Group Discussion - ISTE

8/4/2019 Group Discussion - ISTE

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Indian Society for Technical Education

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT

GROUP DISCUSSION


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Types of GD

GDs can be topic-based orcase-based.

Topic based Gds can be classified into three types :-

1. Factual Topics2. Controversial Topics3. Abstract Topics

Factual Topics:-

Factual topics are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life.Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have been in thenews lately, or could be unbound by time. A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance toprove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment.E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State of the aged in the nation.

Controversial Topics:-Controversial topics are the ones that are argumentative in nature. They are meant to generatecontroversy. In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is usually high, there maybe tempers flying. The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate isdisplaying by keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of view withoutgetting personal and emotional.

E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers

Abstract Topics:-Abstract topics are about intangible things. These topics are not given often for discussion, but theirpossibility cannot be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.

E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10

Case-based Gd:-Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic.The case study tries to simulate a real-life situation. Information about the situation will be given to youand you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation. In the case study there are no incorrectanswers or perfect solutions. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation fromvarious angles.IIM A, IIM Indore and IIT SOM Mumbai have a case-based discussion rather than topic-based discussionin their selection procedures.


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Why do we have GD ?

Reasons for having a GD

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

Strategies for Improving GD Skills for Tutorials & Seminars

Asking questions and joining in discussions are important skills for university study. If you find itdifficult to speak or ask questions in tutorials, try the following strategies.

Observe

Attend as many seminars and tutorials as possible and notice what other students do. Ask yourself:

y How do other students make critical comments?y How do they ask questions?y How do they disagree with or support arguments?y What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are voicing disagreement?y How do they signal to interrupt, ask a question or make a point?

Practice

Start practicing your discussion skills in an informal setting or with a small group. Start with askingquestions of fellow students. Ask them about the course material. Ask for their opinions. Ask for

information or ask for help.

Participate

Take every opportunity to take part in social/informal discussions as well as more structured/formaldiscussion. Start by making small contributions to tutorial discussions; prepare a question to ask, or agreewith another speaker's remarks.


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Discussion Etiquette (or minding your manners)

Do

y Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.y Respect the contribution of every speaker.y Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to disagree politely.y Think about your contribution before you speak. How best can you answer the question/

contribute to the topic?

y Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant information.y Be aware of your body language when you are speaking.y Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.

Don't

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

appear aggressive.y Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to contribute.y Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote. Although some tutors encourage students to

reflect on their own experience, remember not to generalise too much.

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

You may be in a seminar group that requires you to lead a group discussion, or lead a discussion after an

oral presentation. You can demonstrate leadership by:

yintroducing yourself and the members of the group

y stating the purpose of the discussiony inviting quiet group members to speaky being objectivey summarizing the discussion

Chairing a Group Discussion

When chairing a discussion group you must communicate in a positive way to assist the speakers inaccomplishing their objective. There are at least four leadership skills you can use to influence other

people positively and help your group achieve its purpose. These skills include:

y introducing the topic and purpose of the discussion,y making sure all members have approximately the same time, (i.e. no one dominates the

discussion by taking too much time)y thanking group members for their contributiony being objective in summarizing the group's discussion and achievements.


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How to Face GD ?

A group discussion consists of:

1. Communication Skills2. Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject3. Capability to co-ordinate and lead4. Exchange of thoughts5. Addressing the group as a whole6. Thorough preparations

Communication Skills

The first aspect is one's power of expression. In a group discussion, a candidate has to talkeffectively so that he is able to convince others. For convincing, one has to speak forcefully andat the same time create an impact by his knowledge of the subject. A candidate who is successful

in holding the attention of the audience creates a positive impact.

It is necessary that you should be precise and clear. As a rule evaluators do not look for thewordage produced. Your knowledge on a given subject, your precision and clarity of thought arethe things that are evaluated. Irrelevant talks lead you nowhere. You should speak as much asnecessary, neither more nor less. Group discussions are not debating stages.

Ability to listen is also what evaluators judge. They look for your ability to react on what otherparticipants say. Hence, it is necessary that you listen carefully to others and then react orproceed to add some more points. Your behavior in the group is also put to test to judgewhether you are a loner or can work in a group.

