You might find this information useful in understanding how consensus is reached. Thanks for the link.
Techniques I have observed which are not in this link are:
- to have votes about what the consensus is and then select either the most voted for items or reject the least voted for items and to change the sense of the vote each time in order to keep the desired outcome on the table
- to fill the audience with "shills" who know the desired outcome and make statements in its favor as well as "stuff the ballot box"
- use the phrase "keep an open mind", which means do it our way because we sure aren't going to do it your way,
- Another favorite is "can't we just try this method," under the pretense that we can go to another later, "if it doesn't work out"
PS, My boss once put me in charge of a committee with a clear objective of getting results. I told the committee we would make decisions by consensus by which I meant we would discuss the subject and then I would tell everyone what the consensus was.