The art of the group exercise

Many interviews and graduate assessment centres these days conduct group exercises where 4 or more people are placed under observation and given a flip board and a task. The task is often something completely disconnected with the role being advertised, or indeed anybody’s background such as ‘draw up a plan to colonise Mars’. The purpose of the exercise is not to demonstrate how much you know about the subject, but rather to show how you work as part of a team.

For excellent resources on teamwork, take a look at Teamtechnology.

For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume you're being interviewed for a leadership role of some sort. The rest of what follows might not apply for other roles, but here’s just a few of the things the observers will be looking for

1. Contribution

It’s important you’re enthusiastic and contribute to the activity, but don’t dominate. Make suggestions, listen to others, and use positive body language. Don’t cross your arms, glare at people or snort in derision is a good start. Lean in to the table slightly, and use good eye contact with all your team mates.

2. Enabling others

There’s usually someone in the group that is too shy or quiet to speak. Often these people have the best ideas. Make sure you stop and ask that person for their opinion. Try bring them into the conversation. You will be seen as someone who listens and values the opinions of others.

3. Collaboration

Work with the team rather than against them. If you disagree with someone, you should make the point if you feel it’s important, but not get stuck in a rut over it. Time won’t allow it, and you will appear inflexible and too rigid in your thinking.

4. Innovation

If you have ideas, make sure they’re out there and considered. Leaders are usually free thinking and able to think of a variety of ways of addressing a task. Don’t be too possessive of your ideas though. If people don’t agree, don’t get defensive or aggressive. Roll with it.

5. Leadership

You don’t need to be the scribe or the time keeper. In fact, people who volunteer immediately for these roles are often not seen as leaders. However, you should have your wits about you and be aware of the time remaining. Refocus the group if they’re spending too long on an issue. If you are the scribe, make sure your notes reflect what’s being discussed and not your agenda.

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