You should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily and convincingly before a groupof people. Confidence and level headedness in doing so is necessary. These add value to yourpresentation. In case you are not good at it, you might gain by joining an institute that offersspecialized courses in public speaking. For instance, British Council Division's EnglishLanguage Teaching Centre offers a wide range of courses like conversation skills, businesscommunication skills, business writing, negotiation skills and presentation skills. Mostly peopleattend these courses to improve their communication skills. Students here are involved inactivities which use communication skills and teachers provide inputs, monitor and facilitate theclasses. The course at the Centre makes you confident enough to speak before people withoutany nervousness.

Knowledge and Ideas Regarding a Given Subject

Knowledge of the subject under discussion and clarity of ideas are important. Knowledge comesfrom consistent reading on various topics ranging from science and technology to politics. In-depth knowledge makes one confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes onesound convincing and confident.


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Leadership and Coordinating Capabilities

The basic aim of a group discussion is to judge a candidate's leadership qualities. The examinerwithdraws and becomes a silent spectator once the discussion starts. A candidate should displaytactfulness, skill, understanding and knowledge on varied topics, enterprise, forcefulness and

other leadership qualities to motivate and influence other candidates who may be almost equallycompetent.

Exchange of Thoughts

A group discussion is an exchange of thoughts and ideas among members of a group. Thesediscussions are held for selecting personnel in organisations where there is a high level ofcompetition. The number of participants in a group can vary between 8 and 15. Mostly a topic ora situation is given to group members who have to discuss it within 10 to 20 minutes.

The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their

skills, which normally cannot be evaluated in an interview. These skills may be teammembership, leadership skills, listening and articulation skills.

A note is made of your contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, therapport you strike, patience, assertion, accommodation, amenability, etc. Body language and eyecontact too are important points which are to be considered. .

Addressing the Group as a Whole

In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone by name. Even otherwise you may notknow everyone's names. It better to address the group as a whole.

Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you everyone else too can. Needless to add,as for the interview, attend the group discussion in formal dress. The language used should alsobe formal, not the language used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like"yar", "chalta hai", "CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a highsounding, pedantic language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and simple language.Hinglish, (mixture ofHindi and English) should be discarded.

Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are of help. See that you do not keeprepeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not be superfluous. Try to bespecific. Do not exaggerate.

Thorough Preparation

Start making preparations for interview and group discussions right away, without waiting till theeleventh hour, this is, if and when called for them. Then the time left may not be adequate. It isimportant to concentrate on subject knowledge and general awareness. Hence, the prime need forthorough preparation. Remember, the competition is very tough. Only 460 candidates make it tothe final list from 2.75 lakh civil service aspirants each year.


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It may so happen that you are called for interviews and group discussions from three or fourorganizations but are not selected by any. The reason obviously lies in your not being well-prepared.

In a group discussion you may be given a topic and asked to express your views on it. Or in a

case study GD, students have to read a case study and suggest ways of tackling the problem. Forthis you should have a good general knowledge, need to be abreast with current affairs, shouldregularly read newspapers and magazines. Your group behaviour and communication skills areon test, i.e. how you convince the others and how clearly you are able to express your points ofview. You should be articulate, generate ideas, not sound boring, should allow others to speak,and adopt a stand on a given subject. During the course of the GD this stand can even bechanged, giving the impression that you are open to accommodate others' viewpoints.

Additional marks may be given for starting or concluding the discussion.

Points to Remember

y Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading habits has more chances ofsuccess. In other words, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, finance,economy, science and technology is helpful.

y Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others.y Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality.y If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack

of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt thewait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to comeup with a point or two later.

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

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

y Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward.y Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to score by increasing your size, not

by cutting others short.y Maintain rapport with fellow participants. Eye contact plays a major role. Non-verbal

gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone's viewpointspeak of you positively.

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


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GD FAQ's

What is the normal duration of a GD?A GD is generally of 15-20 minutes duration.

How many panel members are there to evaluate?There are usually 3-4 panel members to evaluate.

