.
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 09/10
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Decision-Making Principles.net.pdf
Ethical Decision Making: How to Make Ethical Decisions in 5 Steps
A short piece on what is ethical and how to consider ethics in decision making.
Lyndsay Swinton, “Management for the rest of us,” linked 09/10
http://www.mftrou.com/ethical-decision-making.html
How to Make Decisions: How to Do a Cost Benefit Analysis in 3 Easy Steps
A synopsis of how to analyze costs and and benefits and make a decision accordingly...all in 3 easy steps.
Lyndsay Swinton, “Management for the rest of us,” linked 09/10
http://www.mftrou.com/cost-benefit-analysis.html
How to Make Decisions: Six Hats Thinking
Excellent summary of de Bono's six hats approach, showing how it forces one to look at issues from multiple perspectives.
Lyndsay Swinton, “Management for the rest of us,” linked 09/10
http://www.mftrou.com/six-hats-thinking.html
Principles of Decision Making
Eleven principles of collaborative problem solving to promote lateral communication and shared decision-making.
Natural Resources Research Institute, linked 09/10
http://www.gdrc.org/decision/fs-2.html