Choice-creating is the kind of thinking we need. ... It's heartfelt and creative, where people address the most important impossible-seeming issues and achieve breakthrough progress. It often arises naturally in a crisis when normal thinking can’t work. Then in those special circumstances people may put aside their egos and roles to say what they really think with feeling. Judgment is held at bay so the group has more room to roam. And people seek answers that work for everyone ... and for the situation ... and for future generations. Paradoxically as people become more unique by expressing themselves authentically,, group unity can arise more fully. This unity occurs through shifts and breakthroughs, not through negotiation or compromise.

Choice-creating is like decision-making in that the group determines a set of actions, what to do about the problem. But the thinking process is opposite. Judgment is primary in decision-making, like voting for instance. But creativity is primary with choice-creating. With choice-creating people step back from normal life to review what's going on and check in with themselves about what they want. And to figure out what works for everyone. Both decision-making and choice-creating are necessary for democracy. But choice-creating should be primary because it is the thinking process required for “We the People” to set up the system of decision-making. There should be an ongoing "We the People" for each level of society—nation, community, city, world, etc.— where "We the People" provide responsible leadership to "decision-makers". (See the chart contrasting decision-making and choice-creating)

Dynamic Facilitation can reliably evoke choice-creating in small groups. The Wisdom Council Process and the Creative Insight Council can evoke the spirit of choice-creating in large systems of people.

Aspects of choice-creating include ...

• Facing a vital issue … rather than one we can solve that’s clearly defined
• Advocating for your answer ... this is not about being neutral
• Speaking with feeling … it's not about being objective
• Shifts and breakthroughs are frequent ... it’s not a step by step orderly process
• “Creating the choice" ... rather than "making the decision"
• Authenticity ... rather than speaking as a representatives or from a role
• Safe from judgment … people are protected from agreeing & disagreeing
• Following energy … rather than an agenda (e.g. jumping to solutions is OK)
• Diversity is an asset … rather than people find themselves valuing different people and views
• Reflective ... people see what they are saying and how it fits 

Outcomes of choice-creating include ...

• A unanimous group conclusion …“co-sensus” more than “consensus”
• A "choice" … more than a "decision"
• Empowerment … people own the issue and feel the energy to take it forward
• New meaning …  people create a story of what we are accomplishing
• Spirit of “we” … people come together as “We the People”
• Enhanced individuality ... people become more knowledgable, capable, and unique

More Resources on Choice-creating ...

• Decision-making vs. choice-creating
• Dialogue, deliberation, and choice-creating
• Collective decision-making ... comparing three approaches
• Chart comparing "Wise Democracy" (based on choice-creating) vs. "Deliberative Democracy" (based on deliberation)
• Chart comparing Dynamic Facilitation (choice-creating) vs. Traditional Facilitation (decision-making)
• How to Make a Decision without really Making a Decision by Tom Atlee ... as an example of choice-creating achieved through means other than Dynamic Facilitation

See a video interview interview from 2007 on Choice-creating, with guest host Paul Everett

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