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GROUP DISCUSSION (GD)

Finding a job now is a blood sport, it's a competition. Most companies today are very clear about the
skills and knowledge that they look for in a candidate while screening and they employ many procedures
in the selection process. Some of them are Written Test, Aptitude Test, Group Discussion, Face to Face
Interview and so on. However, Group Discussion or GD serves as an important criteria in the selection
process.

What is group discussion?

A Group discussion is an effective way to look at an issue from various angles. When a topic is discussed
in a group, all the participants come out with their own ideas. It is easier to come to a conclusion as we
get the overall view of a problem. Recently GD has emerged as a tool to measure one's behavioral,
emotional and psychological attributes. Group discussion can access one's ability to meaningfully
contribute towards the team's goal and the way he can work under stress. Therefore it is a part of
selection process in various companies and institutes.
Group Discussion is a process where exchange of ideas and opinions are debated upon. A typical GD
comprises of a small group of candidates. Each group is then given a topic for discussion. The topic can
be general or specific. Example: ―Kashmir Conflict‖ or just a phrase saying "Where there's a will there's a
way".
The skills that are usually assessed in a Group Discussion are:
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership Skills
Motivational Skills
Team Building Skills
Tolerance
Clarity over Ambiguity
Divergent Thinking
Listening skills
Presentation Skills
Analytical / Logical skills
The four main areas tested in a GD are:
i. Content
ii. Communication skills
iii. Group dynamics
iv. Leadership

Content
Content is a combination of knowledge and the ability to create coherent, logical arguments on the basis
of the knowledge. Merely memorizing facts is pointless. One needs an in-depth understanding of various
issues as well as the ability to analyze the topic and build arguments. For example, take the topic ―Are
peace talks between India and Pakistan useless or useful?‖ The candidate should be clearly aware that
this is not a test of patriotism. Nor should he or she forget that the purpose of the discussion is getting
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into a good institute or a company, and that his or her influence on India's foreign policy is zilch. So, an
emotional response would, in all probability, get the candidate disqualified. Go for a balanced response
like, "Even though little has resulted from talks, it is certainly good to see the talks continue." It should be
remembered that one‘s opinion does not matter. The depth of knowledge and logical analysis one shows
is critical.

ii. Communication skills

Communication is a two-way process, and the role of the listener is critical.
The listener has his own interpretation of what you say. Unless you listen to him, you cannot
figure out whether he or she has understood you.
Unless you listen, the points you make may not fit in with points made by others. It is easy for an
experienced evaluator (moderator) to realise you aren't listening.
Besides listening, you also need the ability to:
Express your ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Build on others' points.
Sum up the discussion made by the entire group.

iii. Group dynamics

As mentioned before, a GD is a formal peer group situation and tests your behaviour as well as your
influence on the group. Formal language and mutual respect are obvious requirements. In addition, you
need to have:
Willingness to listen and discuss various points of view. Do not take strong views in the
beginning itself; try and analyse the pros and cons of a situation.
Learn to disagree politely, if required. In fact, it is far better to put forward your point of view
without specifically saying 'I disagree' or 'You're wrong'.
Show appreciation for good points made by others. You can make a positive contribution by
agreeing to and expanding an argument made by someone else.
Size the opportunity to make a summary near the end or, even better, a part summary. Partial
agreement or part consensus is a sign of the group's progress. Complete agreement is impossible
in the timeframe allotted.

iv) Leadership
One of the most common misconceptions about leadership is that it is all about controlling the group.
However, for the GD‘s we are talking about, leadership is all about giving direction to the group in terms
of content. It is about initiating the discussion and suggesting a path on which the group can continue
the discussion. A good leader is one who allows others to express their views and channels the discussion
to a probable decision or conclusion on the given topic.

Types of GD’s
i. Topic-based
a) Knowledge intensive: Here, the background knowledge of a subject is required for effective
participation (for example: ―Should India go in for full convertibility of the rupee?‖)
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b) Non-knowledge intensive: Requires structured thinking, but subject knowledge is not required (for
example: ―Do women make better managers?‖)
c) Abstract: Requires out-of-the-box thinking, analogy and example-based discussion (For example:
―Money is sweeter than honey, blue is better than red.‖)

ii. Case studies

A structured discussion of a specific situation is given as a case. Sometimes, you will be asked to enact a
role play where each participant is allotted a role to play, with relevance to the case study.

iii. Group tasks

These are an extension of case studies where specific objectives are to be achieved as a group.

