Last updated on Jul 13, 2024

Two influential figures clash in a large group setting. How would you navigate the decision-making turmoil?

When two influential figures clash in a large group, the atmosphere can quickly become charged with tension, making effective decision-making a challenging feat. As a facilitator, your role is to guide the group through this turmoil, ensuring that discussions are constructive and that every voice is heard. Navigating such a scenario requires a combination of diplomacy, strategic communication, and a clear understanding of the group's objectives. By keeping these elements in mind, you can turn a potentially volatile situation into an opportunity for collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

1 Assess Impact

To navigate a clash between influential figures, start by assessing the impact of their disagreement on the group. Consider the emotional tone and how it affects other participants. Your goal is to maintain a productive environment, so it's crucial to recognize when to intervene and steer the conversation back on track. Acknowledge the importance of the differing opinions while reminding everyone of the common goals. This sets the stage for a more focused and respectful dialogue, preventing the spread of discord.

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2 Establish Rules

Clear ground rules are essential in managing a large group, especially when influential figures are at odds. You should establish guidelines that promote respectful communication and equal participation. Encourage the group to listen actively and to speak without interruption. By setting these expectations early on, you provide a framework that helps prevent the escalation of conflict and ensures that the decision-making process remains democratic and focused on the issues at hand.

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3 Foster Dialogue

In a situation where influential figures clash, fostering open dialogue is key. Encourage them to express their viewpoints while also inviting others to share their perspectives. This approach not only diffuses tension but also enriches the discussion with diverse insights. As a facilitator, you should actively listen, summarize key points, and ask probing questions that guide the group towards a deeper understanding of the issues and potential solutions.

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4 Explore Options

When navigating decision-making turmoil, exploring all options is vital. Encourage the group to brainstorm various approaches without immediately judging their viability. This inclusive strategy ensures that all potential solutions are considered, and it can often lead to innovative compromises that satisfy the concerns of the clashing figures. Your role in guiding this process is to help the group weigh the pros and cons of each option in relation to the group's objectives.

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5 Build Consensus

Building consensus is a delicate process that requires balancing different interests and finding common ground. You should guide the group towards a solution that, while it may not be perfect for everyone, is acceptable to all. Use techniques such as ranking preferences or seeking incremental agreement to gradually move the group towards consensus. Remember that the goal is not to win an argument but to arrive at a decision that best serves the group's collective purpose.

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6 Take Action

Once consensus is reached, it's important to translate it into action. Work with the group to develop a clear plan, assigning responsibilities and setting timelines. This not only ensures that decisions are implemented but also reinforces the sense of accomplishment and unity within the group. Your role as a facilitator is to maintain momentum by providing support and follow-up, ensuring that the decisions made in the face of conflict lead to positive outcomes.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Thomas Biedermann

Senior Lecturer in Cybernetic Futures, developing participatory methods for the hopeful re/imagination of complex systems | All views expressed are my own
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It pays to be prepared. If you are being brought in from the outside to facilitate the discussion, spend some time understanding the host organisation (Who's who? What is the climate in the organisation overall? What possibly unrelated tensions may be brought in the room?) If in your own organisation, having a quick pre-meeting discussion with these influential participants may help gage their responses.. then think about how these may play out once in the room.

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Two influential figures clash in a large group setting. How would you navigate the decision-making turmoil?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Impact

2 Establish Rules

3 Foster Dialogue

4 Explore Options

5 Build Consensus

6 Take Action

7 Here’s what else to consider

Large Group Facilitation

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Two influential figures clash in a large group setting. How would you navigate the decision-making turmoil?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Impact

2 Establish Rules

3 Foster Dialogue

4 Explore Options

5 Build Consensus

6 Take Action

7 Here’s what else to consider

Large Group Facilitation

Rate this article

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