Everything You Wanted to Know About GDs - But Were Afraid to Ask

8/8/2019 Everything You Wanted to Know About GDs - But Were Afraid to Ask

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-gds-but-were-afraid-to-ask 1/97

GROUP DISCUSSIONS



What exactly is a Group Discussion?

A Group Discussion (GD) is a forum wherepeople sit together, discuss a topic with the

common objective of finding a solution for a

problem or discussing an issue given to them.



A GD is normally used:

(a) To select candidates who have applied for

admission to a B-School.

(b) To recruit young µmanagers-to-be¶, for

companies summer training programmes.

(c) By companies to recruit management

graduates af ter the successful completion of a

rigorous B-School management programme -as part of the selection process ± mostly at

the entry level.



Why a Group Discussion is required in the

µselection¶ process

(a) To assess a candidates communication skills,

knowledge levels etc.

(b) To measure certain attributes of a candidate, which

are otherwise difficult to identif y and timeconsuming to assess.

(c) A number of people who can communicate their

ideas well and discuss effectively with others in a

one-to-one situation, become tongue-tied in a GD.

(d) It helps identif y people who have such skills and

people who do not.



(e) There are people who are good µlisteners¶ in a

one-to-one situation ± but whose µlistening

skills¶ just vanish when it comes to being

members of a group and all that they seem to

be interested in is their voice being heard by

the rest of the group.

(f) GDs are therefore used effectively by selectors

to assess whether a proper µfit¶ exists betweenthe skills the candidate possesses and what the

institute/organization requires.



What a GD is and what it is not

A completely mistaken notion ± which is

f arthest from truth ± is one which says that it

is only µgift of the gab¶ that is the deciding

f actor.

Another opinion is that only the convent educated students who can speak polished

English, can do well in GDs.



A GD is NOT just about µtalking¶. It is alsomuch more than µtalking sense¶.

It involves exercising your mental f aculties tothink through the topic, listening to the viewsof the other group members, integrating theirviews with your views and helping the group

arrive at a logically coherent solution to theproblem that is being discussed.

Prior public speaking experience ± while it can

be a µplus¶ ± is not mandatory for success inGDs.

Debating/Public Speaking and GroupDiscussions are NOT the one and same thing.



Debating & Public Speaking are one-to-many

communication situations, whereas a Group

Discussion is a many-to-many situation.

A debate, elocution or public speaking contest

is a solo performance, whereas a Group

Discussion is not.

In a debate it is your individual views that

matter, whereas in a Group Discussion it is

NOT your individual views alone. Unlike in a debate or Public Speaking; in a

GD, it is the views of the entire group that

matter.



Types of Group Discussions

1. Topic ± based.

2. Case ± based.

(also called Case Studies)



Topic Based GDs

The group members are given a topic todiscuss.

The topic is typically in the form of a

statement (sometimes, the topic may not be a complete statement. E.g. ³T he biggest

problem faced by our country is . . . .´ couldbe a GD topic. By the end of thediscussion, the group should strive toarrive at a consensus on the issue that iscovered by the topic.



Case ± based GDs (Case Studies)

Here, a short description of a situation

(called a µcase¶) is given to all the

participants. The case will typically be a

problem situation that requires a

solution. The participants are required to

study the case, analyze the problem and

then discuss their views about the

possible solution to the problem with the

other members of the group.



Typical Topic ± based GDs

These are of two types, viz:

1. Knowledge-based ± µIndia should withdraw

from W TO¶ . Here, unless you have some

knowledge about WTO, you will not be ableto speak effectively on the topic.

Knowledge ± based GDs f all into different

categories like: ± Economic topics; Social topics; Political topics;

Sports/Films related topics; IT based.



2.Non ± knowledge based ± These are topics that

do not require a knowledge base in any specific

area for you to be able to talk about them.Common, day-to-day knowledge is sufficient to

do a good job of talking about such topics.

Your worldly knowledge and common sensewill help you in speaking on the topic.

Non-knowledge based topics themselves can be

subdivided into two categories:

± C oncrete topics. Clear cut views.

