Building Consensus: How Individuals Influence Groups

The processes through which we construct consensus are important, since they can contribute both to destructive groupthink, as well as rationally justified consensus. Taking Searle?s speech act theory and Habermas? theory on communicative action as a starting point this study explores how individuals contribute to the construction of consensus. In addition, practical tools, which can be used to help individuals become aware of their contribution to consensus as well as to create rationally justified consensus are provided. Our account of these processes is developed through a case study on a Swedish non- governmental organization: AIESEC Sweden. This book provides insights for anyone interested in learning more about team dynamics, opinion creation and the ways in which individuals attempt to influence the construction of consensus in a team setting.