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Consensus: The Pot of Gold at the End of the Meeting 共识决：弥足珍贵的决策法宝

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Most decisions reached in meetings require only the support of key individuals or of a simple majority. However, when decisions present a high risk to the majority of participants or will be difficult to enforce, a consensus decision-making process is desirable.

大部份在会议中达成的决定都只要获得关键人物或过半数的支持就行。不过，一旦做出的决定对大多数参加者都是高风险或者难以执行时，会议过程采取共识决会比较理想。

Consensus building seeks to incorporate disparate views in order to maximize mutual ownership of the final decision. Reaching consensus is time consuming, so it is important to define from the outset what level of agreement is required.

寻求达成共识是企图汇整不同的看法，以便终场结论获至最大的共通性。要达成共识很费时，所以一开始界定好要达到哪一层次的共识相当重要。

Unanimity is uncommon and even suspect, as oftentimes it implies coercion or unfair persuasion. Unanimity minus one is an important means of tracking solitary, yet possibly far-sighted opinions; this level of agreement plays an important role in betting markets and stock investment. Unanimity minus two builds solidarity among dissenters, and is an important concept with venture capitalists and judicial processes. Whatever level of consensus is sought, dissenting views should always be noted in the minutes to avoid alienated naysayers.

全体毫无异议不是常有的状况，甚至会启人疑窦，因为它常常暗示有高压手段或是不公平的游说。当产生一致决差一票的情况时，很重要的是去了解那唯一的反对票，但却可能是更有远见的看法：这种决策方式在运动赛事投注或股票投资方面扮演重要角色。而在一致决差二票的情况下，两位异议者之间会产生团结强化作用，这种决策方式在风险投资和司法审判的过程中攸关甚巨。不管寻求哪一种共识，异议者的看法务必要记载在会议纪录里，以避免投反对票者认为他们被冷落了。

For consensus to work, participants must be empowered to disagree and propose alternatives. Therefore, consensus is unlikely to thrive in adversarial environments.

为了让共识决行得通，一定要给参加者有反对和建议其他变通办法的权力。因此，共识决的方式难在全是对抗竞争的环境里大行其道。

For controversial issues, it might not be possible to satisfy everyone. If consensus proves elusive, putting decisions to a majority vote may be the only solution.

对争论性的议题来说，结论可能无法让大家满意。倘若证实了共识决遥不可及，那唯一的解决之道就只有诉诸于多数投票来做决定。

Vocabulary

单词发音

pot of gold 意思是指那种很难获得的成功/很难实现的理想 an imaginary reward

simple majority 简单多数制；过半数

disparate [ˋdɪspərɪt] adj. 不同的；异类的

outset [ˋaʊt͵sɛt] n. 最初，开始，开端

unanimity [͵junəˋnɪmətɪ] n.【正式】一致同意

suspect [səˋspɛkt] adj. 可疑的；受到怀疑的；不可信的

coercion [koˋɝʃən] n. 强制；强迫

solitary [ˋsɑlə͵tɛrɪ] adj. 单独的，唯一的

far-sighted【尤美】有远见的﹐有先见之明的

betting market 赌博市场；博彩市场

solidarity [͵sɑləˋdærətɪ] n. 团结; 团结一致

dissenter [dɪˋsɛntɚ] n. 反对者，持异议者

venture capitalist 风险投资家；风险投资人 A venture capitalist is a person who invests in a business venture, providing capital for start-up or expansion. Venture capitalists are looking for a higher rate of return than would be given by more traditional investments.

minute [ˋmɪnɪt] n. 会议记录

naysayer [ˋne͵seɚ] n. 反对者；唱反调的人

empower [ɪmˋpaʊɚ] v.【正式】授权〔某组织做某事〕

adversarial [͵ædvɚˋsɛrɪəl] adj. 对立的；敌对的

elusive [ɪˋlusɪv] adj. 难以得到的; 难以实现的

Sentence of the Day

Two heads are better than one.

集思广益(三个臭皮匠，胜过一个诸葛亮)。

课文讲解

Angela and Patrick work for a non-profit volunteer organization and are discussing an upcoming meeting: 安杰拉和派崔克两人为非营利志工团体做事，两人正在讨论一项即将召开的会议：

P: Decisions we’ve reached in the past just don’t seem to get implemented! We’ve no way to enforce them. I think we need a different meeting strategy.

以往我们达成的决议似乎没有真正贯彻！我们没有方法来执行。我想我们需要改变开会的策略。

A: Well, one problem is that only a few individuals are making decisions and delegating tasks to others.

嗯，造成问题的原因之一就是仅有少数人作决定，然后把任务交给别人办。

P: Being an egalitarian group with no substantial hierarchy, we need everyone’s participation and agreement in meetings. Volunteers simply aren’t keen to work without having a say in what they’re doing.

因为我们机构讲求平等而且没有明显的层级界限，我们的会议需要大家共同参与取得共识。志工做事出于自愿，若不让他们表达意见，心理上会百般不情愿。

A: I heard other non-profit organizations try to reach a consensus in meetings instead of simply debating and voting. That way decisions are made at the grassroots level and all volunteers can put in their two cents.

我听说其他非营利团体试着让会议达成共识，而不是只有辩论和投票而已。如此做成的决议来自基层，而志工也都能够发表自己的看法。

P: Sounds good. At the same time, though, facilitating that kind of meeting would be tough.

听起来很不错。不过想想，要主持好那样的一个会议却不容易。

A: What if some solitary curmudgeon vetoes for no apparent reason?

如果有一个脾气不好又孤僻的人，没有明显理由却要否决提案怎么办？

P: That’s a risk we’d have to take. Besides, even grumps have a role to play.

这点风险我们得承担。何况，即使喜欢嘀咕抱怨的人也有他存在的价值。

A: True enough. Nevertheless, we might want to think more about how much consensus is enough.

的确。不过，或许我们应该多加思考究竟有多少共识才算够。

P: Better make this one a two-hour meeting.

那最好让这一场会议维持在二小时内。

A: Great, now we just need someone to volunteer to mail out the agendas!

很好，那现在我们需要志工帮忙把议程寄出去！

－by David Wand

Vocabulary

单词发音

implement [ˋɪmpləmənt] v. 实施；执行

delegate [ˋdɛlə͵get] v. 授（权）；把……委托给[（+to）]

egalitarian [ɪ͵gælɪˋtɛrɪən] n. 平等主义者

substantial [səbˋstænʃəl] adj. 真实的，实在的

hierarchy [ˋhaɪə͵rɑrkɪ] n.〔组织﹑团体中的〕统治集团

keen [kin] adj. 极想的[+to-v]

grassroots [ˋgræsˋruts] adj. 基层的，一般民众的

put in one’s two cents  发言 to give one’s opinion in a conversation, often when it is not wanted

curmudgeon [kɚˋmʌdʒən] n. 难以取悦的人；坏脾气的人

veto [ˋvito] v. 否决

grump [grʌmp] n. 脾气坏的人

nevertheless [͵nɛvɚðəˋlɛs] adv. 不过，然而

agenda [əˋdʒɛndə] n. 待议诸事项；议程

Sentence of the Day

Many hands make light work.

人多好办事(众志成城)。

light work  轻松的工作