LEADERSHIP SKILLS

LEADERSHIP SKILLS :

Leadership is the process of influencing and supporting others to work enthusiastically towards achieving given objective. In the group discussion situation, the objective is to have smooth and orderly discussion. Since a group which is going to discuss a topic or case is leaderless, anyone can emerge as a leader.

In such a situation, a person who is perceived by others as having the ability to take the group in the direction of achieving its objective is automatically treated a leader. Your following actions will enable you to emerge a leader:

1. See that the group is not deviating from its norms. Norms are the ways of behaving according to standards set by the group either explicitly or implicitly. In group discussion situation, norms are implicit which ensure smooth and orderly participation of all. If a group member deviates from norms like criticizing others, denying opportunity to others to speak, abrupting unnecessarily, ask him gently about this deviation.

2. Some group members tend to feel shy and they do not speak unless they are encouraged to do so. If this situation arises, advise the concerned members to speak and appeal the other members to listen to them attentively. It is better that you say, ‘Let Mr. ….express his views on the issue.

3. if the time or group discussion is nearing to end, attract the attention of the members and offers yourself to summarize what has been discussed so far.
Sometimes question arise in the minds of many candidates: which of these qualities are more important than others to show during the group discussion process for being successful? From the evaluators’ point of view, all the qualities are equally important as the assign equal weightage to all the five skills.

After understanding the skills relevant for group discussion, you can proceed for preparing yourself for group discussion. You can prepare either for topic-based group discussion or case based group discussion. However, before choosing an alternative, be sure which group discussion mode will be adopted by the organization concerned.

For this purpose, look at the past practices of the organization. In any case, preparation is required because in its absence, you may not be able to show your leadership skills during the group discussion process to that extent which you wish. Here, preparation guidelines for both modes have been given.

UNDERSTAND SKILLS TO BE EVALUATED

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