± Abstract topics. Where interpretation varies from

person to person.



Other modalities

1. Group Size ± Can vary from eight per group to

fif teen candidates per group.2. Seating Arrangement ± Could be either

circular/semi-circular of U-shape or a rectangular³boardroom´ seating arrangement.

3. Time allotted ± Normally, each group is given 15 ± 20minutes for discussing a topic. At times discussionscould be terminated much earlier and at times may even exceed 30 minutes. You need to remember that

the time required for the discussion, DOES N OT depend on the group size.

4. You MUST make your µcontribution¶ within the first 2 to 3 minutes, else there is a danger of your not

having made sufficient contribution.



5. The moderator may terminate the GD ahead of the

time he had earlier announced. This usually happens

when the moderator feels that the GD is not makingµheadway¶.

6. The exact wording of the topic is very important for

proper discussion. You must carry your pen and

paper with you for the GD. The moderator will not

write the topic on the board.

7. Listen very carefully to every statement that the

moderator makes.

8. In some cases the moderator will give a few minutes

(2-3 minutes) to the group members to think about

the topic and then ask them to start the discussion.



Addressing Group members

You are N OT expected to address the othermembers of your group by names. You are

N OT expected to know the names of all the

group members in such a short period of time.

You can just point your hand at that individual

and say, ³ As he/she said, . . .´.

In case you are asked to introduce yourself,

you should be prepared to tell the group yourname, where you are from, the name of your

institution & your graduation stream. Keep

your introduction brief.



Performance parameters in a GD

1. Content ± The single most important f actor in a GD. It is your knowledge bank.

2. Communication ± (a) Correctly conveying what you

say (b) Listening (c) Language.

3. Group Behaviour ± Actions such as shouting,

making snide remarks etc. will do you no good.

4. Leadership Skills ± It does not mean speaking the

loudest or most in the group. A leader is not the

person who speaks the most in a group ± but one

who is µspoken to¶ the most.



Improving your performance in GDs

Three different aspects that can help improve your

performance are :

1. Building your knowledge base

Through good magazines (both business and general).

You should be comfortable with topics dealt within 8 ±

10 months before the GDs/Interviews. Surf the internet.

2. Generating ideas about the topic

Three approaches:(a) Key Word Approach (K WA)

(b) Viewpoint of Affected Parties (VAP)

(c) Socio-cultural, Political, Economic, Legal and

Technological angles to the given topic (SPELT)



3. Improving your participation in GDs

Taking a position vis-à-vis the topic.

If you have a sof t voice.

If you are interrupted when you are discussing.

How to get into the discussion.

If you are not noticed when you are speaking.

If you do not know much/nothing about the topic.

Supporting somebody else whose ideas are similar to yours.

What if you know a lot about a topic and the others are

relatively ignorant.

The first to start a discussion.

Language to be used in a GD.

Using statistics in your discussion.

Questioning other members on points made by them.



ARE YOU GOOD AT

GROUP DISCUSSIONS?





Have you ever seen a football game? Or been a part of a football team? These questions might

seem awkward and absurd when talking about µHow to crack a Group Discussion¶ to get into a good company. But they are relevant

to understand the nuances of a GroupDiscussion. Just reiterating the cliché that a Group discussion, or GD, as it is commonly called, is a group process or a team building

exercise does not help students. As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the

ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on teamwork,

incorporating views of different team membersto reach a common goal.



A Group Discussion at the B- S chool/ C ompanylevel can be defined as a

µformal discussion¶involving ten to 12

participants in a group.



Students are given a topic. Af tersome time, during which they collect

their thoughts, the group is asked to

discuss the topic for 20 to 25 minutes.

Companies/B-Schools use the GDprocess to assess a candidate's

personality traits.



Here are some of the most

important personality traitsthat a candidate should possess

to do well at a GD:



1. Team Player

Companies/B-Schools lay great emphasison this parameter because it is essential for managers to be team players.

The Reason: Managers always work inteams. At the beginning of his/her career,a manager works as a µteam member¶.

And, later, as a µteam leader¶.

