“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." ― Desmond Tutu

1. WHAT
IS A
GROUP?
A G R O U P M AY B E D E F I N E D A S T H R E E O R M O R E I N D I V I D U A L S W H O A F F I L I AT E ,
I N T E R A C T, O R C O O P E R AT E I N A F A M I L I A L , S O C I A L , O R W O R K C O N T E X T.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Define groups and teams.
• Discuss how primary and secondary groups meet our interpersonal needs.
• Discuss how groups tend to limit their own size and create group norms.
• Identify the typical stages in the life cycle of a group.
• Describe different types of group members and group member roles.
• Identify and describe how to implement seven steps for group problem solving.

3. Group communication may be
defined as the exchange of
information with those who are alike
culturally, linguistically, and/or
geographically
Group members may be known by their
use of specialized language or jargon:
Example: Someone in information technology may use the term “server” in reference to the Internet,
whereas someone in the food service industry may use “server” to refer to the worker who takes
customer orders in a restaurant.
Regardless of how the group defines itself, and regardless of the extent to which its borders are
porous or permeable, a group recognizes itself as a group. Humans naturally make groups a part
of their context or environment.

4. Groups can also be
defined, from a
developmental viewpoint,
by the relationships
within them. Groups can
be discussed in terms of
their relationship to the
individual and the degree
to which they meet
interpersonal needs.
Relationships are part of any group, and can be
described in terms of:
Status,
power,
control,
role,
function,
viewpoint. Group are classified into two:
Primary groups meet most, if not
all, of one’s needs.
Groups that meet some, but not
all, needs are called secondary
groups. Secondary groups often
include work groups, where the
goal is to complete a task or
solve a problem.

5. GROUP LIFE CYCLES AND MEMBER ROLES
• Groups grow together and eventually come apart. People join groups and others leave. This
dynamic changes and transforms the very nature of the group. Group socialization involves
how the group members interact with one another and form relationships.
• In order to better understand group development and its life cycle, many researchers have
described the universal stages and phases of groups.
• While there are modern interpretations of these stages, most draw from the model proposed
by Bruce Tuckman.
• This model, "Tuckman’s Linear Model of Group Development", specifies the usual order of
the phases of group development, and allows us to predict several stages we can anticipate
as we join a new group.
Groups are dynamic systems in constant change.
Forming -> Storming -> Norming -> Performing -> Adjourning
Forming: Members
come together, learn
about each other, and
determine the purpose
of the group.
Storming: Members engage in
more direct communication
and get to know each other.
Conflicts between group
members will often arise during
this stage.
Norming: Members establish
spoken or unspoken rules
about how they communicate
and work. Status, rank, and
roles in the group are
established.
Performing:
Members fulfill
their purpose
and reach their
goal.
Adjourning:
Members
leave the
group.

6. Life Cycle of Member Roles
roles, proposed by Richard
Moreland and John Levine
1.Potential
member: Curiosity
interest.
1.New
the group but still an
outsider, and
unknown.
1.Full Member: Knows
the "rules" and is
looked to for
leadership.
1.Divergent
Member: Focuses on
differences
1.Marginal
Member: No longer
involved.
1.Ex-Member: No
longer considered a
member.

7. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MEMBER
ROLES
POSITIVE ROLES
• Initiator-Coordinator: Suggests new ideas or
new ways of looking at the problem.
• Elaborator: Builds on ideas and provides
examples.
• Coordinator: Brings ideas, information and
suggestions together.
• Evaluator-Critic: Evaluates ideas and
provides constructive criticism.
• Recorder: Records ideas, examples.
suggestions, and critiques.
NEGATIVE ROLES
• Dominator: Dominates discussion, not
allowing others to take their turn.
• Recognition Seeker: Relates discussion to
their accomplishments, seeks attention.
• Special-Interest Pleader: Relates discussion
to special interest or personal agenda.
• Blocker: Blocks attempts at consensus
consistently.
• Joker or Clown: Seeks attention through
humor and distracts group members.

8. If you are member of
a group that needs to
solve a problem and
don’t know where to
start, consider
these seven simple
steps in a format
adapted from Scott
McLean:
Define the problem.
Analyse the problem.
Establish criteria.
Consider possible solutions.
Decide on a solution.
Implement the solution.
Follow up on the solution.

