GROUP

1. GROUP DISCUSSIONS

2. GROUP DISCUSSION 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. Thinking power, Verbal facility, Individuality, Leadership skills

3. THE OBSERVER NOTES : • General awareness • grasp of the subject • range of ideas • logic and quality of views • breadth of outlook

4. 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

5. Impact on the group • intelligent coordination of the views of others [convinces the group] • Participation • the quality and extent of participation

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Maintain decorum during the discussion • Summarize and conclude if possible • Avoid falling into the trap of leader being just a scrutinizer

11. BEGINNING A GD • Beginning can put you into jeopardy or command • The opening speaker gets the maximum uninterrupted time • 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

12. Therefore…. • Speak only if you have enough sensible things to say CONCLUDING A GD • Summarize the discussion at the end • Accommodate dissenting viewpoints • Do not force a consensus. It will backfire you

13. PROBLEMS YOU COULD HAVE • Dominant individuals • Passive and shy individuals • Losing the Plot • Personalizing Disagreements • False or Controversial Information

14. 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

15. 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.'

16. 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.'

17. 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.'

18. 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

19. 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

20. * 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. DON’TS • Interrupt unnecessarily • Try to monopolize the GD • Adapt a negative stance • Speak loudly • Address the panel • Flay your hands • Speak in turns

24. DON’TS [contd.] • Talk too fast • Be too conscious of your body language • Over praise people • Adapt a casual look • Get excited

25. 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

26. 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