Consensus Building Strategies (Bailey & Jakicic, 2012, p. 8-9)

The process yields the best solution that's available to the team at the moment in time and is not based on meeting halfway or voting.

The steps to building consensus include:

1. Build shared knowledge (of the issue).
2. Define the problem and determine any criteria that would need to be met in order for the solution to be considered acceptable. (For example, the solution can't increase costs, or it must be accomplishable during the instructional day).
3. Participate in guided brainstorming or input on solutions.
4. Prune the solutions.
5. Identify a solution that meets acceptability criteria.
6. Establish final consensus.

DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, & Many's  (2010) 

Fist to Five Strategy

Here's how it works.: 
After stating the proposal, the facilitator asks individuals to react to a proposal by raising the number of fingers that correspond to their position.

5 fingers- I'm all for the idea. I can be a leader.
4 fingers - I'm for the idea. I can provide support.
3 fingers - I'm not sure, but I'm willing to trust the group's opinion.
2 fingers - I'm not sure. I need more discussion.
1 finger - I can't support it at this time. I need more information.
0 fingers (fist) - No. I need an alternative that I can support.

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