Tips for Discussion Group Leaders

Once the program begins, each discussion group is assigned a leader who serves as the facilitator for each case study. Here are some tips for leading an insightful and productive exchange.

• Before you begin, make sure that all members understand the value of the discussion group process. You may find it helpful to have a brief conversation about the Discussion Group Best Practices listed above.
• Think of yourself as a discussion facilitator. Your goal is to keep the group focused on moving through the case questions. Don't feel that you need to master all the content more thoroughly than the other group members do.
• Guide the group through the study questions for each assignment. Keep track of time so that your group can discuss all the cases and readings, instead of being bogged down in the first case of the morning or afternoon.
• The study questions are designed to keep the group focused on the key issues that will contribute to an effective discussion in the larger classroom meeting. Don’t let your peers stray too far into anecdotes or issues that aren't relevant.
• If a subset of your living group appears to be dominating the discussion, encourage the less vocal members to participate. They'll be more apt to speak up if you ask them to share their unique perspectives on the topic at hand.
• If you have questions about how to handle a specific situation that may arise in your group, please reach out to the faculty or staff for assistance. We’re here to help you get the most out of your group discussions.