TRAINING ON GD

by Prof. Karishma Ahuja

What is a GROUP & GD?
A Group is a social unit of interacting personalities who think, feel and act
together and who have some common aims, interests, stimulations,
emotions and loyalties.

A Group Discussion is a methodology to gauge the above mentioned traits.

 Thus:

Group discussion is defined as – a form of systematic and purposeful oral process characterized by the
formal and structured exchange of views on a particular topic, issue, problem or situation for developing
information and understanding essential for decision making or problem solving.
Steps for Group Discussion

• STEP I Open the discussion :

state the purpose
announce the problem
define the procedure

• STEP II Present the problem :

state the facts
ask for opinion
state the opinion
Contd…
• STEP III Conduct the discussion :
encourage contribution
control the discussion
analyze the progress
provide new direction

• STEP IV Summarize the discussion :

evaluate ideas
arrive at conclusions
decide or agree
ensure ownership, commitment, acceptance
Strategies for G.D.

Criteria for deciding the topic

• General in nature
• Interesting to motivate each member
• Topical and current
• Worth discussion with two point of views
Leader of the group

• Initiate
• Ensure right direction
• Add new points and value
• Encourage
• Maintain decorum
• Summarize and conclude
Remember

• Do not just scrutinize and dictate

• Do not speak for the sake of speaking
• Do not give wrong direction
or
Speak first only if you have something sensible to say or keep silent
and let someone else start
When to jump in the discussion?

• Observe intensity
• Jump only when the speaker has finished making his point
• Jump in an agreeable manner
• Jump by raising your voice
• Max noise level: crest, Silence
• Enter the G.D. during silence period
• When ideas familiar to you are discussed
• raise your voice and enter
• enter by supporting the most powerful speaker
Concluding the G.D.

• Summarize
• Restate your point of view
• Accommodate dissenting viewpoints
• Mention consensus if any or if asked by
the panelists
• Do not force a consensus
General observations

• General awareness
• Power of expression
• Social adaptability
• Impact on the group
• Participation
Key to success
 Be determined to do well
 Listen to instructions carefully
 Keep it short and simple
 Add value
 Intervene positively and put on
track
 Be polite and do not offend
 Conclude periodically
 Reason and analyze
 Give (limited) facts and figures
 Speaking ability
 Be clear, deliberate and slow
 Be assertive and not aggressive
 Have eye contact with all members
 Leadership
 Understanding and comprehending
Contd…
• Be civilized, sincere and serious
• Confidence
• Take the lead
• Modulate your voice
• Appropriate participation
Always avoid…!
• Interruption
• Irritating gestures
• Monopolizing
• Negative stance
• Loud volume
• Addressing the panel
• Flaying hands
• Speaking in turns
• Being too fast
• Being conscious of body language
• Casual look
• Being excited
Want to spoil….?
• Start shouting so no one else speaks
• Make aggressive returns to those who shout
• Change your stand continuously
• Always contradict others
• Sardonic smile to show superiority
• Ask others to shut up
• Use pet words or slangs ‘Yaar’
• Laugh loudly and heartily
• Point out errors of others
• Make fun of others
• Yawn
• Have a blank look throughout
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GD’S:

 1) Topic based
 2) Case Study based

Topic-Based Group Discussions are further divided into:

 1) Knowledge Based Topics
 2) Abstract Topics
 3) Controversial Topics
 4) Opinion Seeking Topics
1) Knowledge Based Topics:
 Under this kind of group discussion, you require in depth information about the topic been given to you.

1) You should be able to support it with facts and figures

2) Your information should be substantial.


Examples:
 a) Unique Identification Number
 b) Cold War
 c) Is terrorism the price we have to pay for democracy?
 d) Globalization and Privatization
 e) Is Mixed Economy preferred?
 f) MBA or PGDM?
 g) Privatization of Universities/colleges/schools
 h) Does India need a dictatorship?
 i) MBA in India is overrated
 2) Abstract Topics:
 Under this type of a group discussion, the panelist gives a topic which is absolutely out of the box.
Abstract topics are more about intangible things. These topics test your creativity and also to some
extent your thinking ability.
 Such topics can be interpreted in different ways by the candidates. In such topics, your
comprehension skills and communication skills are judged.
Example:
 1) A Teardrop on my Guitar
 2) Where there’s a will there’s away
 3) 26 Alphabets
 4) Infinite Numbers
 5) A Walk to Remember
 6) Six Billion and One Gold
3) Controversial Topics

 Such topics can lead to an argument, they’re argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate

controversy and at the same time, judge the analytical skills of the participant to see if he/ she can
think rationally, without any bias and arrive at a harmonious conclusion.

