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What is consensus and why should we care?

The dictionary definition is: Coming together in agreement. That is, we all buy in, we agree, we may have some areas of disagreement, but, by golly, we're in this together.

A vote is entirely different. The mind set behind the vote is that my stick is bigger than your stick. Our guys are more powerful than your guys. It's adversarial. You won this time but we'll get you on the next round.

Why does this matter? There's a tremendous shift toward team effort, shared values, common mind sets, a whole company marching together into the sunset. The belief is either we pull it off or we sink the ship. Out of desperation comes the need to co-operate and build on the strengths of all. There's no room for people who don't buy in, because the strength of each is so necessary for the strength of the whole.

The danger in non-consensus is that the unhappy ignored individuals will sabotage the latest change effort, whether it was voted on or not.

As was said at the time of the French Revolution: "We hang together, or we each hang separately." The gallows of change are ready to hang the company that can't respond quickly enough to the customer or the client. Nothing can be taken for granted. Assume if Harry didn't vote for it, Harry ain't going along with it. We need each and every Tom, Dick, Harry and Harrietta on board to stay afloat.