GROUP DISCUSSIONGROUP DISCUSSIONPrepared by SwatiPrepared by Swati

Group Discussion (GD)Group Discussion (GD)

A GD is a methodology used by an A GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its members. In this methodology, desires in its members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic or a the group of candidates is given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes to think about situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then asked to discuss the same the same, and then asked to discuss the same among themselves for 15-20 minutes. among themselves for 15-20 minutes.

Some of the personality traits the GD is Some of the personality traits the GD is trying to gauge may include :-trying to gauge may include :-

Ability to work in a team               Ability to work in a team                Communication skills Communication skills

Reasoning abilityReasoning ability   Leadership skill   Leadership skill

InitiativeInitiative  Assertiveness  Assertiveness

FlexibilityFlexibility  Creativity  Creativity

Ability to think on ones feet Ability to think on ones feet

Why GDs:-Why GDs:-

Suitable for the organizationSuitable for the organization After testing your technical and conceptual skills in an After testing your technical and conceptual skills in an

exam, to get to know you as a person and gauge how exam, to get to know you as a person and gauge how well you will fit in the institute or in an organization, a well you will fit in the institute or in an organization, a person is put through the process of GD & Interview. person is put through the process of GD & Interview.

Team workTeam work The Group discussion tests how you function as a part The Group discussion tests how you function as a part

of a team. As a manager, you will always be working in of a team. As a manager, you will always be working in teams, as a member or as a leader. Therefore how you teams, as a member or as a leader. Therefore how you interact in a team becomes an important criterion for interact in a team becomes an important criterion for your selection. Managers have to work in a team and your selection. Managers have to work in a team and get best results out of teamwork. get best results out of teamwork.

Communication skills:Communication skills:

Companies conduct group discussion after the written test so as Companies conduct group discussion after the written test so as to check on your interactive skills and how good you are at to check on your interactive skills and how good you are at communicating with other people. communicating with other people.

GOALSGOALS

The GD is to check how you behave, participate and contribute in The GD is to check how you behave, participate and contribute in a group, how much importance do you give to the group objective a group, how much importance do you give to the group objective as well as your own, how well do you listen to viewpoints of others 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 and how open-minded are you in accepting views contrary to your own. own.

The aspects which make up a GD are verbal communication, non-The aspects which make up a GD are verbal communication, non-verbal behavior, conformation to norms, decision-making ability verbal behavior, conformation to norms, decision-making ability and cooperation. You should try to be as true as possible to these and cooperation. You should try to be as true as possible to these aspects. aspects.

TYPES OF GD :TYPES OF GD :

GDs can beGDs can be topic-based topic-based or or case-basedcase-based..

Topic based Gds can be classified into Topic based Gds can be classified into three types :-three types :-

1. Factual Topics1. Factual Topics2. Controversial Topics 2. Controversial Topics 3. Abstract Topics 3. Abstract Topics 

Factual Topics:-Factual Topics:-Factual topics are about practical things, which an Factual topics are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life. ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life.

Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have been in the news can be current, i.e. they may have been in the news lately, or could be unbound by time.lately, or could be unbound by time.

A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a

chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment.environment.

E.g.E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State of the aged in the nation.of the aged in the nation.

Controversial Topics:- Controversial Topics:- 

Controversial topics are the ones that are Controversial topics are the ones that are argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy.controversy.

In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying.flying.

The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate is displaying by keeping much maturity the candidate is displaying by keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of view without getting personal and his point of view without getting personal and emotional.emotional.E.g.E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers better managers

Abstract Topics:- Abstract Topics:- 

Abstract topics are about intangible Abstract topics are about intangible things. These topics are not given often things. These topics are not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out. These topics test your be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.lateral thinking and creativity.E.g.E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10little star, The number 10

Case-based GD:-Case-based GD:-

Another variation is the use of a case instead Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic.of a topic.The case study tries to simulate a real-life The case study tries to simulate a real-life situation. Information about the situation will be situation. Information about the situation will be given to you and you would be asked as a given to you and you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation. In the case study group to resolve the situation. In the case study there are no incorrect answers or perfect there are no incorrect answers or perfect solutions. The objective in the case study is to solutions. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation from get you to think about the situation from various angles. various angles.

Reasons for having a GD Reasons for having a GD 

It helps you to understand a subject more deeply. It helps you to understand a subject more deeply. It improves your ability to think critically. It improves your ability to think critically. It helps in solving a particular problem. It helps in solving a particular problem. It helps the group to make a particular decision. It helps the group to make a particular decision. It gives you the chance to hear other students' ideas. It gives you the chance to hear other students' ideas. It improves your listening skills. It improves your listening skills. It increases your confidence in speaking. It increases your confidence in speaking. It can change your attitudes.  It can change your attitudes. 

