GROUP DISCUSSIONS
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
AgendaIntroduction & MethodologyEssential components of
group discussionPersonality manifestationCommunication
skillsKnowledgeLeadershipRole PlayersPositive and Negative
traitsMyths regarding group discussionSuggestionsSuccess in a group
discussionPractical suggestionsGenerating ideas for discussion
Introduction & MethodologyGroup discussion is used as a
variant of personality test for evaluating several candidates
simultaneously.It is simple, easy, time & cost effective.Group
of candidates
Essential Components for Group DiscussionFour essential
components of group discussion test are:
Personality manifestationCommunication
skillKnowledgeLeadership
Personality Manifestation
The various components of personality can be summed up
thusDressBodyTone and VoiceCountenanceMannersCommunication
Skills
Communication refers to sharing of ideas, facts and opinions.
The process of passing information from one person to another. A
bridge between peopleEffective communication is a salient feature
of a group discussion. An idea can be appreciated only when it is
expressed eloquently and effectively. A leader, an administrator, a
manager or an erudite scholar must posses the skills to put across
an idea in the clearest manner.Contd..Communication Barriers
Effective communication is often distorted by certain barriers.
In a group discussion, three kinds of barriers exist Personal
BarriersPrejudice and bias distort independent thinkingDevelop
rational stance and empirical approach to mattersPhysical
BarriersStammering, weak voice, mannerisms, physical debility,
etc.Either take care or another trait should hide the barriers.Lack
of active listeningStop talking, Be patient, Be attentive,
Empathize with speaker, Control your temper.Semantic barriersBad
choice of words, poor organization of ideas, etc.Have good
knowledge of general topics, Develop spoken language skills.
KnowledgeKnowledge is powerKnowledge of subject backed by common
sense will help you deal with any situation and win laurelsA
systematic reading of books, periodicals, etc in various areas is
recommendedTalks and speeches of experts will also help a great
deal.Keen observation and travelling also helps.
LeadershipMan is gregarious by nature and each group has a
leaderQualities of a leaderFunctional Ability Ability to work in
exemplary manner. It involves several
elementsKnowledgeEnergyEmotional
AbilityObjectivityEmpathyCommunication SkillIntegrityMoral
CourageContd..Coordination Ability Leader is the master of the art
of getting along with others and getting the best out of
them.Social Ability Ability to adjust with other individuals in the
group to fit in harmoniouslyMotivation By creating a rapport with
other individuals a leader can arouse a desire in others and
motivate them.
Role PlayersA candidate must play various roles in a group
discussion. They areInitiator An individual who initiates the
discussionInformer - An individual who have sound general knowledge
on any given topicIllustrator - An individual who can elaborate
points of others, make them relevant and develop his own
opinionsCoordinator An individual who can harmonize the dissenting
members of the groupOrienter An individual who displays the skills
of organizationPositive and Negative traitsPersonalityCommunication
SkillknowledgeLeadershipSmartnessFluencyDepthInitiativeCheerfulnessClarityRangeToleranceEnthusiasmLogicalityTeam
spiritKeennessCoherenceAnalytical
abilityPersuasivenessCuriosityEffectivenessDecisivenessParticipationCoordination
of thoughtsflexibilityPositive traitsContd.Negative
traitsPersonalityCommunication
SkillKnowledgeLeadershipShynessIncoherenceIgnoranceIntoleranceSluggishnessMutenessLack
of
ideasUnfriendlinessDiffidenceFumblingSuperficialitySelfishnessTimidityAggressivenessMental
powerRigidityRudenessDistractedIndecisivenessNervousnessAmorphousIncoherenceIsolationIndifferenceVaguenessTonal
povertyLack of analytical abilityMythsYou Should be AggressiveYou
Should Speak MoreYou Should Speak in FavorYou should Cut Down Your
OpponentsYou Should Make Others Agree to Your PointYou Should be an
Individual SpeakerYou Should Project Yourself in Style
SuggestionsBe smart, neatly dressed and confidentListen
activelyTake initiativeIn case of interruption, do so
gentlyModulate your toneThink and organize your ideasBe ready to
admit your mistakes. Do not react, shout, or bully othersBe
cooperativeNever try to bluffMaintain consistency in
opinionPractice group discussions
Success in a group discussionBe AssertiveA Patient ListenerRight
LanguageBe Analytical and Fact-orientedAccept CriticismMaximize
ParticipationRespect Other SpeakersShow Leadership AbilityBe
PrecisePractical suggestionsTopic Selection by the Participating
Group ItselfParticipate actively while selecting a topicSuggest a
topic that generates most pointsShould One Take a Stand either in
Favour or against the TopicEither of the stand can be taken or be
neutralHandle the situation intelligently and express your views
clearlyContd..How and when to Join Participation in the
DiscussionAt your earliest convenient chanceWhen the noise level of
speaker is lowWhen a speaker reaches his exhaustion pointWhen a
speaker is at a confusion pointWhen the speaker is weak and
soft-voiced
Generating ideas for discussionTo generate ideas on the topic
concerned is a very pertinent problem. Following 3 methods are
helpful
CAR Concept Analysis ResponseCPA Concerned Parties ApproachMPA
Multiple Perspectives Approach
Concept Analysis ResponseEvery topic has a concept behind it and
the concept is hidden within keywordsAnalyze the keywords to unfold
the conceptAnalysis of keywords may
includeAdvantagesDisadvantagesContextual Importance
Concerned Parties Approach
Most of the topics concern several parties or groupsApproach the
topic from the point of view of concerned parties to clarify the
implications of the topicAssess, explore, analyze and evaluate the
topic with respect to concerned parties points of views
Multiple Perspectives ApproachEvery topic has several dimensions
and several points of views/ perspectivesExplore the implications
of a topic
fromSocialEconomicCulturalPoliticalTechnologicalBiologicalSpiritualRitual
etc. perspectivesLooking at the topic from some of these angles
will help generate lot of ideasTHANK YOU