 Such topics are also given by the panelists so that they can judge the maturity level of the students.

Example:
 1) Reservation should be removed
 2) Quota System should be Abolished
 3) Maintaining brotherhood is a social obligation
 4) Beauty Pageants give a wrong impact on the women of India
 5) Politics in India
 6) Reality shows- Should children be banned from coming in such shows?
4) Opinion Seeking Topics:

In such topics, candidates are asked to put across their opinions, their point of views. The
panelists look for presentation skills when given such topics and also your ability to work in a
team which means that your leadership skills are also judged.

Example:
 1) Women – boon to the society or bane to the society
 2) Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage
 3) Nuclear Family or Joint Family
CASE BASED STUDY:

 Under a case based study, a situation or a scenario is left to students for an open discussion. The information about the

situation will be provided to you, a problem regarding the same situation will be given, all you will be asked for is to
resolve it.

 Topics given during this type of discussion are more management related, for example: the panelists might give you a

situation which could be a conversation/argument between an employee and the boss etc.

 These are open end discussions, wherein nobody is right or wrong, using their thinking ability they decide what they can

do in such situations etc.

 The panelist under the case based study, look for the decision making skills, his/her ability to work in a team etc.

 TIP 1: Be updated with the latest current affairs which will provide you to give facts and figures during a Group

Discussion which will value addition for you.

 TIP 2: Practice topics well in advance, manage a list of topics from various group discussions held in the previous years,

consult your friends or seniors who have been through the same process.
 DOS

 Listen to the subject carefully

 Put down your thoughts on a paper
 Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well
 Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
 Support you point with some facts and figures
 Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times
 Give others a chance to speak
 Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members.
 Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
 Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.
 DON'TS

 Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.

 Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.

 Argue and shout during the GD

 Look at the evaluators or a particular group member

 Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion

 Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking the table with a pen etc.

 Mention erratic statistics.

 Display low self confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.

 Try to dominate the discussion

 Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they don’t want.
WHAT SKILLS ARE JUDGED IN GROUP DISCUSSION?

 How good you are at communication with others.

 How you behave and interact with group.
 How open minded are you.
 Your listening skill.
 How you put forward your views.
 Your leadership and decision making skills.
 Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.
 Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
 Your attitude and confidence.
 Assessment Sheet for Group Discussion

Date: - Place/Location: - Team: -

Participant
Mar
Sl No Attribute
ks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Initiative
1 10 0 8 0 4 0 0 6 0
/Aggressiveness
2 Content/Style 10

3 Team Spirit 5

4 Body Language 10

5 Commn Skills (Verbal) 10

6 Closure/Summary 5

Total 50
EVALUATION IN GD

Personality:

 Even before one starts communicating, impression is created by the appearance, the body language, eye-

contact, mannerisms used etc.

 The attire of a participant creates an impression, hence it is essential to be dressed appropriately. The

hairstyle also needs to suit the occasion.

 Other accessories also have to be suitable for the occasion.

 The facial expression helps to convey attitudes like optimism, self-confidence and friendliness.

 The body language, a non-verbal communication skill gives important cues to personality assessment.

 It includes the posture of a person, the eye-contact and overall manner in which one moves and acts.
 In the entire participation in the GD, the body language has an important role in the impact

created.

 As non-verbal cues such as eye contact, body movements, gestures, facial expressions, and so

on can speak louder than words, examiners closely watch the non-verbal behavior of
candidates.

 They generally evaluate the body language cues of candidates to determine personality factors

such as nervousness, cooperation, frustration, weakness, insecurity, self-confidence,

defensiveness, and so forth. So, it is important to be careful while using non-verbal messages.

 However, one should recognize the power of non-verbal messages and use them effectively.
 CONTENT:

 Content is a combination of knowledge and ability to create coherent, logical arguments on the basis of that

knowledge.

