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Anonym A
am 24. Jan. 2020
Global

What is more important, dissent or consensus?

How would you answer this question in your Personal Fit interview? Receive feedback on your answer and browse through the Q&As to review the approaches of other applicants and experts.

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Coach
am 27. Jan. 2020
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews

It’s a thin ice to walk on.

  • On the one hand, if you answer “dissent” you risk of coming off as stubborn and arrogant, the person who is pushing her opinion no matter what.
  • On the other hand, if you answer “consensus” you risk of coming off as a softy, the person who agrees to everything, so that people don’t get upset.

So, if asked that question in an interview I would go with a typical consulting answer of “it depends” :) 

  • If you disagree with smbd and think that if your opinion is not taken into account, then the client interests are not served the best or your values are compromised, then “dissent”.
  • But if you disagree with smbd and your idea is just as good as anybody else’s at the table and it’s important to bring all the stakeholders on board to move things forward, then “consensus”.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Daniel

Clara
Coach
am 30. Sept. 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

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am 19. Apr. 2022

This depends on the situation: in case of high urgency consensus is important, whereas dissent is in my opinion crucial to increase quality. 

In general both terms are of course connected and equally important to move teams and businesses forward. A lack of one, would mean an extreme of the other - which both could lead to progress being undermined.

4
Anonym F
am 25. Mai 2022

I believe this is a matter of where we are at the process of finding a solution. Dissent in the earlier stages of the project might lead to fruitful discussions throughout the process and, therefore, can be is important to identify the most valuable strategies. However, at the final stages of the solution process -once all information and ideas have been shared- it is important to find the best suitable option and, therefore, consensus is more important at the final stage of the project.

4
am 28. Jan. 2025

Both are equally important. Its a dynamic process

4
am 2. März 2025

Das kommt drauf an. Ich glaube wir benötigen Dissenz um uns gegenseitig zu challengen & das bestmögliche Ergebnis zu erzielen. Gleichzeitig kann konstanter Dissenz zu verlangsamung & weniger effizienz in Prozessen führen. Hier benötigt man mehr Konsens - in Situationen in denen man schnell vorankommen muss. Ich glaube es liegt dann an einem guten Manager für beide die Balance zu halten

4
am 18. März 2025

Dissent, because consensus means:
If we have 2 ideas, they're equal, one is to through away

4
am 26. März 2025

both needed for a healthy society

4
am 10. Jan. 2021

Disagree and commit

  • Say your say and make your point - don't be afraid to challenge norms and practices if there is good reason, but you can't always have your way and you will not always be right. That's how you learn.
  • If no-one is going to convince the other make a decision through majority or seniority and everyone commits to the course of action
  • Don't see it as opportunity for I told you so's but learning opportunity
3
Anonym D
am 7. Dez. 2021

dissent

3
bearbeitet am 24. Juli 2022

Well consensus is the most important thing, because even though dissent may bring some reults there can be absolutely no results without consensus.

3
Anonym G
am 28. Apr. 2025

Both is important. Depending on the situation one might outweigh the other, so "it depends". Dissent and further discussion might increase quality but in situations where a solution is urgent consensus is just as important.

3
am 4. Juni 2025

I think consensus is more important because it’s import when working in teams to come to a cohesive and friendly outcome, that the majority is proud of and agrees with or can meet in the middle on 

3
Anonym B
am 8. Sept. 2021

Trying to reach consensus is not always practical, as many new ideas come up from discontent. 

Dissent brings better opportunity for brainstorming.

2
Anonym C
am 7. Nov. 2021

Konsens 

Da es eine Schnittmenge für gemeinsames agieren schafft

2
am 19. Jan. 2022

Dissent, as I can bring a contribute to the team

2
Anonym E
am 17. März 2022

Power

Genau 

Ungeduldig

2
am 20. Mai 2022

consensus

2
am 30. Juni 2023

an consensus via desentment

1
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