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. In
this page you can find tips on GD and how to handle them to ensure a
positive outcome.
Features Of Group Discussion
1.Group Discussion, as the name itself indicates, is a group activity carried out by
participating individuals. It is an exchange of ideas among the individuals of a group on a
specific topic.
2 It is used as reliable, testing device - mainly as a tool to assess all the candidates in a
group at one go -in order to select the best in comparative perspective.
3.Group Discussion is an informal discussion in which participants of the same
educational standard discuss a topic of current interest.
4.It is also known as leaderless discussion. It means its aim is to find out the natural
leadership level of the candidates. Strictly speaking, no one from the group or outside
will be officially designated as leader or president or chairman or anything of the sort.
Even the examiner or supervisor who launches the discussion will retire to the
background. No one will participate or intervene in the deliberations of the group.
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.
OBJECTIVE
Lets start from the basic. 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. What does this essentially mean?
1. 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. What does that mean in practice?
You must ensure that the group hears you. If the group hears you, so will
the evaluator. That does not mean that you shout at the top of your voice
and be noticed for the wrong reasons.
You have to be assertive. If you are not a very assertive person, you will
have to simply learn to be assertive for those 15 minutes. Remember,
assertiveness does not mean being bull-headed or being arrogant.
And most importantly, you have to make your chances. Many group
discussion participants often complain that they did not get a chance to
speak. The fact is that in no group discussion will you get a chance to
speak. There is nothing more unacceptable in a GD than keeping one's
mouth shut or just murmuring things which are inaudible.
Participate in as many practice GDs as possible before you attend the
actual GD. There is nothing like practice to help you overcome the fear of
talking in a GD.
2. The second important implication is that making just any sort of contribution is
not enough. Your contribution has to be meaningful. A meaningful contribution
suggests that
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. There is
this myth amongst many group discussion participants that the way to
succeed in a group discussion is by speaking loudly and at great length.
One could not be more wrong. You must have meat in your arguments.
Therefore, think things through carefully.
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.
When you jot down points, keep these pointers in mind.
If it is a topic where you are expected to take a stand, say for example, "Should India sign
the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty?" note down points for both sides of the argument. It
will be useful on two counts -
One, if you do not start the GD and are not amongst the first five speakers
and find that everyone in the group is talking for the topic, then it makes
sense to take the alternate approach and oppose the topic even if you
initially intended to talk for the topic.
Second, it helps to have a knowledge of how group members who take a
stand diametrically opposite to yours will put forth their argument and to
be prepared with counter arguments.
3. 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
apprecaited by the panel. Some pointers on being relevant while having a
different perspective are:
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?
4. 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.
Nobody expects a group of ten intelligent, assertive people, all with
different points of view on a controversial subject to actually achieve a
consensus. But what matters is "Did you make attempts to build a
consensus?"
The reason why an attempt to build 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.
Do's
1. Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.
2. A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear
you speak.
3. Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
4. Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
5. Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms are
more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
9. Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points
across clearly and fluently.
10. Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion
and analysis.
11. Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay
objective: Don't take the discussion personally.
12. 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"
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
Do's and Dont's in a Group Discussion
When you are participating in a group discussion, there are a number of things you will want to
avoid. While doing the right things can allow you to become a valuable member of the group,
doing the wrong things can cause you to disrupt the discussion, and you may find yourself
alienated from the other members.
In this article, I will go over the Do's and Dont's of group discussions. By following these
guidelines, you will enjoy being a part of group discussions, and you will contribute to the success
of the group.
It is important to avoid putting down the ideas that are presented during the discussion. This is
especially important if the group is brainstorming ideas. When you put down ideas that are
presented by someone else, you are humiliating them in front of the other members, and you are
disrupting the brainstorming process. In addition to this, you can create conflict between you and
the person you are ridiculing. Never attack the idea of someone else. It can cause other members
to be uneasy about sharing their own ideas, because they may fear being ridiculed.
If you don't agree with a statement or idea that has been presented by other another member,
address the issue in a polite manner. Instead of attacking their idea directly, why not come up
with a better idea instead? It is also important avoid interrupting other members when they are
speaking. This is extremely rude. If you feel the need to interrupt someone while they are
speaking, try to interject as politely as you can. In some discussion groups, you may be required to
raise your hands after someone has finished making a statement. If someone is interrupted by
another person why they are speaking, this could create conflict. It may convey a message that
what they are saying is not important.
When you are given a task to carry out, it is important for you to do it. Remember, the group is a
machine, and every part of that machine must work if it is to function properly. The members of
the group are the pieces that make up the machine. If you are given a task to perform that must be
done before the discussion is held, you will want to make sure it is done properly. If it is not done
correctly, it can disrupt the flow of the discussion. It is important for you to offer encouragement
to the other members. When you encourage the other members of the group, you will gain their
respect, and this will allow them to work harder. Encouragement can build up a group discussion,
while discouragement can tear it down.
It is important for you to show respect to all the members of the group, and they should show you
respect as well. When everyone has a mutual respect for each other, this will stop the conflicts
which can completely destroy a discussion. If you are the leader of the group, it is essential for you
to make sure the right topic is discussed. It should be something that is important to you and the
other members. When this is case, the participants will work hard to make sure important issues
are covered. If they are not interested in the topic, it will be hard to get them to focus on it. It is
important for leaders to choose relevant topics that will be of interest to those who will be
participating.
If you are having a brainstorming phase during the group discussion, do not dismiss any ideas
that are presented. Give everyone the time to present ideas that they think can be useful in solving
problems. Once the brainstorming session is over, let the group decide which ideas are the best.
Another thing that you will want to avoid doing is avoid getting into arguments with other
members. It is not productive, and will cause conflicts to occur. While there is nothing wrong with
getting into positive arguments, they should not be allowed to get out of control. Show respect to
everyone in the group. If you don't agree with a statement that is made by someone, say it in a
tactful way