Structure of group discussion GD:-

A group discussion usually consists of 8 to 12 people. It usually follows a three phased structure
1. Brain storming – giving facts and data regarding the topic given.
2. Evaluation – evaluating the above facts and data – its pros and cons.
3. Summary – summarizing and arriving at a conclusion.

Types of Group Discussion GD:-

1. Free wheeling
2. Moderator-led
3. Detailed observatory style
In the free wheeling GD the participants have to manage every thing from deciding the topic of
discussion to arranging their seats. This form of GD examines the overall capabilities of the candidate to
work in an organization.
In the Moderator led GD, a moderator remains present during the discussions and a topic is given to the
participants. In this kind of GD the analytical thinking of the participants is given importance.
In detailed observatory style GD's the participants are observed from another room using audio visual
aids. In this kind, the examiner evaluates the candidates according to the behavior in the absence of an
evaluator physically present before them.

How to prepare?
Content
1. Develop subject knowledge on current affairs, general awareness and business trends.
2. Structure arguments on selected topics, considering both sides of the argument.
3. Plan for short and lucid points.
ii. Practice
1. GD skills cannot be learned from books. Get into practice groups.
2. Get skilled people to observe and give feedback.
3. Spend a lot of time analyzing each GD performance. Plan specific improvements
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Here are some tips for effective participation in a GD:

Understand - Understand the topic before attempting to contribute.
Speak - Try and get a chance to speak. If you can't get a chance to speak make your chance.
Initiate - Take the initiative to begin the discussion, if possible.
Structure - Structure arguments logically - justify your stand.
Summarise- Summarise the discussion effectively
Involve- Take active part throughout the GD.
Assert- Be assertive.
Articulate- Work continuously towards articulating your ideas into meaningful sentences to make
the best impact. Be clear in your speech.
Emphasize - Use non-verbal communication to emphasize points.
Listen- Be an attentive listener.
Quality, not quantity matters- it's not ‗how much' you say, but ‗what' you say that's important.

To prepare for a group discussion, keep track of happenings around the world. Being aware of current
affairs and issues and happenings, which affect our lives, however remotely, shows a well-rounded
personality. Make a habit of reading newspapers and magazines, watch interesting documentaries and
profiles on television to get a wider perspective on issues. As an individual, your intelligence, general
knowledge and core competencies are measured through the aptitude test. As a team player, your ability
to lead and play in a team is measured in the GD.
You will have to pursue the following points if you want to be successful in a group discussion. The
points are as follows:
Make sure that you read as much news as possible. Generally the topic is chosen from some of the
current happenings. Hence you should make sure that you have a look at all of them.
Make sure that you speak loudly and clearly. This is one of the most important things and you
could find yourself in difficulty if you do not speak loudly and clearly in a GD.
You should know that you are not really bounded to think in one way. You are free to think on
your own and put forward some new ideas. It is good for the GD since new ideas will definitely
make it interesting.
You should know what the topic is really about. If you have some confusion then you should wait
for some time and let the others speak first. When the matter is quiet clear and the GD is in midst
then you should start speaking with new ideas in mind.
Knowledge:
Knowledge about the subject can never be replaced in a GD. No matter how good you might be
communicating, if your sentences don‘t reflect that you are a knowledge bank then it‘s probably not
going to work out. You are required to talk in a GD but inputs that don't contain any substantial value
will not help in any way. One has to keep himself/herself updated by knowing what‘s happening around
the globe.
Alertness and presence of mind:
In a GD you are required to carefully listen to the other person's thoughts and keep an argument, example
or a supportive statement or fact ready to participate in the discussion. This shows how alert you are, how
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much importance you give when someone is putting his or her point forward. Remember that you need to
be calm and composed.
Out of the box thinking:
Yes! This is something that can help you get further selected because this reflects that you have a
different way of looking at things. You need to be creative and have to put points that might amaze the
panel. Remember, while working there are times when we need to find out solutions to the problem in a
better way, thinking out of the box helps you finding smart and good solutions at times.