9. THE KEY POINTS
• A group may be defined as three or more individuals who affiliate, interact, or cooperate in a familial, social, or work
context.
• Group members may be known by their use of specialized language or jargon.
• As a skilled business communicator, learning more about groups, group dynamics, management, and leadership will
serve you well.
• Groups can also be defined, from a developmental viewpoint, by the relationships within them.
• Primary groups meet most, if not all, of one’s needs.
• Groups that meet some, but not all, needs are called secondary groups. Secondary groups often include work groups,
where the goal is to complete a task or solve a problem.
Groups are dynamic systems in constant change.
• Model proposed by Bruce Tuckman: In order to better understand group development and its life cycle, many
researchers have described the universal stages and phases of groups.
Forming -> Storming -> Norming -> Performing -> Adjourning
• Regardless of the problem, having the resources of a group can be an advantage, as different people can contribute
different ideas for how to reach a satisfactory solution.
• If you are member of a group that needs to solve a problem and don’t know where to start, consider these seven
simple steps in a format adapted from Scott McLean:
1. Define the problem.
2. Analyze the problem.
3. Establish criteria.
4. Consider possible solutions.
5. Decide on a solution.
6. Implement the solution.
7. Follow up on the solution.

10. GROUP
DISCUSSIONS
• Describe the importance of
group discussions.
• Describe what group
discussions are and are not.
• List and explain the evaluation
criteria for group discussion.
• Describe the steps that ensure
success in group discussions.
Learning
Outcomes

11. THE KEY POINTS
• A group interactive selection process, which the employers use to gauge certain personality
traits of prospective candidates.
• Some expected personality traits:
- Leadership skills,
- Group management/team working skills,
- Communication skills,
- Reasoning ability, analytical ability,
- Logical and coherent thinking,
- Adaptability and flexibility,
- Positive mental outlook,
- Decent and professional dressing/grooming sense,
- Assertive body language,
- Projection of a distinctively likeable personality.
• Four Basic Components of a Group Discussion:
• Leadership; traits include initiative, decision-making, planning and vision.
• Knowledge; implies thorough subject knowledge, keeping abreast of current affairs and technical advancements.
• Communication skills; imply active listening, fluency, clarity, coherence, diction, enunciation and effectiveness.
• Personality manifestation; is perceived from soft skills, body language, positive outlook and pleasing mannerism.

12. Digressive, not
progressive
Cannot summarise or
conclude
•Neither shares views
nor is open to
contrary view-points.
Distractive body
language
•Indifference,
spectator behaviour.
Self-centered, fails to
involve everyone
•Nervous and talks
too little.
Anxious to talk too
much
•Tendency to
sermonise.

13. Ensuring Success in Group Discussion
•Initiate and
generate the
discussion.
Be
Assertive
(not
aggressiv
e)
•Avoid
Blocking.
Be a
Patient
but
Active
Listener
•Use
Parliame
ntary
Languag
e.
Be
Analytica
l and
Fact-
Oriented
Seek
Clarificati
ons and
Accept
Criticism
•Interfere
forcefully
but
politely,
when the
situation
demands
.
•Avoid
Attention
-Seeking.
Maximiz
e
Participat
ion
Respect
Other
Speakers
Show
Leadersh
ip
Ability/H
armonize
•Don't
act as a
mere
facilitator
.
Avoid
individua
l
conversa
tions
•Be
Precise.
Summari
ze
•Maintain
Eye
Contact.
Control
distractiv
e/negativ
e body
language
•Smile, exhibit
a light-
hearted frame
of mind.

14. SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR GROUP
DISCUSSIONS
• Read with interest and purpose.
• Keep listening.
• Listen with an open mind.
• Learn to develop a thick-skin.
• Look for and generate creative ideas.
• Keep honing your communication skills.
• Monitor your performance using feedback
from friends or from own video recording.
• Do not wait to change your personality once
you get a particular job, assume the
personality even before!
• Go with the winning attitude!
• Maintain eye contact throughout the group
discussion.
• Avoid distractive and negative body
language.
• Biting nails, shaking legs, along with nose
picking, playing with pens/stationary.
• Do not lean back in a chair with hands
clasped behind head (indicates
arrogance/disinterest).
• Don't be aggressive, be assertive!
• To avoid getting too emotional in group
discussion have enough practice at home.
• Form small, like-minded groups in colleges.
• Be the one to take such initiative.
• Do not prepare for a group discussion the
day before, prepare as and when possible

15. THANK YOU