 Also a balanced response is what is expected and not an emotional response. In a group discussion, greater

the knowledge of the subject more confident and enthusiastic would be the participation. Participants need
to have a fair amount of knowledge on a wide range of subjects.

 The discussion of the subject must be relevant, rational, convincing and appealing to the listeners. One

needs to keep abreast with national and international news, political, scientific, economic, cultural events,
key newsmakers etc.

 This has to be supplemented by one's own personal reasoning and analysis.

 People with depth and range of knowledge are always preferred by dynamic companies and organizations.
 The topics for GD tests may include interesting and relevant ideas pertaining to social,

economic, political or environmental problems; controversial issues, innovations or case

studies.

 To read daily newspapers, relevant magazines and periodicals, to watch news bulletins and

informative programs on television are is a simple ways to gather the general knowledge.

 One can use the Internet to improve one's knowledge about recent developments in different

areas. Internet is a valuable source to acquire information along with multimedia form.

 Subject knowledge also includes the ability to analyze facts or information in a systematic

way and to place them in the context of the framework of one’s personal experiences. For the
expertise in the GD, the only way is to practice wherever one can.
 COMMUNICATION SKILLS

 First and foremost feature of communication skills is that it is a two way process.

 Hence the communicator has to keep in mind the listeners and their expectations.

 The participants need to observe the group dynamics.

 Since GD tests one’s behavior as well as one’s influence on the group, formal language and mutual respect are

obvious requirements.

 One may not take strong views in the beginning itself but wait and analyze the pros and cons of any situation.

 If one needs to disagree, learn to do so politely. One can directly put forward the personal viewpoint also.

 One may appreciate the good points made by others; can make a positive contribution by agreeing to and

expanding an argument made by another participant. An idea can be appreciated only when expressed effectively.
 A leader or an administrator has the ability to put across the idea in an

influential manner.

 Hence the participants in a group discussion must possess not only subject

knowledge but also the ability to present that knowledge in an effective way.

 Since oral skills are used to put across the ideas, the ability to speak

confidently and convincingly makes a participant an impressive speaker.

 The members of the selection committee closely evaluate the oral

communication skills of the candidates.

 The effective communication would imply use of correct grammar and vocabulary, using the right pitch,

good voice quality, clear articulation, logical presentation of the ideas and above all, a positive attitude.

 It is expected that there are no errors of grammar or usage and that appropriate words, phrases etc. are

used. One should try to use simple and specific language.

 One should avoid ornamental language.

 Clarity of expression is one of the important criteria of communication. When there is clarity of thinking,

there is clarity in usage of language. Positive Speech Attitudes is another criterion of evaluation in the

GD whereby the participant’s attitude towards listeners including other group members is judged.

 The temperament of the participant is also evaluated through the speech pattern.
LISTENING SKILLS:

 Lack of active listening is often a reason for failure of communication.

 In the GD, participants often forget that it is a group activity and not a solo performance as in

elocution.

 By participating as an active listener, he/she may be able to contribute significantly to the

group deliberations.

 The listening skills are closely linked to the leadership skills as well.
 LEADERSHIP SKILLS

 The success of any group depends to a large extent upon the leader.

 One of the common misconceptions about leadership is that the leader is the one who controls the group.

 There are different approaches to the concept of leadership.

 By studying the personality traits of great leaders or actual dimensions of behavior to identify leadership

one can learn to cultivate essential traits of leaders.

 In a GD, a participant with more knowledge, one who is confident, one who can find some solution to the

problem and display initiative and responsibility will be identified as the leader.

 A candidate's success in a GD test will depend not only on his/her subject knowledge and oral skills but

also on his/her ability to provide leadership to the group.

 Adaptability, analysis, assertiveness, composure, self-confidence, decision making, discretion, initiative,

objectivity, patience, and persuasiveness are some of the leadership skills that are useful in proving oneself as a

natural leader in a GD.

 The leader in a group discussion should be able to manage the group despite differences of opinion and steer the

discussion to a logical conclusion within the fixed time limit.

 The examiners will assess whether each participant is a team player who can get along with people or an

individualist who is always fighting to save his/her ego.

 Employers today look for candidates who can work in a team-oriented environment.

 GD participants need a number of team management skills in order to function effectively in a team.

 Some of the skills needed to manage a group effectively include adaptability, positive attitude, cooperation, and

coordination.