There are two aspects to this:
(1) The first is that groups need to be in choice on how they run themselves. Don’t deceive or cover up what you are trying to do. If you are expecting or experiencing backlash to a “complete package” like sociocracy is perceived by some, use pieces and state why you want to use them. E.g. don’t say “I want to use rounds because that’s what is done in sociocracy” but say “I want to use rounds because they make it easier for everyone to listen and be heard.”
(2) There are limits of what we call “stealth implementation”, as they never create the level of clarity around governance that an explicit and agreed-upon governance system does. For example, as a facilitator of a group, you can use consent without calling it that; but as long as consent is not the agreed-upon method of decision-making and is only used here and there, the benefit of knowing that everyone will be heard, and the commitment to working towards a solution that works for everyone will only be present occasionally.
For more information, check out our handbook Many Voices One Song section 6.10