Group Discussion Guidelines

Group Discussion Guidelines

As a student and later as a professional you may have to take part in a group discussion. Your effectiveness would depend upon whether you possess the required personality traits such as quick grasping power, positive approach to the issues and problems, mature reaction to views expressed by others, power of exposition, leadership qualities, analytical ability, pronunciation efficiency, voice modulation skill, body language skill, and group behavior. You should also have the abilities—generating discussion, directing it on the right track, maintaining a smooth flow of discussion, prompting the group to reach an agreed view-point or solution. Besides, the qualities of courtesy, and consideration for others, and concern for eliciting the views of all members are very important in a group discussion. You should try to cultivate these qualities if you do not possess any mentioned here and sharpen the ones you already have. However, the quality of your performance would improve if you follow the guidelines given below in the form of DO's and DONT's.

DO's

Ø  Define the topic or the issue.

Ø  Analyze its scope and implications.

Ø  Initiate and generate the discussion.

Ø  Pay close attention to the views of others intently.

Ø  Give opportunity to the reticent members to speak.

Ø  Get involved in the discussion forcefully but politely, when the situation demands.

Ø  Review others' point of views before presenting your own points of views.

Ø  Make sure you are concise and to the point while presenting your views.

Ø  Accept others' points of view, if they are reasonable.

Ø  Continue your effort to lead the group to a definite conclusion.

Ø  Put emphasis on the points you consider significant.

Ø  Look at the eyes of the members of the group while speaking.

Ø  Address all the members of the group with appropriate tone.

Ø  Make sure that your pronunciation is appropriate.

Ø  Try to conclude the discussion within the allotted time.

Ø  Summarize the points of views at the end of the discussion.

Ø  Try to reach a consensus before winding up the discussion.

Ø  Make sure that the discussion has come to a close in a pleasant atmosphere.

         

DONT's

Ø  Don't be too much self-confident in presenting your views.

Ø  Don't try to impose your decision on others.

Ø  Don't try to dominate the discussion.

Ø  Don't try to make any personal comments.

Ø  Don't make haste to come to a conclusion.

Ø  Don't get involved in dyadic discussion.

Ø  Don't continue speaking for a long time.

Ø  Neither speak too softly nor raise your voice too high.

Ø  Don't reflect monotonous tone in your speaking.

Ø  Don't use speech mannerisms and time fillers.

Ø  Don't express aggressive gestures.

Ø  Neither lean forward nor recline in your chair.

Ø  Don't try to ignore and belittle any member of the group.