Each member of a group contributes to and calculates a new shared value. A distributed shared value algorithm is used to reach unanimous agreement on a shared value, such that every group member can use the new shared value as soon as it is changed. The distributed shared value agreement methodology operates without the selection of a leader. Each group member performs the distributed shared value agreement methodology and computes the new shared value using one or more of the contributions from the group members in such a way that no one member coerces the resulting shared value.