• Consensus: requires the majority approve, and the minority agree to go along.
    • Consensus decision does not fit well with modern business as you often need active assent. Soliciting active assent is not a common pattern in meetings, and is often assumed through tacit silence1.
  • Advice: Any person in the organization can make any decision, but the person must seek advice of all stakeholders and people with experience in the matter.
  • Benevolent Dictatorship: One individual makes all the decisions
  • Random: Leaves the choice to random chance
  • Unanimity: The group discusses the issue until it reaches an agreement by all those that are part of the situation.
  • Consent: “no objections”. Consent does not mean you fully agree, but you can “live with it”. It is not unanimity or full agreement.
  • Solidarity: unwavering commitment to the group, individual will supressed.2

1. Dagdeviren, C. Don’t Assume Consensus In The Absence of Objection. https://candost.blog/dont-assume-consensus-in-the-absence-of-objection/ (2021).

2. Cleff, A. Decision Making Patterns for Teams. https://www.andycleff.com/2021/09/decision-making-patterns-for-teams/ (2021).