The Art of Chairing Towards Consensus

"[the chair] … has a deep understanding of the problem or issue under consideration and is able to articulate clearly and succinctly so that all will grasp it quickly.

"[the chair] … sets the model for listening in the hope that all will listen intently and seek to understand all points of view. Listening … gives a temperate quality to the discussion that is conducive to reaching consensus."

" … be sensitive to assess the course of the discussion and decide when it is feasible to begin to search for consensus … In one way or another, the chair states a consensus idea tentatively, asking, "Is this a possible solution?"

"… chairing toward consensus calls for sustained inventiveness in searching for both language and concept that will make a consensus idea."