Management aspirants who lack team

skills cannot be good managers.



2. Reasoning Ability

Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressingyour opinions or ideas at a GD. For example, an opinion like'Reduction in II M s' fees will affect quality' can be better statedby demonstrating your reasoning ability and completing themissing links between fees and quality as:

'Reduction in IIMs' fees will result in less funds being investedon study material, student exchange programmes, research,student development activities, etc.

'Moreover, it costs money to attract good f aculty, create goodinfrastructure and upgrade technology.

'With reduction in fees, less money will be available toperform these, activities which will lead to deterioration in thequality of IIMs.'



3. LeadershipThere are three types of situations that can arise in a GD:

1. A GD where participants are unable to establish a proper rapport and donot speak much.

2. A GD where participants get emotionally charged and the GD gets

chaotic.3. A GD where participants discuss the topic assertively by touching on all

its nuances and try to reach the objective.

Here, a leader would be someone who f acilitates the third situation at a GD.

A leader in a case like this would be that person who would have the following

qualities:

1. Shows direction to the group whenever group moves away from the topic.

2. Coordinates the effort of the different team members in the GD.3. Contributes to the GD at regular intervals with valuable insights.4. Inspires and motivates team members to express their views.

Caution: Being a mere coordinator in a GD does not help, because it is a

secondary role. Contribute to the GD with your ideas and opinions, but also try

and steer the conversation towards a goal.



4. Flexibility You must be open to other ideas as well as to the evaluation of

your ideas: That is what f lexibility is all about. But first,remember: Never ever start your GD with a stand or a conclusion.

Say the topic of a GD is, ' S hould India go to war with Pakistan?' Some participants tend to get emotionally attached to the topic

and take a stand either in f avour or against the topic, i.e. 'Y es, India should ' , or, ' No, India should not ' . By taking a stand, youhave already given your decision without discussing the topic at hand or listening to the views of your team members. Also, if you encounter an opposition with a very strong point at the11th hour, you end up in a typical catch-22 situation:

If you change your stand, you are seen as a fick le-minded or a whimsical person.

If you do not change your stand, you are seen as an inf lexible,

stubborn and obstinate person.



5. Assertiveness

You must put forth your point to the group ina very emphatic, positive and confident manner.

Participants of ten confuse µAssertiveness¶ with

µAggressiveness¶. Aggressiveness is all about forcing your point

on the other person, and can be a threat to thegroup.

An aggressive person can also demonstratenegative body language, whereas an assertiveperson displays positive body language.



6. Initiative A general trend amongst students is to start a GD and get the

initial kitty of points earmarked for the initiator. But that is a high risk-high return strategy.

Initiate a GD only if you are well versed with the topic.

If you start and f ail to contribute at regular intervals, it givesthe impression that you started the GD just for the sake of theinitial points.

Also, if you fumble, stammer or misquote f acts, it may

work against you.

Remember: You never ever get a second chance to create a first

impression.



7. Creativity/ Out of the box

thinking

An idea or a perspective, which opens new horizons for discussion on

the GD topic, is always highly appreciated. When you put across a new idea convincingly, such that the

group discusses it at length, it canonly be positive. You will find

yourself in the good books of theexaminer.



8. Inspiring ability

A good group discussion should incorporate

views of all the team members. If some team

members want to express their ideas but are

not getting the opportunity to do so, giving

them an opportunity to express their ideas oropinions will be seen as a positive trait.

Caution: If a participant is not willing to speak,

you need not necessarily go out of the way toask him to express his views. This may insult

him and hamper the f low of the GD.



9. Listening

Always try and strike a

proper balancebetween expressing your

ideas andimbibing ideas.



10. Awareness

You must be well versed with both the

micro and macro environment. Your

awareness about your environment helps a

lot in your GD content, which carries

maximum weightage.

Caution: The content or awareness

generally constitutes 40% to 50 % marks

of your GD. Apart from these qualities,

communication skills, confidence and the ability

to think on one's feet are also very important.



FAQs on Group Discussions



Are GDs conducted by companies and

management institutes similar, or doesone need to look at them separately and

prepare differently for each of them?