Is there time given for preparation after the topic is given and before starting the GD?Usually some time (2-5 minutes) is given to collect one's thoughts, but there could be instanceswhen this does not happen, so it is best not to bank on this.

Should I address the panel or the group members?Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members. The GD is between you and theother members, not the panel members. You must avoid even looking at the panel memberswhile the GD is in progress. Just ignore their existence.

What is the seating arrangement like?It could be semi-circular, or circular, or seating along side a rectangular table, depending uponthe venue. It is best not to bother about trivial issues like this, which you have no control over.

How should I address the other group members?If you are initiating the discussion, you could do so by collectively addressing the group as"Friends". Subsequently, you could use names (if the group has had a round of self-introductionprior to starting the discussion and you remember the names) or simply use pronouns like "he" or"she".

Suppose I have a lot to say on the topic, should I say all of it?You would not be looked upon favourably if you kept speaking all the time and did not listen toanyone else. Contrary to the misconception, the person who talks the most is not necessarily theone who is judged the best. The quality and not the quantity of your contribution is the successfactor.

Should I encourage others to speak up?Do not directly put someone who is consistently silent on the spot by asking him/her to speak up.If someone has been trying to speak and has a good point but is cut off constantly, you mayencourage him/her to continue with her point as you would like to hear her out.

Are the group members supposed to keep track of the time or will the panel keep track?It would be good if you are conscious of the time, but not to the point of getting so distractedlooking at your watch that you do not contribute to the discussion.

Are we allowed to carry a piece of paper during the GD for noting down important points?Normally you are, but there may be instances when it is specifically forbidden to carry paper.


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Is there any particular seating arrangement, which is favourable to the participants?If participants are asked to sit in a circle or a semi circle, one position is as good as another. Butif you are asked to sit on either side of a rectangular table, then choose a position as close to thecentre as possible.

Should we begin the GD by appointing a leader amongst ourselves?No. You should not. Leadership in a GD is established implicitly through one's performance in aGD.

Should we distribute the total time available to all the participants to ensure that

everybody gets a chance to speak?Since a GD is not a debate or elocution, the participants should not resort to the strategy ofdistributing time amongst themselves.

Can we take a definite stand in the GD and then later on during the GD, switch over to

another stand?

Yes, provided you do it the right way. In a GD it is quite likely that some other participant'scounter-argument convinces you to your point. If this happens, then it is best if you accept hisargument and explain to the group how your previous argument was true within a narrow range,and how the new argument is applicable to a broader range. Naturally, it is safer not to make anyrash statements for or against a topic before you learn the facts of the argument. Blindly taking astand will definitely lead you to trouble. This does not mean you should sit on the fence. Youmay participate actively by pointing out both sides of the issue in a reasonable and logicalmanner.

If we do not understand the meaning of the topic, should we ask the moderator to explain it

to us?

No. You cannot. Instead of displaying your ignorance in this manner, it is better to wait for someother participant to explain the meaning of the topic. So listen to the discussion carefully for thefirst few minutes and when you have figured out what the topic is about, start participating in thediscussion.

Should we address the other participants by their names or their assigned numbers?As far as possible, you should try and avoid names or numbers. It is better to use pronouns suchas "he", "she", "you" etc. while referring to the members of the group.

Are we expected to stick to the normally accepted line of thought or can we come up with

something radical?By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity and originality. Just make sure it isrelevant to the topic.

If I feel strongly about an issue, should I voice my feelings?It is important to be cool and emotionally objective in a GD. If you react emotionally you arelikely to lose control over yourself during the group discussion. You have to be calm and logical,not emotional in a GD.


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Can I use technical terms or jargon, which is clear to me, but not to the group?If you have to use technical terms, please do not use abbreviations. After mentioning the term infull take time out to explain to the group what it means. It is quite likely that other participants ofthe group have a different academic background from you, and you should make sure you are allon a level playing field.

Do I begin my participation by requesting the group's permission to do so?It is not likely that you will get a chance to ask for such permission. It may also go against you(as appearing weak on your part).

What is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that I am heard properly? In any GD, there are crests and troughs during the discussion. The crest is when the noise level isat its peak. The trough is when there is almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter the GDduring the trough period. But in competitive GDs, the crests occur more often and troughs maynot occur at all. In such cases, you could identify the stages in the GD, where ideas dear to youare being discussed and enter the GD irrespective of the noise level.

