GROUP

DISCUSSIONS

GROUP DISCUSSION

Thinking power, Verbal facility, Individuality,

Leadership skills

As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team work, incorporating views of different team members to reach

a common goal.

THE OBSERVER NOTES :

• General awareness

• grasp of the subject• range of ideas• logic and quality of views• breadth of outlook

• Power of expression• ability to put forth views

with logic and command over language

• Social adaptability• ability to draw appreciation• understanding other’s point of view• accepting criticism gracefully• not monopolizing the discussion

• Impact on the group

• intelligent coordination of the views of others [convinces the group]

• Participation

• the quality and extent of participation

TYPES OF GD’S

• Normal – a topic is given by the co-ordinator

• Case study – a printed case study is given

• Role play – a situation is described

SELECTING A TOPIC

• General : all members should be able to speak

• Interesting : motivates everyone

• Topical : relevant to today’s situation

• Possible : at least two points of views to discuss emerge

CHOOSING A LEADER

• One possible approach:

• the group discusses the role of a leader

• the qualities of a leader are highlighted

• interested participants convince the others

• the group selects the most appropriate candidate

• Avoid random voting and arbitrary methods

ROLE OF THE LEADER

• Initiate the discussion

• Ensure that the GD is proceeding in the right direction

• Contribute by bringing up a new relevant aspect so as to add value to discussion

• Encourage group participation

• Maintain decorum during the discussion

• Summarize and conclude if possible

• Avoid falling into the trap of leader being just a scrutinizer

BEGINNING A GD

• The dangers…• may be marked as a person who

speaks without thinking • may also be marked as a person

who leads the group in the wrong direction

• Beginning can put you into jeopardy or command

• The opening speaker gets the maximum uninterrupted time

• Summarize the discussion at the end

• Therefore….• Speak only if you have enough

sensible things to say CONCLUDING A GD

• Accommodate dissenting viewpoints

• Do not force a consensus. It will backfire you

PROBLEMS YOU COULD HAVE

• Dominant individuals• Passive and shy individuals• Losing the Plot• Personalizing Disagreements• False or Controversial Information

POSITIVE MAINTAINANCE ROLES * Social Supporter: 'We're coming up with some good

ideas here.‘

* Harmoniser: 'Jane and Tsen have looked at the issue from opposing points of view. Let's see if we can take something from both points of view.‘

• Tension Reliever: 'This is a valid angle on the issue.' discussion's really dynamic. It's good that we have so many different viewpionts

POSITIVE MAINTAINANCE ROLES

 * Energiser: 'Hey, the point that Ahmed made has really got me thinking. Let's explore his idea some more.‘

• Compromiser: 'Half the group supports Jane's view and half supports Tsen's. Now we need to formulate a compromise that we can all live with.‘

* Gatekeeper: 'How do you feel about the issue, Greg? Your contribution here would be really valuable.'

POSITIVE TASK ROLES

* Initiator: 'Let's take a local perspective on environmental responsibility. Maybe a fast-food outlet?‘

* Information seeker: 'Does anyone know what hospitals does with its garbage? Does it recycle?‘

* Information giver: They won a local government award last year for running an environmentally friendly operation.'

* Procedure facilitator: 'I'll write this down to keep track of our discussion.'

POSITIVE TASK ROLES [contd.]

* Opinion seeker: 'Do you think they're really responsible or is it just a bit of good PR?’

* Opinion giver: 'I think it's a combination of the two, but at least they're taking the issue seriously.’

* Clarifier: 'We need to get hold of xyz annual report to get a better picture of what they're doing.’

* Summariser: 'O.K. We're taking a local perspective, using … as our example, and we'll have a look at last year's annual report to see in what way they practiced environmental responsibility.'

ROLES TO BE AVOIDED

* Disgruntled non-participant: someone who does not contribute and whose presence inhibits the participation of other group members.

* Attacker: someone who acts aggressively by expressing disapproval of other members and their contributions to the discussion.

* Dominator: someone who takes control of the discussion by talking too much, interrupting other members, or behaving in a patronising way.

* Clown: someone who 'shows off', refuses to take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it with inappropriate humour.

• Disgruntled non-participant

• Attacker

• Dominator

• Clown

HOW TO JUMP IN A GD?

* Disgruntled non-participant: someone who does not contribute and whose presence inhibits the participation of other group members.

* Attacker: someone who acts aggressively by expressing disapproval of other members and their contributions to the discussion.

* Dominator: someone who takes control of the discussion by talking too much, interrupting other members, or behaving in a patronising way.

* Clown: someone who 'shows off', refuses to take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it with inappropriate humour.

• Keep an eye on the intensity• wait for the lows and time the

interjection in

• Jump only when the speaker has finished making his point• don’t wait too long or you will

lose the opportunity

* Disgruntled non-participant: someone who does not contribute and whose presence inhibits the participation of other group members.

* Attacker: someone who acts aggressively by expressing disapproval of other members and their contributions to the discussion.

* Dominator: someone who takes control of the discussion by talking too much, interrupting other members, or behaving in a patronising way.

* Clown: someone who 'shows off', refuses to take the discussion seriously, or disrupts it with inappropriate humour.

• Jump in an agreeable manner• start by supporting a point that

has just been made

• Jump by raising your voice• be as loud as the situation

demands• combine it with other tools• use it as the last resort

DO’S • Be determined to do well

• Listen carefully to the instruction of the panel

• Lend ears to others who make genuine contribution

• KISS! Keep it short and sweet

• Always add value to discussion

• Intervene positively to put GD on track

• Conclude periodically

• Adhere to the principles of politeness

• Substantiate and give reasons for your contentions

• Give facts and figures but don’t overdo it

• Have a clear-cut view• Be deliberate and slow in

delivering your points

• Be assertive not aggressive• Make eye contact while speaking• Be sincere

DON’TS

• Interrupt unnecessarily• Try to monopolize the GD

• Adapt a negative stance

• Speak loudly

• Address the panel

• Flay your hands• Speak in turns

DON’TS [contd.]

• Talk too fast

• Be too conscious of your body language

• Over praise people

• Adapt a casual look

• Get excited

HOW TO RUIN YOUR GD ?• Start shouting right from the

beginning

• Make aggressive and threatening gestures [a fist can be helpful]

• Keep changing your stand continuously

• Always contradict what others have to say

• Maintain a sardonic smile on your face

• Ask other members of the group to shut up

• Use your pet slangs

• Laugh loudly and heartily

• Point out the errors of others and make fun of them

• Keep yawning from time to time. Maintain a blank look on your face