tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post1605696263696418625..comments2023-12-14T11:26:51.959-05:00Comments on Life After Jerusalem: Taking the Orals: The Group ExerciseDiggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03856750834804127824noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post-72591810459629185562009-11-06T18:27:56.145-05:002009-11-06T18:27:56.145-05:00Thank you for the advice! I will keep this in mind...Thank you for the advice! I will keep this in mind when I someday go to the OA. Your smackdown of the group bully is hilarious and awesome.Saffron Monsoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04521974511246810618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post-72782628037262561692009-11-06T14:50:38.066-05:002009-11-06T14:50:38.066-05:00Really excellent and timely post. I've linked...Really excellent and timely post. I've linked to you here: http://xcalling-a-spade-a-spadex.blogspot.com/2009/11/advice-on-oral-exam.htmlMatt Keenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12763775457513623087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post-43531556346702935402009-11-06T12:33:50.551-05:002009-11-06T12:33:50.551-05:00Thanks for your advice. I'm taking my OA at t...Thanks for your advice. I'm taking my OA at the end of the month and am looking for all the guidance I can get! Do you have any thoughts about suggesting the use of objective criteria during the discussion phase? Do you think that the risk (time-eating discussions over the criteria, if any, to be used) likely outweighs the benefit (using a common measure to evaluate projects)?Carlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post-11743055163621584622009-11-06T12:20:07.589-05:002009-11-06T12:20:07.589-05:00Good write up, and I like the telling anecdote at ...Good write up, and I like the telling anecdote at the end!<br /><br />I passed the OA earlier this year. To me, the key to the Group Exercise is about finding balances. You need to find the right balance between acting as a "type A" leader and a "type B" group participant. You need to find the right balance between advocating for your project and reaching a group consensus. You need to find the right balance between making your opinions known and taking time to draw in the quite members.<br /><br />Of course, how you act depends entirely on the group dynamic you have. Because this is so unpredictable (though you are correct that FS types tend to be high achievers), it is a waste of time, in my opinion, to come with prepared "pat phrases" to plug in. It is far more effective to try and "read" your group during the first 60 seconds of the discussion and respond according to the dynamic before you. This is why I think the best prep is finding a group of FSO-aspirants with which to practice.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04566997520910081813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31417199.post-31076116488505176462009-11-06T11:11:03.390-05:002009-11-06T11:11:03.390-05:00Absolutely - great post! My score on the group ex...Absolutely - great post! My score on the group exercise was the highest I got and the feedback was enlightening. The scorers for my group gave much more weight to management of group dynamics than to how we sold the project (as you'd expect with a group exercise). I can't echo enough how important it is to engage members of your group - to solve problems, to draw out folks who are talking less and to keep on task. It doesn't diminish you at all to encourage others to speak. Ask good questions, be pleasant and pass. After all, that's what you want!meridithhttp://backlist.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com