How do I participate when the noise level is too high?You could try the following strategy - Identify the most powerful speaker in the group, and notedown the points that he/she is making. The moment the noise level reduces a little, entersupporting the powerful speaker. You will have made a strong ally who will carry you throughthe noise.

Do I have to be cautious about other participants' feelings (on sensitive issues like religion,

caste etc)?You certainly do. Insensitivity to others displays a lack of maturity and viciousness. It will actagainst your favour.

Is it beneficial to be the first speaker in a group discussion? Being the first speaker is a high risk, high return strategy. If you can make a good openingstatement, which is relevant and sets the tone for the GD, it will go in your favour. If you do thiswell, you may automatically become the group leader. However if you bungle it up (by speakingfor the sake of speaking, not really having anything pertinent to say), it will be remembered andwill go against your favour.

How critical is my fluency in English to my performance?Command over English is certainly advantageous but will not compensate for lack of goodcontent. If your content is good, then even if your English might not be great, you must speak itout, rather than be inhibited by lack of good English. You will get credit for soundness of ideas.

How necessary is it to use examples for illustrating an idea?Use of examples is helpful in elaborating your point, and helping others understand your ideabetter. But please remember to keep it short and simple because in a competitive GD nobody hasthe patience to listen to long, drawn out examples.


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How much or for how long should I participate?In a 20 minute GD with 10-12 participants, you should try and participate at least 4 times witheach entry lasting at least 25-30 seconds. You could participate more depending on your comfortlevel and the need for participation.

Is it good to be humorous in a GD?Depends on the situation. In a GD that is fairly relaxed, it may be acceptable. But in acompetitive situation, where the participants are tensed up, your attempts at humour may fall flat.

Should we make an interim summary?An interim summary is a way of directing the group mid-way through the GD. It helps the groupto pick out and focus on the most important points and thus use the remaining time moreeffectively. However it is not necessary to make an interim summary, if the discussion is alreadywell focused.

What do I do if someone else has already said what I wanted to say?

You have two choices:

1. Agree with the point made by that person and add on to it by displaying the applicabilityof the argument to different situations. By doing this you will have broadened the scopeof the argument.

2. Drop the point and think of fresh points.To avoid getting into a situation where someone else has already spoken your points, dospeak up in the first 4-5 minutes of the GD. If you wait longer, it is almost inevitable thatsomeone would have spoken your points.

Is the use of slang/colloquialism permitted?

It is best to avoid using slang.

Can I use a language other than English to drive home my point?No. You will have to stick to English.

How is aggression taken and measured in a GD?The moment you notice people reacting to you negatively or strongly, you may take it that youare being too aggressive. The degree of the reaction is the measure of your aggression.

What level of aggression is seen acceptable?There is a very thin line between aggression and assertiveness. You should always aim to sound

assertive and not stubborn.

Is it true that the person who speaks the most in a GD is the one who is most successful?This is a myth. Generally the person who has a sound knowledge of the topic and is a clearthinker speaks more. This leads the students into believing that whoever speaks most issuccessful. But just speaking for the sake of speaking will not take you far.


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Will I be quizzed about my (or others) participation in the GD?You may be. Therefore it helps to be alert all through the GD.

Is it true that the GD is used more as an elimination technique rather than as a selection

tool?

Depends on the institute. In most premier institutes it is used as a selection tool, not as anelimination technique.

What is the level of accuracy desired in the facts and figures you quote during the GD?An error margin of 5% is acceptable.

Is motivating other people in the group to speak looked upon favourably?Depends on how it is done. If you openly request someone to speak, you may be putting theother person in a difficult spot, and the evaluators will not look that upon favourably. It istherefore better to use other means of motivation, such as agreeing with a halting speaker, addingon to their points, implicitly supporting and giving them direction.

Does the moderator have any biases or preconceived notions about the topic?Ideally the moderator is supposed to be unbiased and neutral. But being a human being, themoderator cannot be totally free from bias. Since this is not a factor within your control, thereisn't much point losing sleep over it.