Will there be cases where the moderator

is not present with the group?



Can I select my seat in the GD? Is

there any advantage based on myseat in the GD?



What should I do if my neighbours

are sitting in such a position that

they block my view to prevent me

from getting noticed by the group?



If the group members are asked to

select their own topic for discussion,

is there any restriction on the type of topic that they can select? Can one

prepare with a few topics and

propose one from this list to the

group?



Will one be allowed to write down

the topic given for the discussion?



Will one be given paper and pen/paper

to note down the topic?



When the moderator gives the topic, will

he give the participants some time tothink about the topic before the group

commences the discussion?



Does one have to write a summary of

the discussion at the end of the GD?

Will one be told about the same at

the start of the discussion?



If one is asked to write a summary,

what should the summary consist of?



Do the participants have to write asummary in a case-based GD also?



Can the participants in a GD take

turns and speak one af ter the otherwithout other group members

interrupting?



If a member of a group is making a

nuisance of himself and is obstructing thediscussion, can I ask the moderator to

intervene?



If one is not allowed to speak (by the

other members of the group), what

should one do?



If a group member makes a point

which I do not agree with, can I

prove to him that he is wrong?



How should one deal with subjects

about which one has very strong

views or issues to which one is

emotionally attached?



How orderly or chaotic are GDs?



What should one do if more than one

person is talking at the same time?



What is µcartelization¶ in GDs?

What should one do if it happens in

one?



When one starts speaking by

interrupting some other member of

the group, should one continue withthe point being made by the last

speaker, or can one start with the

same point?



GROUP DISCUSSIONS:

Don't get emotionally involved



Shobha is on top of the world these days.

She received calls from all six IIMs and

her percentile is in the top 0.1 percentile

category of candidates who appeared for

the test. She is now preparing rigorously

for her second phase of B-school

admissions, i.e. Personality Assessment

(Group Discussions and Interviews). She

has great communication skills, but her

performance in the GDs is not consistent.



Which is more important. GD or PI?

As a B-school aspirant, she needs to understanddifferent types of GDs and personality traits that are

given weightage.

A GD, as discussed before, is defined as a formal

discussion involving 10-12 participants in a group. Atopic is given to them, with some time to collect their

thoughts, and the group is then asked to discuss the

topic for 20-25 minutes.

The sole objective of a group discussion is to analyze

the personality traits of a candidate. We explore the

different types of GDs.



MBA/Engg: How to talk during a GD.

1. Case Study A type of GD where a situation is given to

candidates, with some time to analyze it, followed

by a discussion of around 15 - 20 minutes. You are

expected to analyze the situation and reach a solution.

A common blunder made by many while discussing

a case study is to announce your solution to the

group at the beginning of the case study. Basically,

you have declared your solution without generating

and discussing different possible solutions or

alternatives for the problem mentioned.



In a case study, you are expected to reach a solution,but even if you are not able to, the panel gives a lot of weightage to the process followed by candidates to

analyze the case study. In short, the panel asksthemselves, ' Is the approach taken by the candidatetowards the case correct?¶

Any case study can be approached and analyzedthrough the following five-step proven methodology:

1. S ituation analysis.

2. Problem recognition.

3. Generating alternatives.

4. Analyzing alternatives generated in previous step.

5. Best alternative as the solution.

This step-by-step process highlights the problem-solving and logical approach of a candidate.



2. Role Play

Similar to case studies, here too, a situation or

case is given to the group, but a candidate is

NOT expected to find a solution.

Instead, he is expected to play the role of a

particular character in the case. Role plays

primarily check the ability of a person to

empathize with the character in a given case.



3. Normal Group Discussion

This can be divided into threebroad categories based on the topic:



Argumentative

As the title suggests, this type of GD generatesa lot of argument. Topics given areargumentative or controversial in nature, andof ten, tempers run high. Candidates get emotionally attached to the topic and forget the basic tenets of the GD. A few examples of such topics are ' S hould India attack Pakistan' ,' How real are reality shows?', ' S hould actionchannels be banned ' etc. These topics test how

assertively (not aggressively) a person can put his or her content across to the team and leavea winning impression on them.



