Group Discussion is a
kind of ‘ Personality Test ‘. Various aspects of the participant’s personality are
evaluated in Group Discussion. The participant in Group Discussion has to
play various roles such as Initiator, Informer, Coordinator and Orienteer. He will have to play these roles simultaneously or alternatively. In this way, the
participant’s mental potentialities, knowledge, communication skills and
leadership ability are judged in Group Discussion.
1) Initiator :
A good candidate should be able to initiate the discussion.
Generally, there is no group leader but some confident participant can guide
the group to begin and complete the conversation. In that way, he plays the
role of an initiator. This role shows leadership qualities of the participant.
2) Informer :
A candidate participating in Group Discussion should have enough
knowledge. Only then, he can provide information on any given topic to the
group. Such candidate shows his knowledge in Group discussion.
3) Illustrator :
The participant should be able to illustrate his point by citing
different examples related to the topic. If he finds some topics expressed by
another member as a far-fetched, he should try to relate that topic or that
point with the given topic of discussion by giving various illustrations. While
doing so he makes the discussion relevant. At the same time, he develops his
own opinion. The participant has to prove his knowledge to acquire the position
of illustrator.
4) Coordinator :
The coordinator brings harmony in the discussion process. He
tries to bring together the members having different point of views and make
them participate in a disciplined manner. Sometimes, he will gather the diverse
points and relate them to main topic. In this case, a good communication skill
is necessary. On the part of the participant to be the best coordinator he
keeps all the members together without hurting the feelings of other members.
5) Orienteer :
Orienteer will have to show the skill of organization as well as
leadership quality. While playing this role he has to keep the group directed
towards its goal. Such candidate has the potential in organizing the group.
Though the participant has to play these roles but they are
not assigned at the beginning to anybody. It is through the Group Discussion
the supervisor observes that which participant has played which role and
evaluation is on the basis of performance throughout the discussion.