Can we expect the moderator to stop or cut short the GD much before the stipulated time is

over?This may happen if the GD becomes too noisy and if the level of discussion deterioratesabysmally.

Can I be aggressive with a lady participant?A GD is not the place to demonstrate chivalry. Being rude to any participant (male or female) isdownright unacceptable. You need not extend any special privileges to a lady.

Is it all right to ask pointed questions to other participants during a GD?It is alright to ask questions for the purpose of clarification but not for the purpose of playing thedevil's advocate and proving them wrong. By playing the devil's advocate you hamper the flowof the GD. The pointed questions unsettle the other participant and the quality of the GDdeteriorates. This would reflect badly on you and will go against your favour.

Is it necessary that a group should arrive at a conclusion in the stipulated time?

Ideally a group is supposed to reach a conclusion. Normally the time constraints do not allow thegroup to do so.

Is an end-summary absolutely essential?No. If the group has not reached a conclusion, then it would be good if someone puts the wholediscussion into perspective by summarizing. But if there isn't sufficient time, a summary may beavoided.


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Do we have to write a synopsis of the GD once it is over? Some institutes insist on this, but it is not universal.

Is voting an acceptable method of reaching a consensus?Certainly not. A GD is not a debate.

How should a group select a topic if asked to?The group should brainstorm for about two minutes and narrow down the list of topics to 3-4.After this the group should prioritize them based on the comfort level and ease of discussion ofthe topics. This could be done by asking each participant to rank the 4 topics and the mostpopular choice should be taken.

Are the topics decided on the basis of the academic background of the participant?No. Topics are usually general in nature to give a level playing field to everyone.

What do I do if one member is very stubborn and aggressive?

You could use any of the following methods.

y Ignore him and address the other members of the group.y Be assertive and tell him that his argument is faulty.y Point out to him that his point is well taken and that the group must progress further by

discussing the ideas presented by others.

What are the acceptable ways of interrupting somebody else, so that I may make my point?You can interrupt in any of the following ways:

y "Excuse me, but I feel that what you are saying isn't universally true ..."y

"Yes, I agree with your idea, and I would like to add on to it "y "Yes, I think you are right when you say that, but could you clarify what if "


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GD Tips

1. Initiation Techniques2. Body of the group discussion3. Summarization/ Conclusion

Initiation Techniques

y Initiating 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 theattention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.

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

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

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

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

Body of the group discussion

y Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:i. Quotesii. Definitioniii. Questioniv. Shock statementv. Facts, figures and statisticsvi. Short storyvii. General statement

i. Quotes

Quotes are an effective way of initiating a GD.

If the topic of a GD is: Should the CensorBoard be abolished?, you could start with aquote like, 'Hidden apples are always sweet'.

For a GD topic like, Customer is King, you could quote Sam (Wall-mart) Walton's


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famous saying, 'There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in thecompany -- from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.'

ii. Definition

Start a GD by defining the topic or an important term in the topic.

For example, if the topic of the GD is Advertising is a Diplomatic Way of Telling a Lie,why not start the GD by defining advertising as, 'Any paid form of non-personalpresentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services through mass media likenewspapers, magazines, television or radio by an identified sponsor'?

For a topic like The Malthusian Economic Prophecy is no longer relevant, you could startby explaining the definition of the Malthusian Economic Prophecy.

iii. Question

Asking a question is an impact way of starting a GD.

It does not signify asking a question to any of the candidates in a GD so as to hamper theflow. It implies asking a question, and answering it yourself.

Any question that might hamper the flow of a GD or insult a participant or play devil'sadvocate must be discouraged.

Questions that promote a flow of ideas are always appreciated.

For a topic like, Should India go to war with Pakistan, you could start by asking, 'Whatdoes war bring to the people of a nation? We have had four clashes with Pakistan. Thepertinent question is: what have we achieved?'

iv. Shock statement

Initiating a GD with a shocking statement is the best way to grab immediate attention andput forth your point.