Tips for Group Discussion - DO’s and Don’ts

When the group discussion topic is announced and if you do not get the topic properly, just
request to repeat the topic. Do not show surprises.
Saying correctly what you want to say- speaking effectively and efficiently is very important.
General Principles
o Be a good listener
o Do not use high vocabulary
o Never use technical language while speaking
o Not knowing is not a problem , do not try to bluff
Things to avoid
o Do not criticize on religion
o Do not get personal with anyone
o Do not criticize foreign policy of India
o Never ever try to bluff
Note:
» Argument is - exchange of ignorance
» Discussion is - exchange of knowledge

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING GROUP DISCUSSION

Asking questions and joining in discussions are important skills for jobs. If you find it difficult to speak
or ask questions, try the following strategies.
Observe
Attend as many seminars and tutorials as possible and notice what other students do. Ask yourself:
• How do others make critical comments?
• How do they ask questions?
• How do they disagree with or support the topic?
• What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are voicing disagreement?
• How do they signal to interrupt, ask a question or make a point?
Practise
Practise continously to improve your discussion skills. Start in an informal setting or with a small group.
Begin by:
asking questions: Ask for their opinions. Ask for information or advice.
Participating
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If you find it difficult to participate in discussion, set yourself goals and aim to increase your
contribution.An easy way to participate is to add to the existing discussion. Start by making small
contributions; agree with what someone has said or ask them to expand on their point (ask for an example
or for more information). Prepare a question to ask beforehand. You can then work up to answering a
question put to the group, providing an example for a point under discussion, or disagreeing with a point.
What is an argument?
To `argue' is to present an opinion through the process of reasoning, supported by evidence.
An argument seeks to persuade through rational and critical judgement.
How do we argue ?
The everyday meaning of the term argument implies a fight: an aggressive conflict or confrontation
between adversaries, where one tries to dominate the other in order to `win'. In GD this kind of arguing is
not appropriate. The aim of GD argument is to explore a question, proposition or an area of knowledge
and achieve reasoned mutual understanding. It is not important who `wins'—what matters most is the
quality of the argument itself.
When you engage in GD argument in tutorial discussions, you are developing your ideas, advancing and
clarifying your knowledge and learning to think critically.

Participation: Voicing an opinion and arguing a point effectively

1. Voicing an Opinion in a Seminar
Participating in a tutorial discussion can be a bit scary, specially when you want to disagree with a point
of view and are not sure how to, or of which language structures to use. Voicing your opinion and using
effective arguing techniques are valuable skills.
You may have a great idea, but you need to communicate it effectively and support it. The three
essential parts to a point of view are:
1. A valid opinion (a believable point of view)
I believe that ...
I think that ...
From what I understand ...
As I understand it ...
2. A reason (why)
This is due to ...
Because ...
What I mean by this is ...
3. Evidence (relevant and up-to-date examples, statistics, explanations and/ or expert opinions). If you
have actual data, examples or expert opinions on hand, refer to the source.
o This can be seen by
o For instance ...
o For example ...
o An example can be seen ...
o (Author's name) states that ...
o (Author's name) suggests...
o Statistics from (give a source) indicates ...
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Arguing a Point: How to disagree effectively

Disagreeing can be problematic as people often speak before they think things through. It is also
important to disagree politely. You may be trying to disprove another speaker's point, but
1. Acknowledge their point
I can see your point--however ...
That's a good point, but ...
I see what you're getting at, but ...
2. Then explain why you disagree
That's not always the case because ...
That's not necessarily true because ...
This idea isn't supported by statistics/ evidence ...
I thought the author meant that ...
3. Offer your opinion complete with reason and support
From what I've read ...
The statistics seem to show that ...
I think what the author may actually be suggesting is ...
Other studies by author/report show that ...
4. Now, be prepared for counter-argument and further discussion!
Remember, confidence is the key. If you do your tutorial preparation and think things through, you can
speak with confidence and believe that your contribution will be valid.

