Ethos Lite is a tool for applying Ethos Principles and tools to help a team quickly understand and come to a consensus about the next right steps in a time-sensitive dilemma. It can be completed in a couple of hours. It is designed to be used asynchronously, to enable teams to work together without needing a meeting. However, the same toolset and questions can be used in a synchronous meeting to get to a quick decision. It’s in the form of a Google Slides template; simply make a copy and start following the steps.
Make a copy of the template, then name the team and timeline. Invite folks using informed consent.
Define the key facts and history, and clarify the specific proposed action.
Brainstorm potential stakeholders and adversaries, and consider their interests.
Collect information from the team about their sense of risk associated with the proposal. Then the manager analyzes the risks by plotting them on the chart.
Understand where each team member is on the consensus spectrum.
Build a shared understanding by inviting members of the team to post questions they have and provide answers to the questions others have.
Decision-maker decides on a final resolution and articulates this decision to the team.
Decision-maker (and / or manager) outlines the next steps for the decision.
Manager develops and executes a plan to share the decision publically.
Ethos was created and tested over two years by a collaborative team of platform leaders, nonprofit staff, and other social sector professionals led by GlobalGiving. We’ve made it free and easy to use so your team can benefit from our trials and errors.
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