If a GD topic is, The Impact of Population on the Indian Economy, you could start with,'At the centre of the Indian capital stands a population clock that ticks away relentlessly.It tracks 33 births a minute, 2,000 an hour, 48,000 a day. Which calculates to about 12million every year. That is roughly the size of Australia. As a current political slogan putsit, 'Nothing's impossible when 1 billion Indians work together'.'

v. Facts, figures and statistics

If you decide to initiate your GD with facts, figure and statistics, make sure to quote themaccurately.


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Approximation is allowed in macro level figures, but micro level figures need to becorrect and accurate.

For example, you can say, approximately 70 per cent of the Indian population stays in

rural areas (macro figures, approximation allowed).

But you cannot say 30 states of India instead of 28 (micro figures, no approximations).

Stating wrong facts works to your disadvantage.

For a GD topic like, China, a Rising Tiger, you could start with, 'In 1983, when Chinawas still in its initial stages of reform and opening up, China's real use of Foreign DirectInvestment only stood at $636 million. China actually utilized $60 billion of FID in 2004,which is almost 100 times that of its 1983 statistics."

vi. Short story

Use a short story in a GD topic like, Attitude is Everything.

This can be initiated with, 'A child once asked a balloon vendor, who was selling heliumgas-filled balloons, whether a blue-colored balloon will go as high in the sky as a green-colored balloon. The balloon vendor told the child, it is not the color of the balloon butwhat is inside it that makes it go high.'

vii. General statement

Use a general statement to put the GD in proper perspective.

For example, if the topic is, Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India?, youcould start by saying, 'Before jumping to conclusions like, 'Yes, Sonia Gandhi should be',or 'No, Sonia Gandhi should not be', let's first find out the qualities one needs to be a agood prime minister of India. Then we can compare these qualities with those that Mrs.Gandhi possesses. This will help us reach the conclusion in a more objective andeffective manner.'

Summarization/ Conclusion

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

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


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

1. Avoid raising new points.2. Avoid stating only your viewpoint.3.

Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.4. Keep it brief and concise.

5. It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD.6. If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has come to an end.7. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.


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GD Do's

y Do's1. 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 thediscussion will be in vain.

8. Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms are more likelyto reflect your attitude than what you say.

9. Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points acrossclearly and fluently.

10.Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion andanalysis.

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: Ì strongly object' or Ìdisagree'. Instead try phrases like: Ì would like to share my views on' or Ònedifference 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 (thissurely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear whatthe 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 donot be abrasive or aggressive.

14.If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion whereyou 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 alertnessand presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team withoutalienating certain members, and creativity.


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GD Preparation

While selection tools and techniques like tests, interviews etc. provide good data about anindividual, they fall short in providing real life data of how an individual would be performing ina real life situation especially a group situation. Team work being an integral part of the BPO

work profile, it is important to ascertain group and inter-personal qualities of an individual.Group discussion is a useful tool to ascertain these qualities and many organizations use GDs asa selection tool along with Personal Interviews, aptitude tests etc. A GD is an activity where

y Groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group, and are given a specificsituation to analyse and discuss within a given time limit, which may vary betweentwenty minutes and forty-five minutes, or

y They may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problemy They may be given a topic and are asked to discuss the same

1. Preparing for a Group Discussion: While GD reflects the inherent qualities of an individual,

appearing for it unprepared may not augur well for you. These tips would help you prepare forGDs:

Reading: This is the first and the most crucial step in preparation. This is a never ending processand the more you read, the better you are in your thoughts. While you may read anything toeverything, you must ensure that you are in good touch with current affairs, the debates and hottopics of discussion and also with the latest in the IT and ITES industry. Chances are the topicswould be around these. Read both for the thoughts as well as for data. Also read multiple viewpoints on the same topic and then create your point of view with rationale. Also create answersfor counter arguments for your point of view. The electronic media also will be of good use here.

Mocks: Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss and exchange feedback. Thisis the best way to prepare. This would give you a good idea about your thoughts and how wellcan you convince. Remember, it is important that you are able to express your thoughts well. Thebetter you perform in these mocks the better would be you chances to perform on the final day.Also try to interact and participate in other GD groups. This will develop in you a skill to discusswith unknown people as well.

2. During the Group Discussion:

What do the panelists assess:Some of the qualities assessed in a GD are:

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

Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expressionand aptness of language. One key aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodateothers views.


