The illustration ‘Hand signal for standing aside’ shows a hand signal used in the consent procedure, featuring four outstretched fingers. The illustration depicts a state of neutral non-participation which, whilst allowing a decision to be made, simultaneously serves as a warning signal regarding the social stability of the circle:
• Passive acceptance without support: The member signals that it cannot actively support the proposal in substance, but at the same time refrains from blocking the group by exercising a veto. It is a form of ‘stepping aside’ so as not to stand in the way of the community’s progress.
• Warning signal for social self-exclusion: This context highlights a risk to group cohesion. A member who stands to one side is symbolically positioning itself on the periphery of the group and, to some extent, excluding itself. This requires increased attention from the facilitator and the group to ensure they do not lose touch with this person.
• Need for role clarification: If the objection cannot be resolved, the group must explicitly clarify how the member can contribute to implementation in future without having to be directly involved in shaping the rejected aspect.
• Sacrifice of loyalty for the common good: The diagram represents an attitude in which an individual accepts its own dissatisfaction in order to preserve the organisation’s ability to act. This willingness to set aside personal integrity for the sake of the matter at hand should be expressly acknowledged by the group.
• Optional written documentation: Unlike serious concerns, which must be recorded, in the case of standing aside, it is at the member’s discretion whether this position should be formally recorded in writing.
• Need for follow-up: The context suggests that clarifying the underlying needs is often not possible within the ongoing decision-making process, but requires a confidential follow-up discussion to ensure the member’s long-term integration.
Source: See here