For any candidate, a group discussion helps test his/her communication & teamwork skills. It involves discussing a certain topic with other candidates with similar educational qualifications and experience. A good performance in a group discussion helps a candidate to get noticed among their peers & seniors while improving their public speaking skills. 

A group discussion also helps in the employment & recognition of different skills & perspectives, creating an inclusive working environment. Hence, group discussions can be powerful learning experiences for any individual out there while also having the chance to explore new ideas & value the contribution made by others.

What is a group discussion?

A group discussion can be defined as a proper discussion between a certain group of individuals or participants on a particular topic or subject. The participants discuss the subject by presenting various opinions, facts, and conclusions. Employers typically utilize such a process to screen individuals applying for employment in their establishments and assess their soft skills. 

Usually, a group discussion starts with an introduction of the moderators or panelists, who are responsible for providing the instructions. The group of individuals who are to discuss the topic will get around ten to fifteen minutes to think and prepare for the discussion. Then, they will be given a limited time frame (let's say thirty minutes) to discuss the topic. 

It should be known that the time limit can vary from one group discussion to another. The panelists will use an evaluation sheet to judge each individual's performance based on how well they present their facts, views, and conclusions, among other things. 

Types of group discussions

1. Factual group discussions

2. Opinion-based group discussions

3. Case study-based group discussions

4. Abstract group discussions

Alternatives to group discussions

Some useful alternatives for group discussions are as follows:

1. Go-round

This is an alternative strategy where everyone is allowed to speak or share his/her opinions on the given issue. Based on the group's overall size, the ideal way to carry out this procedure would be to set a specific time limit for every participant's contribution. 

2. World cafe

In this procedure, small groups of participants are formed around tables, where everyone has the opportunity to discuss the matter at hand and even write down their thoughts so that others can review them later. After the discussion is carried out for a specific time frame, the groups will then split up and shift to new tables. Hence, quick pollination of ideas is possible via this method. 

3. Fishbowl

In this method, two to six participants will debate or discuss with each other expansively while the other participants will view the same from the outside. As a result, participants can obtain a new perspective on the issue that is being discussed. 

4. Small group work

Simply splitting a larger group into smaller groups will allow the group to be able to work on multiple tasks at once. For instance, if the larger group was to work on two tasks, then the same group can be split into two smaller groups so that each group can work on each task simultaneously. 

5. Walking meetings

The walking meetings method is a small variation of the small group work method in which small groups of participants walk together while discussing the topic at the same time. Such activity is great for topics that require further discussion so that proper decisions could be undertaken. 

6. Individual reflection

In this method, participants are asked to take a few minutes and write their views on a particular topic, on a piece of paper. Such a strategy can be used as a brainstorming session and later on such notes will get reviewed by the entire group. 

7. Role-plays

To obtain a deeper insight into the topic being discussed, participants can participate in a role-play process where they will experience two sides of the story rather than gaining a single point of view. Once done, statements and arguments can be formed to match. 

8. Virtual meetings

These days, with the help of teleconferencing & video chat, real-time communication can be done with your team, anytime, anywhere. Hence, a huge chunk of precious time will be saved since there’s no need to meet each other in person. Virtual meetings tend to be more flexible & quicker than usual office group gatherings. 

9. Focused meetings

Whenever a meeting is necessary, a short, structured meeting where each member of the team will give a brief statement regarding his/her biggest concern/goal for the day. Such an alternative to group meetings can help focus energy and give teams the ultimate chance to provide insights without slogging through a tedious, long afternoon meeting. 

10. Status reports

Instead of calling your team members together, requesting status updates from every individual can be convenient. Such a process will turn out to be a far more efficient method for taking feedback and enabling decision-makers to know more detail from every individual. 

11. Brainstorming board

It should be realized that idea generation doesn't always have to be done in person. There will be certain team members who can experience their best thoughts when they aren't on the spot. Thus, an online brainstorming board can be created via Trello, which will be accessible to all the team members. A simple whiteboard will be enough for offline use cases. 

12. Instant messaging

Instant messaging will be able to provide you with the same benefits as real-time communication, without any physical presence. Moreover, unavailable team members can get up to speed when they become available again. Group chats with the key contributors can be made so that the conversation can be started. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, while group discussions are undoubtedly beneficial for honing communication, teamwork, and public speaking skills, exploring alternatives such as Simpliaxis can further enrich collaborative endeavors. From structured methodologies like go-rounds, world cafes, and fishbowl discussions to virtual meetings, focused sessions, and instant messaging, each alternative, including Simpliaxis, provides unique advantages tailored to specific needs and contexts. By embracing a diverse range of discussion techniques, individuals enhance their skills and foster cooperation, communication, and participation. Such inclusive environments promote the exploration of new ideas and contribute to effective decision-making processes, ultimately driving sustainable growth and success within organizations