Discussion Etiquette (or minding your manners)

In order to successfully negotiate discussion, courtesy is important. The following are a few ground rules
for good conduct.
Do‘s
• Respect the contribution of other speakers.
• Speak pleasantly and with courtesy to all members of the group.
• Listen well to the ideas of other speakers; you will learn something.
• Remember that a discussion is not a fight. Learn to disagree politely.
• Respect that others have differing views and are not necessarily `wrong'.
• Think about your contribution before you speak: How best can you answer the question/ contribute to
the topic?
• Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant information.
• Be aware of your body language when you are speaking. Keep it `open' and friendly. Avoid gestures
that appear aggressive.
• Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.
• Stay with the topic. If the discussion does waiver, bring it back on topic by saying something like `Just
a final point about the last topic before we move on' or `that's an interesting point, can we come back to
that later?‘s
• Try to speak clearly. Don't whisper; even if you're feeling uncertain about your ideas or language.
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Don'ts
• Don't take offence if a person disagrees with you. There will be times when other speakers will have
different points of view. They may disagree with your ideas, and they are entitled to do so.
• Don't ridicule the contribution of others. Don't use comments like `that's stupid', that's ridiculous, or
`you're wrong'.
• Don't try to intimidate or insult another speaker.
• Don't use a loud or angry tone. Others will not want to listen to you if you are being aggressive. Use a
moderate tone and medium pitch.
• Avoid negative body language when speaking. Gestures like finger-pointing and table-thumping appear
aggressive.
• Try not to dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to
contribute.
• Avoid drawing too much on personal experience or anecdote. Remember not to generalise too much.
• Don't interrupt or talk over another speaker. Let them finish their point before you start. Listening to
others earns you the right to be heard.

Group Discussion Etiquette

Many of the problems that arise in group discussion result from members who do not have discussion
skills. Being able to participate properly in a discussion group is similar to reading. If you have a lot of
experience with discussions, it is likely that you will do well in a discussion group. However, if you don't
have experience with discussion groups, you may not know how to participate in them properly. There is
a certain amount of etiquette that you will need to display when you are in a discussion. Some of them
are:
During a discussion, it is important for members to always stay on topic. It is a bad etiquette to raise
issues that are not related to the subject of the discussion. When members raise issues that are off topic,
they waste time and prevent the group from achieving a certain goal. Most group discussions will have a
time limit. The group will have little time to waste talking about topics that are not relevant to the subject.
Because of this, it is always important to make sure any questions or statements you make are related to
the topic. Another good form of etiquette in group discussions is to ask open-ended questions instead of
closed-ended questions.
An open-ended question is one that does not require a specific answer. It is a question that is designed to
get the group thinking. Open-ended questions are important because they allow the other members to
think. If the question is related to a problem, the members may be able to come up with a number of
different solutions. Participants should not interrupt another while they are speaking. It is rude and it can
lead to conflict between you and the person who was interrupted.
It is important for everyone to get their point across. If you have a disagreement or concern with a
statement that is being made by someone else, wait until they are finished speaking before you talk. Most
group discussions require members to raise their hands before asking a question or making a statement,
and that should be followed strictly. If you disagree with a statement or idea that has been presented by
someone else, it is important for you to say it in a polite manner. In a group discussion, it is important to
avoid conflict, as this can stop the group from being able to successfully reach an objective.
An example of bad etiquette is saying something like "that idea will never work" or "your idea doesn't
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make any sense." These are statements that can be damaging to the member you are addressing to. A
good alternative to these two statements are "that idea raises some serious issues" or "I see your point, but
there are a number of problems that may arise." These two statements are examples of good etiquette, and
use them if you wish to succeed. There is nothing wrong with not being in agreement with what a person
says. However, you will have to let them know in a polite manner, and you should have good reasons for
holding your opinion.
It is also bad etiquette to put down the ideas that have been presented by another person. During the
meeting, all ideas should be considered, and no one should be ridiculed because of an idea they have.
There are a number of good reasons for this.
First, if one member of the group is ridiculed for having a bad idea, this may make other members uneasy
about presenting their own ideas. This could lead to a situation where a sizeable portion of the members
aren't actively participating because of fear of humiliation and have their ideas crushed. Group
discussions are important events that allow people to brainstorm ideas and arrive at some solutions to
problems. When the members of the group use proper etiquette, the discussion will be extremely
productive.

