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Several Heads Are Better Than One.

The quote that represents this chapter reflects the fact that people tend to make the best decisions when they share and discuss their ideas. In school, the workplace, and your community, you will inevitably find yourself participating in group discussions and presenting your group’s conclusions.

An effective group discussion requires skillful leadership and constructive participation. The leader must manage key elements of group dynamics, including the flow of the discussion. He or she has to ensure that all perspectives receive consideration, encourage participation, keep the group on task, and minimize interpersonal conflict. In terms of group members, the most effective focus on task- and maintenance-oriented roles and avoid self-oriented ones. They actively share their ideas, consider one another’s viewpoints, constructively participate, and help the group reach a sound decision—perhaps through the five-step reflective-thinking process. These steps include defining and analyzing a problem, establishing criteria for solving the problem, generating potential solutions, and selecting the best solution from the list.

Groups may present their findings in a symposium, during which each member presents part of the group’s message. At other times, the group may use a panel discussion format, in which there is less formal structure and more give-and-take among members. In either case, thorough preparation will allow each member to know who will present which topics.

If you’re called on to deliver a presentation for your entire group, preparation will again help ensure that you’re accurately reflecting the group’s decisions, opinions, or findings. Be sure to get input from other group members while preparing the presentation, and acknowledge other members’ viewpoints as you’re giving the speech.