How can you build consensus among remote stakeholders in virtual strategic communications?

2 Prepare your stakeholders

The second step is to prepare your stakeholders for the virtual facilitation, by setting clear expectations, providing relevant information, and inviting their input. You want to ensure that your stakeholders understand the purpose, agenda, and outcomes of the session, and how they can contribute to the consensus-building process. You should also solicit their opinions, concerns, and questions beforehand, and incorporate them into your design. This will help you build rapport, trust, and buy-in among your stakeholders.

3 Facilitate with structure and flexibility

The third step is to facilitate the session with structure and flexibility, by following a well-planned agenda, using a variety of methods, and adapting to the dynamics of the group. You want to create a safe and inclusive space for your stakeholders to share their perspectives, listen to each other, and find common ground. You should also use different methods to engage your stakeholders, such as brainstorming, voting, ranking, and action planning. And you should be ready to adjust your pace, tone, and direction according to the feedback and energy of the group.

5 Summarize and confirm consensus

The fifth step is to summarize and confirm consensus among your stakeholders, by highlighting the main points, outcomes, and actions of the session, and asking for their agreement and commitment. You want to ensure that your stakeholders are clear about what has been achieved, decided, and agreed upon, and how they will follow up and implement the actions. You should also ask for their feedback on the process and the results of the session, and thank them for their participation and contribution.

6 Follow up and sustain consensus

The final step is to follow up and sustain consensus among your stakeholders, by communicating the outcomes, actions, and next steps of the session, and providing support and accountability. You want to keep your stakeholders informed, engaged, and motivated to carry out the actions and achieve the goals of the session. You should also provide support and resources to help them overcome any challenges or barriers, and monitor and evaluate their progress and impact. And you should celebrate and recognize their achievements and learnings, and foster ongoing collaboration and communication.

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?