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The Discussion Group Experience

The Discussion Group Experience
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Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
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An inside view of Executive Education, including what’s happening on-campus, faculty insights, and more!
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Play video
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Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Baker library peak and cupola

Leadership Insights Blog

An inside view of Executive Education, including what’s happening on-campus, faculty insights, and more!
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Overview

What makes the discussion group experience so transformational? The world-class business leaders who attend our Executive Education programs! For that reason, the time you spend in discussion with your group can contribute significantly to your learning experience at Harvard Business School.
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Your discussion group will typically consist of seven or eight peers. After completing your individual case preparation, you'll meet with your group to discuss the day's assignment. This not only broadens your personal understanding, but also increases your confidence in sharing new ideas in larger classroom discussions.

Overview Dropdown up

Overview Dropdown down

What makes the discussion group experience so transformational? The world-class business leaders who attend our Executive Education programs! For that reason, the time you spend in discussion with your group can contribute significantly to your learning experience at Harvard Business School.
Your discussion group will typically consist of seven or eight peers. After completing your individual case preparation, you'll meet with your group to discuss the day's assignment. This not only broadens your personal understanding, but also increases your confidence in sharing new ideas in larger classroom discussions.

BenefitsCollapse All

Gain a better understanding of the case materialsGain a better understanding of the case materials
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Being challenged by peers with different experiences and viewpoints will broaden your perspective and deepen your confidence.
Practice teaching and learning from othersPractice teaching and learning from others
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Actively listening, questioning, and contributing will improve your effectiveness and the discussion group's productivity.
"Test-market" ideas and opinions before class"Test-market" ideas and opinions before class
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Exploring the case with your discussion group beforehand will increase your comfort level when sharing in the classroom.
Get to know a handful of people more deeplyGet to know a handful of people more deeply
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Bonding with the members of your discussion group can lead to personal and professional relationships that last a lifetime.

Benefits Dropdown up

Benefits Dropdown down

Gain a better understanding of the case materials

Being challenged by peers with different experiences and viewpoints will broaden your perspective and deepen your confidence.

Practice teaching and learning from others

Actively listening, questioning, and contributing will improve your effectiveness and the discussion group's productivity.

"Test-market" ideas and opinions before class

Exploring the case with your discussion group beforehand will increase your comfort level when sharing in the classroom.

Get to know a handful of people more deeply

Bonding with the members of your discussion group can lead to personal and professional relationships that last a lifetime.

Best PracticesCollapse All

Designate one discussion leaderDesignate one discussion leader
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We carefully assemble each group and randomly designate a discussion leader. Serving as a facilitator rather than a CEO, the discussion leader moves the group through the questions that accompany each case.
Ensure 100 percent attendanceEnsure 100 percent attendance
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Each group is designed to be a microcosm of the entire class. To ensure an optimal experience, it's imperative that every participant be committed to actively listening and engaging in every discussion.
Expect 100 percent participationExpect 100 percent participation
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All group members share responsibility for the content of each discussion. Rather than relying on a "subject matter expert," a "non-expert" often will ask an insightful question that leads the discussion in an unexpected direction.
Encourage challenging viewpointsEncourage challenging viewpoints
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The most effective discussion groups welcome diverse perspectives. When other group members challenge their viewpoints, participants often find that their initial understanding of the material is significantly enhanced.
Stay focused and use time wiselyStay focused and use time wisely
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During a heated discussion, it's easy to get off track or filibuster an idea, but two-way discussions are always the most productive. Designate a timekeeper and make sure that everyone has an opportunity to share.
Accept responsibility to learn and teachAccept responsibility to learn and teach
Dropdown down
Each participant will have different strengths and weaknesses. Even if you're unsure about a particular reading, your thoughtful questions and tentative ideas will contribute to the learning of others.

Best Practices Dropdown up

Best Practices Dropdown down

Designate one discussion leader

We carefully assemble each group and randomly designate a discussion leader. Serving as a facilitator rather than a CEO, the discussion leader moves the group through the questions that accompany each case.

Ensure 100 percent attendance

Each group is designed to be a microcosm of the entire class. To ensure an optimal experience, it's imperative that every participant be committed to actively listening and engaging in every discussion.

Expect 100 percent participation

All group members share responsibility for the content of each discussion. Rather than relying on a "subject matter expert," a "non-expert" often will ask an insightful question that leads the discussion in an unexpected direction.

Encourage challenging viewpoints

The most effective discussion groups welcome diverse perspectives. When other group members challenge their viewpoints, participants often find that their initial understanding of the material is significantly enhanced.

Stay focused and use time wisely

During a heated discussion, it's easy to get off track or filibuster an idea, but two-way discussions are always the most productive. Designate a timekeeper and make sure that everyone has an opportunity to share.

Accept responsibility to learn and teach

Each participant will have different strengths and weaknesses. Even if you're unsure about a particular reading, your thoughtful questions and tentative ideas will contribute to the learning of others.
Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on the first day?
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Most programs begin with registration, followed by an opening session and a dinner. If your travel plans necessitate late arrival, please be sure to notify us so that alternate registration arrangements can be made for you. Please note the following about registration:

HBS campus programs – Registration takes place in the Chao Center.

India programs – Registration takes place outside the classroom.

Other off-campus programs – Registration takes place in the designated facility.

What happens in class if nobody talks?
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Professors are here to push everyone to learn, but not to embarrass anyone. If the class is quiet, they'll often ask a participant with experience in the industry in which the case is set to speak first. This is done well in advance so that person can come to class prepared to share. Trust the process. The more open you are, the more willing you’ll be to engage, and the more alive the classroom will become.

Does everyone take part in "role-playing"?
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Professors often encourage participants to take opposing sides and then debate the issues, often taking the perspective of the case protagonists or key decision makers in the case.

Play video
Play video
Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Program Finder
Baker library peak and cupola

Leadership Insights Blog

An inside view of Executive Education, including what’s happening on-campus, faculty insights, and more!
Read More
Play video
Play video
Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Baker library peak and cupola

Leadership Insights Blog

An inside view of Executive Education, including what’s happening on-campus, faculty insights, and more!
Read More

View Frequently Asked Questions

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