-----Original Message-----
From: Management Education and Development Discussion
[mailto:
MG-ED-DV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf Of ESTEBAN TREVI�O
MUGUERZA
"Should we seek consensus even tough at the local level this implies
sacrifices?
Or should we just dictate rules from the system perspective?"
YES, Consensus is a worth Goal, Always!
I recall a number of years ago when I was head of a project to define a
computer system that "would meet everybody's needs and provide
standardization throughout the organization." I formed a work group of 20 -
30 representatives from each site and we met for a week. We did a lot of
screaming and yelling at each other because everybody was looking out for
their own interests. A month later we met for a second week, and we started
to come together as people came to understand that as long as they got what
they wanted, they shouldn't worry about what the others wanted. In later
weeks, more and more compromise took place and we started to share ideas and
shortcuts and learn from each other.
We ended up with a true consensus and a great product that every site agreed
to.
I am still reminded of that first meeting with all of the grown men and
women screaming and yelling at each other. It is a legend within the
organization but it is also linked directly to the final product.
The moral here is that conflict and disagreement are "OK" but not quitting
because of them. Consensus will come, it may take awhile, but it will come.
Jim Massfeller
Fort Mill, SC