How to summarize a discussion

At the end of the discussion, when the topic has been discussed for a reasonable length of time, try to summarize the discussion. Giving up a good summary to the discussion will give you more credit.

When giving a summary, following things should be kept in mind..

We should cover all these points

• The problem in brief

• Majority point of view

• Dissenting viewpoints

Whether the group has been able to reach a consensus or not

Do not get upset if the group is unable to reach consensus. In a group of about eight persons, all with different points of view on a controversial subject, no one expects that a consensus will be reached in half an hour. All that is required is that an attempt should have been made to reach consensus.

Reaching consensus will depend on the topic itself. But if the group is so creative and able, reaching a consensus on a double sided coin is also not a different task. But the topic also determines the flow of discussion. We should not bother about the topic. We should present our points clearly and respond to others points without deviating from our stand.

Usually a discussion is summarized by a single person but in some cases there may be effort of more than one person to bring the discussion to an end, especially when the topics are controversial or   if they are having equally strong points on both sides. But we should always try to reach consensus.

Attempt to reach consensus is necessary because when a manager works with other persons with different interests and temperaments, some of them may not agree with a particular point of view. Yet discussions arrived at are deemed to be group decisions and the group has to accept responsibility for the same even if one or two of the members may have dissented.

Attempt to reach consensus is treated as an attempt to work in a team..!!