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