Group Discussion

SAMBA
 What is a GD?
 A GD is a methodology used by an organization
to gauge whether the candidate has certain
personality traits and/or skills that it desires in
its members.
 In this methodology, the group of candidates is
given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes
to think about the same, and then asked to
discuss the it among themselves for 15-20
minutes.
 As the term itself suggests, a GD is a discussion
and not a debate -- between the members of a
group
What is a Group Discussion?
G D is a method of teaching and learning by
conversation amongst various members of a group,
not known to one another. It is a spontaneous
conversation which is not pre planned.

It is the examination of a subject by argument.

It is the art of reflecting, thinking and

communication of thoughts amongst members of a
group.
 GROUP DISCUSSION

A group discussion (GD) is a simulated

exercise, where you cannot suddenly put
up a show, since the evaluators will see
through you easily.
 Remember?

 Remember those heated discussions with family

members, friends and relatives?
 Consciously or unconsciously, you learned a thing or
two about discussing in a group.
 Your parents were the most heard and respected as they
were much better well informed.
 Instead of forcing their point of view on you, they heard
you out
 They presented their points in a logical and methodical
manner because they had the strength of content and
courage of conviction.

 FRUSTRATION !!
 Discussion versus debate
Discussion Debate
 A GD, calls for a lot more  A debate is for expressing
maturity and logic. intense emotions.

 to find a person with  conducted in a competitive

sound, logical reasoning mode –to establish a
and the ability to respect winner and others as
another's viewpoint. losers.
 a discussion is
evolutionary, participants
have the opportunity to  a debate begins with two
refine their views in the groups' bids to outwit
course of the discussion each other

 Each member needs to  Each member pulls

contribute substantially
each other down.
and add to the existing
knowledge base.

The difference, thus, lies not just in style,

but also in the mindset that
is required to tackle either challenge.
 Why Companies Conduct GD?
 GD is to get to know you as a person and gauge
how well you will fit in their institute.
 The Group discussion tests how you function as
a part of a team.
 The GD is to check how you behave, participate
and contribute in a group.
 The importance you give to the group objective
as well as your own,
 How well do you listen to viewpoints of others
and how open-minded are you in accepting
views contrary to your own.
 What is Assessed ?
 Ability to work in a team
 Communication skills
 Reasoning ability
 Leadership skills
 Initiative
 Assertiveness
 Flexibility
 Creativity
 Ability to think on ones feet
 Body language
 Self confidence
 Team skills
 What is Assessed?

 Ability to present your views logically

 Time management
 Interpersonal Skills
 Persuasive Skills
 Clarity of thought
 Conflict handling
 Listening and Probing skills
 Knowledge about the subject and individual point of view
 Ability to create a consensus
 Openness and flexibility towards new ideas
 Data based approach to decision making
A GD is a wonderful challenge
because you have a maximum
of 20 minutes to show if you
have it in you to become an
effective manager.
 Reasons for having a GD
 It helps you to understand a subject more
deeply.
 It improves your ability to think critically.
 It helps in solving a particular problem.
 It helps the group to make a particular decision.
 It gives you the chance to hear other students'
ideas.
 It improves your listening skills.
 It increases your confidence in speaking.
 It can change your attitudes
 Types of GD
 Topic-based
~ Knowledge intensive /Factual Topics
~ Non-knowledge intensive/
Controversial Topics
~ Abstract
 Case-based
 Group tasks
 Strategies for Improving GD
Skills.

 Observe
 Practice
 Participate
 Discussion Etiquette.
 Reading up on Current affairs.
 Mocks
 Discussion Etiquette – Do’s
 Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.
 Respect the contribution of every speaker.
 Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn
to disagree politely.
 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.
 Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.
 Discussion Etiquette –Don’ts
 Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument.
 Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.
 Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like
finger pointing and table thumping can appear
aggressive.
 Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should
allow quieter students a chance to contribute.
 Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote.
Although some tutors encourage students to reflect on
their own experience, remember not to generalise too
much.
 Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are
saying before you speak.
 Here's how most group
discussions work
 Normally groups of 8-10 candidates are formed
into a leaderless group, and are given a specific
situation to analyze and discuss within a given
time limit.
 The group may be given a case study and asked
to come out with a solution for a problem.
 The group may be given a topic and asked to
discuss on the same.
 A panel will observe the proceedings and
evaluate the members of the group.
 A group discussion consists of:
 Communication Skills
 Knowledge and ideas regarding a given
subject
 Capability to co-ordinate and lead
 Exchange of thoughts
 Addressing the group as a whole
 Thorough preparations
 Parts of A GD.

 Initiation Techniques
 Body of the group discussion
 Summarization/ Conclusion
 Initiation Techniques
 Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.

 Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a

good first impression:
i. Quotes
ii. Definition
iii. Question
iv. Shock statement
v. Facts, figures and statistics
vi. Short story
vii. General statement
 OBJECTIVE

One needs to know what one's objective in

the group is. A good definition of your
objective is - to be noticed to have
contributed meaningfully in an attempt to
help the group reach the right consensus.
 The first implication is that you should be noticed
by the panel. Merely making a meaningful contribution
and helping the group arrive at a consensus is not
enough. You have to be seen by the evaluating panel to
have made the meaningful contribution

 You must ensure that the group hears you .

 You have to be assertive.
 Most importantly, you have to make your
chances.
 Participate in as many practice GDs as possible
before you attend the actual GD.
 The second important
implication is that making just any
sort of contribution is not enough.
Your contribution has to be
meaningful
 You have a good knowledge base .
 You are able to put forth your arguments
logically and are a good communicator.
 The quality of what you said is more valuable
than the quantity.
Always enter the room with a piece of
paper and a pen. In the first two
minutes jot down as many ideas as you
can.
Note down points for both sides of the
argument. It will be useful on two
counts –
You can take the alternate approach
and oppose the topic.
Be prepared with counter arguments.
 Everybody else will state the obvious. So
highlight some points that are not obvious. The
different perspective that you bring to the group
will be highly appreciated by the panel

 Be careful that the "something different" you state is

still relevant to the topic being debated.
 Can you take the group ahead if it is stuck at one
point?
 Can you take it in a fresh and more relevant
direction?
 The last implication is that you
must be clearly seen to be
attempting to build a consensus.
 Gaining support or influencing colleagues is the
mantra adopted by many a successful Business
Leaders.
 What matters is "Did you make attempts to build
a consensus?"
 Building a consensus is important is because in
most work situations you will have to work with
people in a team, accept joint responsibilities
and take decisions as a group.
 You must demonstrate the fact that you are
capable and inclined to work as part of a team.
 Summarization/ Conclusion

 Most GD do not really have conclusions. A

conclusion is where the whole group
decides in favor or against the topic.
 But every GD is summarized. You can
summaries what the group has discussed
in the GD in a nutshell.
 Keep the following points in mind while
summarizing a discussion:
 Avoid raising new points.
 Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
 Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
 Keep it brief and concise.
 It must incorporate all the important points
that came out during the GD.
 If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it
means the GD has come to an end.
 Do not add anything once the GD has been
summarized.
 GD Do's & Dont's
 Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be
someone you are not. Be yourself.
 A group discussion is your chance to be more
vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
 Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of
what you are going to say.
 Seek clarification if you have any doubts
regarding the subject.
 Don't start speaking until you have clearly
understood and analyzed the subject.
 Work out various strategies to help you make
an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with
someone else's point and then move onto
express your views.
 Opening the discussion is not the only way of
gaining attention and recognition. If you do
not give valuable insights during the
discussion, all your efforts of initiating the
discussion will be in vain.
 Your body language says a lot about you -
your gestures and mannerisms are more likely
to reflect your attitude than what you say.
 Language skills are important only to the effect
as to how you get your points across clearly
and fluently.
 Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a
balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
 Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything
you object to. The key is to stay objective:
Don't take the discussion personally.
 Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme
phrases like: `I strongly object' or `I disagree'.
Instead try phrases like: `I would like to share
my views on…' or `One difference between
your point and mine…' or "I beg to differ with
you"
.
 Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the
other members of the team to speak (this surely
does not mean that the only thing that you do in
the GD is to say "let us hear what the young
lady with the blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu,
let us hear your views" - Essentially be subtle),
and listen to their views. Be receptive to others'
opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
 If you have a group of like-minded friends, you
can have a mock group discussion where you
can learn from each other through giving and
receiving feedback
 Apart from the above points, the panel
will also judge team members for their
alertness and presence of mind,
problem-solving abilities, ability to work
as a team without alienating certain
members, and creativity.
 Some Positive Task Roles in a
Group Discussion
 Initiator  Social Supporter
 Information seeker  Harmonizer
 Information giver  Tension Reliever
 Procedure  Energizer
facilitator  Compromiser
 Opinion seeker  Gatekeeper
 Opinion giver  Summarizer
 Clarifier
Negative Roles to be Avoided
 Disgruntled non-participant
 Attacker
 Dominator
 Patronizer
 Clown
 GD Mistakes
 Emotional outburst
 Quality Vs Quantity
 Egotism Showing off
 Get noticed - But for the right
reasons
 Managing one's insecurities
 While speaking don't keep looking at
a single member
HAPPY DISCUSSIONS !