Factual

Most f actual topics deal with day-to-day happenings in our environment. A f actual

GD is highly content-intensive and gives

the candidate a chance to prove his or herknowledge about micro and macro issues.

Some f actual topics include ' India' s

foreign policy' , ' Impact of Indo-US relations on Indian economy' , ' Is Indian

economy better than that of C hina?' etc.





VARIED TOPICS FOR

GROUP DISCUSSIONS



FAMILIARITY

BREEDSCONTEMPT.

FAMILIARITY

BREEDS CONTENT.DISCUSS.



HOW WILL YOU

MOTIVATE

TERRORISTS TOSPARE THE

INNOCENT?



FAMILY OWNED

COMPANIESVERSUS

PROFESSIONALLYRUN COMPANIES.

DISCUSS.



CORRUPTION IS

NOT NECESSARILY

AGREED.IT COULD BE A

NECESSITY.



IN ORGANIZATIONS,

SMALL ISBEAUTIFUL.



GLOBALIZATIONWILL WIDEN THE

GAP BETWEEN THEHAVES AND THE

HAVE - NOTS.



IS DIVORCE A

NECESSARY EVIL?



MONEY IS SWEETER

THAN HONEY



INDIA HAS LOST

OUT ON THE RACEOF ECONOMIC

SUPREMACY TOCHINA AND SOUTH

EAST ASIANCOUNTRIES.



CAN ONE BE ASUCCESSFUL

MANAGER BYCOMPROMISING ON

MORALITY?



SCIENCE FICTION IS

NOTHING BUT ANUNCANNY ABILITY

TO UNDERSTANDHOW TECHNOLOGY

IS LIKELY TOPROGRESS



GOVERNMENTSHOULD SUBSIDISE

PRIMARYEDUCATION AND NOT

POST GRADUATE

EDUCATION



DO BEAUTIFUL

PEOPLE LEADBETTER LIVES?



IN BUSINESS,µWH AT Y OU KN OW¶

IS NOT AS

IMPORTANT AS

µWH O Y OU KN OW¶



THE SUN ALWAYS

RISES IN THE EAST



AN MBA ISESSENTIAL FOR

SUCCESS INCORPORATE LIFE



EXPLOITATION

OF THE FEMALE

BODY INADVERTISING

SHOULD BEBANNED



BLACK ISBLACK

AND

WHITE ISWHITE



HE WHO MAKESMOST

MISTAKES,

WINS



THE WAY TOHEAVEN

IS

THROUGH HELL



MANAGERS AREPAID MUCH

MORE THAN

THEY DESERVE



BUSINESS ANDETHICS

CANNOT

CO-EXIST



INDIA NEEDS

HONEST

BUREAUCRATS ± NOT EFFECTIVE

MANAGERS.



INDIA MUSTHAVE

DICTATORIALRULE IF IT IS TO

PROGRESSRAPIDLY

IF WE DON¶T ALLOW



IF WE DON¶T ALLOW

FOREIGN INVESTMENT,THE ECONOMY DIES ±

IF WE ALLOW FOREIGNINVESTMENT,

DOMESTIC INDUSTRYDIES



THE CRAZE FOR

MANAGEMENTEDUCATION IN INDIACAN BE ATTRIBUTED

ALMOST ENTIRELY TOTHE FACT THAT IT

PROVIDES HIGHLYPAID JOBS



SHOULD THE

MEDICAL

PROFESSION BE

BROUGHT UNDER

THE CONSUMER

PROTECTION ACT?



INDIANS AREEXCELLENT

INDIVIDUALWORKERS BUT POOR

TEAM MEMBERS.



THE FURTHER

BACK WARD YOU

LOOK, THE FARTHER

FOR WARD YOU CAN

SEE.



INDIA SHOULD SHIFT ITSFOCUS FROMINFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY (IT) TOINFRASTRUCTURE AND

FROM COKE TOCOOKING OIL.

Documents

Everything You Wanted to Know About GDs - But Were Afraid to Ask