Choice-creating is a type of thinking where people face difficult high-energy issues, which may seem impossible-to-solve, creatively and collaboratively. Results may a new level of clarity, empowerment and readiness for action. And possibly breakthrough progress. ... When groups work together in the spirit of choice-creating, they achieve unity because progress happens through shifts and breakthroughs. If choice-creating happens over time for a large system of people, then it sparks into existence a new entity, "We the People", capable of taking ultimate responsibility for the System. 

Choice-creating often arises naturally in a crisis, after normal thinking breaks down. Then people put aside their ego-centric positions, step back and listen for what's really happening. They seek to understand the feelings of themselves and others, include diverse perspectives and seek answers that work for all. The unity that arises from choice-creating is different from what people mean when they speak of "consensus". (See Forms of Democratic decision-making)

Choice-creating can also occur naturally in a "time out" moment, where people step back to think, address the big issues and seek breakthrough progress. Unlike with "decision-making," breakthrough progress is normal. (See Decision-making vs. Choice-creating)

In both choice-creating and decision-making people determine what to do. But the thinking process is opposite. With decision-making, judgment is primary, like in voting. But creativity is primary with choice-creating. Both decision-making and choice-creating are necessary for democracy. But choice-creating, which should be primary in a democracy, is largely missing from our current thinking process. Ideally, in a democracy, there should be an ongoing "We the People" to provide responsible leadership for the decision-making process.

Dynamic Facilitation can reliably evoke choice-creating in small groups. The Wisdom Council Process and 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 the Jim Rough Show archive (2007) on Choice-creating, with guest host Paul Everett

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