Do your meetings become loud or emotional contests when there's a controversial decision on the agenda? Ever have meetings where everyone agrees because no one wants to seem negative?

Try the inquiry method instead.

How to use the inquiry method in a meeting

1. Ask each person to prepare arguments both for and against a proposal.
2. The chair then says, 'Sonya, let's hear an agument for the proposal', then, 'Greg, let's hear an argument against.' (Notice it's an argument, not your argument.)
3. Your chair ensures that everyone presents the case for and the case against.

An essential rule is to argue as convincingly as you can on both sides of the debate. Ideally, no one should be able to guess which side you were on till everyone has spoken twice.