GROUP COMMUNICATION

Forms of Group Communication

Group Discussion and Its Principles
Group discussion strategies
GD as a Part of Selection Process
Organizational GD
Tips for success in GD
Meeting: Purposes & Preparation
Minutes of the Meeting
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INTRODUCTION
As against one-to-one communication
and mass
communication, group
communication implies a many-to-many
communication.

Major forms of Group Communication are:

Meeting
Seminar
Symposium
Group Discussion
Panel Discussion
Conference

What is GD?

GD may refer to a communicative situation that

allows its participants to express views and opinions
to other participants.
It is a group process.
It is systematic.
It is purposeful and goal oriented.
GD is a systematic and purposeful interactive oral
process.
GD is different from debate. in nature-approachprocedure

Characteristics of GD
Having a clear objective: The participants need to

know the purpose of group discussion so that they

can concentrate during the discussion and
contribute to achieving the group goal. An
effective GD typically begins with a purpose
stated by the initiator.
Motivated Interaction: When there is a good level

of motivation among the members, they learn to

subordinate the personal interests to the group
interest and the discussions are more fruitful.
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 Logical

Presentation:
Participants
decide how they will organise the
presentation of individual views, how
an exchange of the views will take
place, and how they will reach a group
consensus. If the mode of interaction is
not decided, few of the members in the
group may dominate the discussion
and thus will make the entire process
meaningless.

 Cordial

Atmosphere: Development of a
cooperative,
friendly,
and
cordial
atmosphere
avoid
the
confrontation
between the group members.

Effective Communication Skills: The success

of a GD depends on an effective use of

communication techniques. Like any other
oral communication, clear pronunciation,
simple language, right pitch are the prerequisites
of
a
GD.
Non-verbal
communication has to be paid attention to
since means like body language convey a lot
in any communication.

 Participation by all candidates: When all

the members participate, the GD

becomes effective. Members need to
encourage each other in the GD.
Leadership

Skills:
Qualities
like
initiation,
logical
presentation,
encouraging all the group members to
participate, summarizing the discussion
reflect the leadership qualities.

GROUP DISCUSSION STRATEGIES

Getting the GD started

Contributing systematically
Creating a Friendly Cooperative
Atmosphere
Promoting Participation
Handling Conflict
Effective Closure

Getting the GD started

No elected or formal leader in GD

Anyone can take initiative and show
leadership skills
Opening lines should be assertive.

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Contributing Systematically
The success of a GD depends on systematic
contribution by each member of the group.
The contributions must reflect the depth
understanding and knowledge of the subject
as well as participants ability to analyse it.
Each participant must see the topic from
his/her
perspective
so
that
his/her
background give it a new interpretation.

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Creating a Friendly
Atmosphere
Creative

an atmosphere conducive to
positive discussion is the responsibility of
each member of the group.
Although a GD is a serious and formal
occasion, there is no need to make it too
serious and boring.
It
is
desirable
to
make
it
an
enjoyable experience for all.

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Promoting Optimal Participation

No

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one
should
monopolise
the
discussion.
No one should all the talking because
the purpose of GD is to exchange views
and not to listen to just one person.
No one should stray from the topic.
Talkative members should be controlled.
Reticent
members
should
be
encouraged.

Handling Conflict
Do not get entangled into web of words

and land into argument.

Maintain a friendly attitude.
Avoid conflicts between persons and NOT
between the ideas.
Clarify conflicting statements given by
group members so that they do not lead to
personal differences.

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Effective Closure

In the absence of a designated leader,

the group is likely to continue until the

examiner announces that the time is
over.
If conclusion is not unanimous then it
should be at least positive.
Dont suggest/speak once the closure
has been announced.

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GROUP INTERACTION STRATEGIES

Exchanging opinions

Asking for opinions, giving opinions, supporting

opinions, balancing points of view, agreeing,
and disagreeing
Exchanging suggestions & proposals

Requesting and making suggestions, accepting

and rejecting suggestions

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ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP
DISCUSSION
In organisation, GDs are mainly used for group

decision making.
Members of the interacting group take the
responsibility of explaining their ideas.
Following techniques are used for organisational
GD:

Brainstormi
ng

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Nominal Group
Technique

Delphi
Technique

Brainstorming
It is a method for generating a

variety of ideas and perspectives.

It is as uncritical as possible
because criticism inhibits the free
flow of ideas.
The more diverse the group, the
more likely
it is to generate
unexpected insights and ideas.
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Nominal Group Technique

This

technique restricts discussion

during the decision making process and
hence it is termed nominal group.
All group members are physically
present but they operate independently.
All the members record their ideas
separately and the decision begins.
The final decision is determined by the
idea with the highest aggregate ranking.
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Delphi Technique
It

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is a more complex and timeconsuming

alternative
in
group
discussion making.
It is similar to the nominal group
technique except that it does not require
the physical presence of the group
members.
The problem is identified and the
members are asked to provide the
potential
solutions
through
questionnaires.
The results are compiled at a central

GROUP DISCUSSION AS PART OF A

SELECTION PROCESS
This process is used as a tool for judging the
personality of candidates, their communication
skills, knowledge, leadership, and their ability to
work as a team.
The four major components generally evaluated in
GD are:
Knowledge
Communication skills Verbal/Nonverbal
Team spirit
Leadership skills
Listening Skills
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Tips for Success in a GD

Be thorough with current issues.
Always enter the room with a piece of

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paper and a pen.

Listen to the topic carefully.
Jot down as many ideas as possible in
the first few minutes.
Try to dissect the topic and explore the
underlying causes or consequences.
Organise the ideas before speaking.

 Speaking first is a high-risk, high-

return strategy. Hence, speak first

only if there is something sensible
and substantial to say.
Try to contribute meaningfully and
significantly every time you speak.
Do not speak just for the sake of
saying something.
Identify supporters and opponents
and allow the supporters to augment
your
ideas.
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 Maintain eye contact while speaking

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and listening.
Do
not
indulge
in
parallel
conversations.
Use tact and wit. If you must use
humour, do so judiciously so as not to
hurt others or deviate from the topic.
Display a spirit of cooperation.
If things get chaotic, take the
initiative to restore order by providing
a fresh direction to the discussion.

QUERIES???

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