Navigating Group Decisions

Of all the collaborative groups we’ve worked with around the world, the number one complaint we hear about is: slow decision-making! If you've tried doing group decisions through consensus, you've probably felt the drag... progress gets stalled, small disagreements blow out of proportion, people disengage... the decision process feels like sailing in circles 🙄 

So the big dilemma is:  how to be effective and inclusive in decision-making? Can we be fast, and fair? Our answer: Absolutely! 

The problem is a common misconception: that team decisions are black or white. Either one leader dictates or the entire team deliberates until there’s unanimous agreement. We are here to challenge that myth.

In this course we will share with you how to use 4 different collaborative methods: We’ll distinguish Consensus from Consent, introduce the Advice Process, and discuss how to set up clear Mandates. 

It’s not just about the methods though, how do you use them effectively? And when? And how can they be adjusted to match your context?

 

Mature collaborative teams have a secret: they invest time deciding how to decide. They have a Decisions Protocol, a clear compass to navigate their decisions more effectively. So, in this course we will guide you to create your own.

What’s in this course?

• Decision Methods: Consensus, Consent, Advice Process, and Mandates - strengths, pitfalls and best use. 
• Method Matching: identify the best methods for different types of team decisions.
• Decisions Protocol: we will show you how to create your team’s protocol.
• Weathering Storms: strategies to move forward when challenges arise.
• Iteration: using retrospectives to learn and improve your decisions.

What you’ll get

• 🙌 Hands-on Learning: in a participatory context with interactive exercises —this is far from your average lecture series
• 🤓 Real-World Wisdom: we bring all the inside tips and advice from our frontline experiences making collaborative decisions in groups for more than a decade
• 🛠️ Practical Tools and Guides: We will show you how to bring these methods to your team and how to create your own decision protocol.
• 🤝 Peer Support: Bounce ideas, share concerns, and co-create solutions.

By the end of this workshop, you'll walk away with clear action steps to improve your team's decision-making.  

Why Join?

Whether you’re a newbie to the collaborative decisions sea, or a seasoned sailor looking for a refresh… This course will bring some fresh perspectives, in an approachable and actionable way.

Join us for two transformative sessions. Refine your navigational prowess and make decisions that don't just look good on the map, but feel right in practice!

Your Guide: 

Natalia Lombardo 

Born in Argentina, now based in Europe. Her background is in community development, permaculture and creative activism. She has more than a decade of experience working in self-organising teams. As a facilitator, coach and consultant, she helps groups to cultivate a collaborative culture through behavioral change and peer-to-peer support. She is a co-founder of The Hum, and member of the Enspiral network.

What people say about our course:

“The training was the perfect way to equip our team with tools to overcome challenges of organising in a decentralised and value-driven way. “ Irem Tumer, Youth Leadership and Participation UNFPA

"Very practical and up-to-date training for anyone who wants to take organizations to a new and modern level of collaboration." Andreas Czermak, Managing Director

Logistics:

We will meet for 2x  90min calls on ZOOM, on Tuesday Oct 31st and Thursday Nov 2nd, at 5:30-7pm CET. The calls will be recorded and shared with all participants the day after. 

The calls are participatory, we will spend time in full group and small group conversations and exercises, so make sure you are in a quite location and you have capacity to fully participate.

Tickets:

To make this workshop more accessible we have a tiered ticket price €100/ €140/ €180. We have limited availability, please choose the ticket price according to your financial circumstances. 

We provide part and full scholarships for people working on social impact projects. If you would like to apply please fill in this form, and we will be in touch.