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Five-Finger Voting

Description of Five-Finger Voting

Five-Finger Voting is a voting format to agree upon alternatives after they are discussed extensively. To create the alternative proposals for group decisions, there are other formats.

Five-Finger Voting is an elaborated variant of Thumb Voting which is a simple version of the Five-to-Fold format for decision-making. A group has to decide in a very short time on a proposal and possible alternatives to solve the issue.

The participants debated extensively the proposal and it's alternatives in a discussion up-front, e.g. in a Five-to-Fold facilitation. Now, it is time to decide. — You can vote with Five Fingers or with Coulored Cards.

When a group is asked to take a decision, the members try to find a common level of agreement by either democratic voting or consensus-based decision-making. In case of consensus-based decisioning seldom all people agree equally to the decision found. Instead, they commit themselves to a level of personal agreement.

 

Rules of Five-Finger Voting

One out of the group

• Explains the issue shortly.
• Offers the solution.
• Fields questions — only short answers — no discussion.
• Asks the group for finger-voting:
  • Folding – no fingers: You want to block the proposal because you believe it’s damaging.
  • One finder: You have serious reservations but will not block or subvert the effort. You also commit to open communication regarding your reservations.
  • Two fingers: You have important reservations but will support the initiative.
  • Three fingers: You’re on board.
  • Four fingers: You give strong support and active participation, but you’re not willing to lead the initiative.
  • Five fingers: You’re all-in and prepared to own the project. You’ll take the lead if asked.

Note:

• Folding is not a failure — its part of the process,
• Forced consensus drives dissent underground.
• Real consensus is never achieved by sacrificing your values or strongly held beliefs.

In case of dissent (i.e. three fingers and less) go back to Five-to-Fold facilitation:

• Remain flexible.
• Seek to be useful.
• Stay calm.
• Invite conversation.
• Address problems.
• Develop alternatives.
• Expand possibilities.
• Take another’s perspective.
• Clarify mission and vision.
• Explore options.
• Find acceptable levels of unity without browbeating dissenters.

When to use Five-Finger Voting

• There is an issue to solve.
• There is a proposal (and alternatives) as a solution.
• There is a group, the participants, that has the authority to decide.
• There is only very short time.