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

Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from multipleperspectives.

GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to make yourpoint in a team-based environment.

These are some of the sub-skills that also get assessed with the skills mentioned above:

y Clarity of thoughty Group working skills (especially during a group task of case study discussion)y Conflict handlingy

Listening and probing skillsy Knowledge about the subject and individual point of viewy Ability to create a consensusy Openess and flexibility towards new ideasy Data based approach to decision making

While, it is not possible to reflect all these qualities in a short time, you would do well if you areable to show a couple or more qualities and avoid giving negative evidence on others.


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GD Mistakes

Here's a list of the most common mistakes made at group discussions:

Emotional outburst

Rashmi was offended when one of the male participants in a group discussion made a statementon women generally being submissive while explaining his point of view. When Rashmi finallygot an opportunity to speak, instead of focussing on the topic, she vented her anger by accusingthe other candidate for being a male chauvinist and went on to defend women in general.

What Rashmi essentially did was to

Deviate from the subject

Treat the discussion as a forum to air her own views.

Lose objectivity and make personal attacks.

Her behaviour would have been perceived as immature and demotivating to the rest of the team.

Quality Vs Quantity

Gautam believed that the more he talked, the more likely he was to get through the GD. So, heinterrupted other people at every opportunity. He did this so often that the other candidates gottogether to prevent him from participating in the rest of the discussion.

Assessment is not only on your communication skills but also on your ability to be a teamplayer.

Evaluation is based on quality, and not on quantity. Your contribution must be relevant.

The mantra is "Contributing meaningfully to the team's success." Domination is frowned upon.

Egotism Showing off

Krishna was happy to have got a group discussion topic he had prepared for. So, he took pains toproject his vast knowledge of the topic. Every other sentence of his contained statistical data -

"20% of companies; 24.27% of parliamentarians felt that; I recently read in a Jupiter Reportthat..." and so on so forth. Soon, the rest of the team either laughed at him or ignored his attemptsto enlighten them as they perceived that he was cooking up the data.

Exercise restraint in anything. You will end up being frowned upon if you attempt showing-offyour knowledge.

Facts and figures need not validate all your statements.


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Its your analysis and interpretation that are equally important - not just facts and figures.

You might be appreciated for your in-depth knowledge. But you will fail miserably in yourpeople skills.

Such a behavior indicates how self-centered you are and highlights your inability to work in anatmosphere where different opinions are expressed.

Get noticed - But for the right reasons

Srikumar knew that everyone would compete to initiate the discussion. So as soon as the topic -"Discuss the negative effects of India joining the WTO" - was read out, he began talking. In hisanxiety to be the first to start speaking, he did not hear the word "negative" in the topic. Hebegan discussing the ways in which the country had benefited by joining WTO, only to bestopped by the evaluator, who then corrected his mistake.

False starts are extremely expensive. They cost you your admission. It is very important tolisten and understand the topic before you air your opinions.

Spending a little time analyzing the topic may provide you with insights which others may nothave thought about. Use a pen and paper to jot down your ideas.

Listen! It gives you the time to conceptualize and present the information in a better manner.

Some mistakes are irreparable. Starting off the group discussion with a mistake is one suchmistake, unless you have a great sense of humor.

Managing one's insecurities

Sumati was very nervous. She thought that some of the other candidates were exceptionallygood. Thanks to her insecurity, she contributed little to the discussion. Even when she was askedto comment on a particular point, she preferred to remain silent.

Your personality is also being evaluated. Your verbal and non verbal cues are being read.

Remember, you are the participant in the GD; not the evaluator. So, rather than evaluatingothers and your performance, participate in the discussion.

Your confidence level is being evaluated. Decent communication skills with good confidence isa must to crack the GDs.

Focus on your strengths and do not spend too much time thinking about how others are superioror inferior to you. It is easy to pick up these cues from your body language.


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Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading habits has more chances of success. Inother words, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, finance, economy, science andtechnology is helpful.

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

Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality.

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

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

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

disagreeing or remaining neutral.

Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward.

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

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

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

Documents

Group Discussion - ISTE