GROUP DISCUSSION Mrs. Nancy Prasanna Joseph

WHAT IS GROUP DISCUSSIONA GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its members.

PERSONALITY TRAITSAbility to work in a team  Communication skillsReasoning abilityLeadership skillsInitiativeAssertivenessFlexibilityCreativityAbility to think on ones feet

TYPESFactual TopicsControversial Topics Abstract Topics 

WHY DO WE HAVE GD?understand a subject more deeplyimproves your ability to think criticallysolving a particular problemgroup to make a particular decisionchance to hear other students' ideasimproves your listening skillsincreases your confidence in speakingchange your attitudes

What skills are judged in group discussion?How good you are at communication with othersHow you behave and interact with groupHow open minded are youYour listening skillsHow you put forward your viewsYour leadership and decision making skillsYour analysing skills and subject knowledgeProblem solving and critical thinking skillsYour attitude and confidence

Strategies for Improving GD SkillsObservePracticeParticipate Attend as many seminars and notice what other students do. Ask yourself:How do other students make critical comments? How do they ask questions? How do they disagree with or support arguments? What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are voicing disagreement? How do they signal to interrupt, ask a question or make a point?

Do’s Be as natural as possibleA group discussion is your chance to be more vocalTake time to organize your thoughtsSeek clarificationOpening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognitionYour body language says a lot about you

Do’sBe assertive not dominatingAlways be politeTry 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“Brush up on your leadership skillsMotivate the other members of the team to speak

Do’sApart 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.

Don’tsLose your temper. A discussion is not an argument.Shout.Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive.Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to contribute.

Don’tsDraw too much on personal experience.Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak.

How to face GD?A group discussion consists of:Communication Skills Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject Capability to co-ordinate and lead Exchange of thoughts Addressing the group as a whole Thorough preparations

Initiation Techniques Body of the group discussion Summarization/ Conclusion

GD Tips - Initiation TechniquesInitiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.If you can make a favourable first impression with your content and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you sail through the discussion.

GD Tips - Initiation TechniquesBut if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable.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 starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an initiator!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-depth knowledge about the topic at hand.

GD Tips - Body of the group discussionDifferent techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:i. Quotesii. Definition iii. Questioniv. Shock statementv. Facts, figures and statisticsvi. Short storyvii. General statement

GD Tips - Summarization/ ConclusionMost GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic. But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD.

Keep the following points in mind summarizing a discussion:Avoid raising new points. Avoid stating only your viewpoint. Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD. Keep it brief and concise. It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD. If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has come to an end. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.

THANK YOU