Discussion Etiquette (or Discussion Etiquette (or minding your manners)minding your manners)

Do’sDo’s

Speak pleasantly and politely to the group. Speak pleasantly and politely to the group. Respect the contribution of every speaker. Respect the contribution of every speaker. Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to

disagree politely. disagree politely. Think about your contribution before you speak. How best can you Think about your contribution before you speak. How best can you

answer the question/ contribute to the topic? answer the question/ contribute to the topic? Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant

information. information. Be aware of your body language when you are speaking. Be aware of your body language when you are speaking. Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting. Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.

Don'tDon't

Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument. Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument. Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch. Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch. Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like

finger pointing and table thumping can appear finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive. aggressive.

Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to contribute. allow quieter students a chance to contribute.

Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote. Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote. Although some tutors encourage students to reflect on Although some tutors encourage students to reflect on their own experience, remember not to generalise too their own experience, remember not to generalise too much. much.

Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak.  saying before you speak. 

A group discussion consists of:A group discussion consists of:

Communication Skills Communication Skills Knowledge and ideas regarding a given Knowledge and ideas regarding a given

subject subject Capability to co-ordinate and lead Capability to co-ordinate and lead Exchange of thoughts Exchange of thoughts Addressing the group as a whole Addressing the group as a whole Thorough preparations Thorough preparations

Points to RememberPoints to Remember Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading

habits has more chances of success. In other words, habits has more chances of success. In other words, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, finance, economy, science and technology is helpful. finance, economy, science and technology is helpful.

Power to convince effectively is another quality that Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others. makes you stand out among others.

Clarity in speech and expression is yet another Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality. essential quality.

If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to come up with a others, may be you would be able to come up with a point or two later. point or two later.

A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoided. A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoided.

A GD is not a debating stage. Participants should A GD is not a debating stage. Participants should confine themselves to expressing their viewpoints. In confine themselves to expressing their viewpoints. In the second part of the discussion candidates can the second part of the discussion candidates can exercise their choice in agreeing, disagreeing or exercise their choice in agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral. remaining neutral.

Language use should be simple, direct and straight Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward. forward.

Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to score by increasing your size, not by cutting others score by increasing your size, not by cutting others short. short.

Maintain rapport with fellow participants. Eye contact Maintain rapport with fellow participants. Eye contact plays a major role. Non-verbal gestures, such as plays a major role. Non-verbal gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone's viewpoint speak of you positively. someone's viewpoint speak of you positively.

Communicate with each and every candidate present. Communicate with each and every candidate present. While speaking don't keep looking at a single member. While speaking don't keep looking at a single member. Address the entire group in such a way that everyone Address the entire group in such a way that everyone feels you are speaking to him or her. feels you are speaking to him or her.

GD TipsGD Tips

Initiation Techniques Initiation Techniques Body of the group discussion Body of the group discussion Summarization/ Conclusion Summarization/ Conclusion

Initiation TechniquesInitiation Techniques Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.

When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.candidates.

If you can make a favourable first impression with your content If you can make a favourable first impression with your content and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you sail through the discussion.sail through the discussion.

But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable.and figures, the damage might be irreparable.

If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, it If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an initiator!initiator!

When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in-right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand. depth knowledge about the topic at hand.

Body of the group discussionBody of the group discussion

Different techniques to initiate a GD and Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:make a good first impression:

i. Quotesi. Quotesii. Definitionii. Definitioniii. Questioniii. Questioniv. Shock statementiv. Shock statementv. Facts, figures and statisticsv. Facts, figures and statisticsvi. Short storyvi. Short storyvii. General statementvii. General statement

Summarization/ ConclusionSummarization/ Conclusion

Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic. the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.

But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:discussion:   

Avoid raising new points. Avoid raising new points. Avoid stating only your viewpoint. Avoid stating only your viewpoint. Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD. Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD. Keep it brief and concise. Keep it brief and concise. It must incorporate all the important points that came out during It must incorporate all the important points that came out during

the GD. the GD. If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has

come to an end. come to an end. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized

What do the panelists What do the panelists assess:assess:

Some of the qualities assessed in a GD are:Some of the qualities assessed in a GD are:

Leadership Skills Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's objectives.objectives.

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.

Interpersonal SkillsInterpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any job. - People skills are an important aspect of any job. They are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of the They are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more people centric and interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more people centric and less self-centered.less self-centered.

Persuasive SkillsPersuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from multiple perspectives.problem from multiple perspectives.

GD MistakesGD Mistakes

Emotional outburstEmotional outburst No eye contactNo eye contact Quality vs. QuantityQuality vs. Quantity Bad communication skillsBad communication skills Addressing 1 or 2 personsAddressing 1 or 2 persons Interrupting when session is onInterrupting when session is on Bad initiationBad initiation

THE ENDTHE END