Group Discussion Tips – Mind Your Body Language during the GD process
Group discussions are based on some norms and so the aspirants need to develop the art of following
those norms. Body language of the participants in a Group Discussion is observed by the moderators very
keenly.
As a part of the GD etiquette, one shouldn‘t try to raise an issue or question to someone by pointing out
finger at him/ her. It‘s considered to be a very bad practice in any business format. Out of frustration or in
aggression, or to make a point valid or relevant to others, often the participants miss out on this point.
How you behave with your fellow participants during the Group Discussion counts in your final
rejection/selection in GD. Pointing fingers at fellow participants is a negative body language that a lot of
participants fail to take care during the rush of the discussion.
In group discussions, your fellow participants are to be treated respectfully even if you are trying to
compete with them. GD manners and etiquette are to be followed at all times
A true leader in a group will never exploit people by suppressing them. Pointing out finger at others is
more like threatening or intimidating them. However, GD‘s are more like conversations where the
objective of the group is to reach the consensus by allowing people to share their viewpoints. Pointing
out fingers at others may discourage them from participating further in the discussion and as a result, the
discussion goes haywire.
Be careful
Need not show anything that is not required.
Never choose bright colours, they distract.
Do not use strong perfumes.
Do not bite your nails.
Never try to pose what you are not.
Be sober
Try to be sober in all the respects. Be sober in your posture and gesture. Sobriety and simplicity
pay a lot in all the walks of life except very few that are not of our interest any ways.
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Do not slouch in the chair. Have a comfortable posture that does not hinder anyone to look at
other or in presentation.
Be sensitive enough to observe whether your posture or gesture is creating any problem for any of
the members.
Sit straight. Do not stretch your legs much or keep shaking them. Few persons have some very
special bad habits. They go on nodding or shaking heads showing approval or disapproval,
keeping pen or pencil in the lips or under teeth while listening very carefully and so on.
Note:
When you speak or listen, always have soft eye contacts. It should not appear that you are gazing
at any time. You should not look down or upwards while speaking or listening to anyone.
You need to care much about the evaluators, if they are sitting there. You should be careful about
your right presentation only. Never address them or make any eye contact with them. Listen to
them carefully whenever they say some thing.

BODY LANGUAGE
Body language is a term for communication using body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition
to, sounds, verbal language or other communication. It forms part of the category of paralanguage, which
describes all forms of human communication that are not verbal. This includes the most subtle of
movements that many people are not aware of, including winking and slight movement of the eyebrows.
In addition, body language can also incorporate the use of facial expressions.
One of the most basic and powerful body-language signals is when a person crosses his or her
arms across the chest. This can indicate that a person is putting up an unconscious barrier between
themselves and others. It can also indicate that the person's arms are cold which would be
clarified by rubbing the arms or huddling. When the overall situation is friendly, it can mean that
a person is thinking deeply about what is being discussed. But in a serious or confrontational
situation, it can mean that a person is expressing opposition. This is especially so if the person is
leaning away from the speaker. A harsh or blank facial expression often indicates outright
unfriendliness.
Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively of what the speaker is
saying. It can also mean that the other person doesn't trust the speaker enough to "take his eyes
off" the speaker. Lack of eye contact can indicate negativity. On the other hand, individuals with
anxiety are often unable to make eye contact without discomfort. Eye contact is often a secondary
and misleading gesture because we are taught from an early age to make eye contact when
speaking. If a person is looking at you but is making the arms-across-chest signal, the eye contact
could be indicative that something is bothering the person, and that he wants to talk about it. Or if
while making direct eye contact a person is fiddling with something, even while directly looking
at you, it could indicate that the attention is elsewhere.
Disbelief is often indicated by averted gaze, or by touching the ear or scratching the chin. So is
eyestrain, or itchiness. When a person is not being convinced by what someone is saying, the
attention invariably wanders, and the eyes will stare away for an extended period.
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Boredom is indicated by the head tilting to one side, or by the eyes looking straight at the speaker
but becoming slightly unfocused. A head tilt may also indicate a sore neck, and unfocused eyes
may indicate ocular problems in the listener.
Interest can be indicated through posture or extended eye contact.

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