What does reaching consensus in a group imply?

Reaching consensus in a group implies a general agreement among members, meaning that while not everyone may agree on every single detail, there is enough shared understanding and acceptance that the group can move forward together. This process encourages open dialogue, where differing opinions are considered and integrated into the group's final position.

Consensus is not about achieving complete agreement on every detail, as that would be impractical in many situations, especially in larger or more diverse groups. It also does not involve allowing one person to make decisions for the entire group, which would undermine the collaborative nature of consensus. Additionally, resolving disagreement through conflict is counterproductive to the goal of consensus; instead, the aim is to find a resolution that everyone can support, even if it means some compromise. Thus, the essence of reaching consensus centers on finding common ground while maintaining respect for varying viewpoints.