A Guide to the Consent-based Decision-making Protocol for Teams

While leaders in collaborative groups usually have a strong desire for basic transparency and inclusion of voices, people can feel left out or confused about who decides what and when.

This lack of clarity can create significant risks for building trust and also agency.

But clarity and transparency about how decisions get made brings positive energy and momentum to the work in whatever context.

Still, some of the community members who are most affected by decisions aren’t actually members of the team making that decision, or the organization, or the initiative.

Instead of a culture focused on attending meetings, this Protocol creates a culture of network weaving – building connections and maintaining relationships that help goodwill and wisdom flow throughout the community.

For leaders who are already using consent-based decision-making, or who think this might be what they need, the Consent-based Decision-making Protocol for Teams provides a standard for how to apply the Consent Principle in decision-making.

Applying the Consent Principle can transform the way we make decisions together and foster a culture of trust, respect, and shared responsibility for all.

Following this Protocol encourages relationship-building and ongoing conversations between decision-makers and community members.
 
We hope this Guide becomes a helpful tool that people can return to as a reference as they practice consent-based decision-making.