Building consensus amongst Youth

Young people who are generally intelligent wish to express their individual opinions on a subject. The fault is they are usually unable to listen to the opinions of others which differ from their own. In that sense they tend to be very narrow minded and not open to hearing other opinions, even though at the same time they are fickle and are able to switch allegiances in a moment if their wishes are not fulfilled with the first interaction.

So how does one deal with this dichotomy? It is easier to first explain that there are divergent opinions and that we must make an attempt at least to understand why other people have them and try and look at the issue from their perspective which may differ significantly from ours.

It is important at that stage to reason, why one holds one’s own opinion so that one can back one’s statements with reasoning, which may not find acceptance with others, but which nevertheless is a belief one holds due to one’s own rationale. One is then able to build on that belief with facts and be able to defend it without fear or hesitation, further strengthening the case within one’s own mind and perhaps convincing others of its merit.

It is through reasoning therefore that one can expect others to convert to your opinion. In this was you are able to gain credibility and a following which will enable you to strengthen your base and build up your case in areas of doubt and debate.

Only then can one build consensus, in taking positions in finding agreement on matters of concern for youth, be it in a political party, a club or even a charitable venture as they all require considerable debate before agreement is reached preferably unanimously but otherwise through consensus with a few dissenters, as is sometimes inevitable in some important issues.

This will assist a young person in communicating with the older set as well and show the power of youth in important decisions. I do believe that in time youth can take automatic leadership if they are able to compromise and build a consensus at the same time, as it shows maturity, which is important when one takes up responsibility especially in a managerial situation, where one has to play a delicate game with different parties, all tasked with carrying out objectives of the institution. When one is more able to deal with differing objectives, it is easier to manage and build consensus with others.