SNIST Copyright 2012 1

SNIST Soft Skills Program

6 Attitudes to Success

Unit III :Group Discussion

SNIST Copyright 2012 2

Unit 1 Soft Skills

Unit 2 Body Language

Unit 3 Group Discussions

Unit 4 Interview Skills

Unit 5 Etiquettes and Manners

Unit 6 Developing Positive Attitude

We are here

SNIST Copyright 2012 3

After the completion of this module, you will be able to:

Learn the importance of Group discussion

Know the traits tested for an individual

Identify your positives and opportunities from concept

How we attract other participants with leadership qualities

Learn to mange yourself to be prepared for an GD

Course Objectives

SNIST Copyright 2012 4

Introduction

Objective of GD

Traits tested in a GD

Skills required in GD

Consequences of GD

Elements of GD

Do’s and Don'ts of GD

Non verbal communication in GD

Points to remember

Further Readings

Content

Group Discussion

Generally knowing or unknowingly we interact many people in our

daily life. Consider an individual working in an organization spends

a considerable amount of time in groups.

Ability to work in teams has become more important than

knowledge of quantitative and statistical techniques.

“It is a process of examining or considering something in detail in a

group.”

‘It is a process of incorporating views of different team members to

reach a common goal.”

Introduction

Group discussion is an activity which helps the employer to observe

a number of the personality traits or attitude of the participants.

Let us have a glance on few of the observations:

It can change your attitude

It increases your confidence in speaking

Improves your listening skills and ability to think critically

Helps in solving the problem and decide on the solution

You can get well versed with the subject

Objective of Group discussion

To assess a candidate an employer tests on the following characters

Team Player:

In the beginning of one’s career, a person has to work in a

group and only at a later stage s\he starts working as a leader

independently.

Those who lack team skills cannot become a good leaders.

Reasoning Ability:

It shows your skills towards the way you have an idea and

opinions

Traits tested in Group Discussion

Leadership Qualities:

Its important aspect is, directing the group and learn to

facilitate the situations. Inspire individual and guide in coming to a

conclusion.

Flexibility:

You must be open to other’s ideas as well as to the evaluation

of your ideas. It is advised that you don’t start your group discussion

with a stand or conclusion, because you may have to change or alter.

Assertiveness:

Putting your views in a confident with a polite way, should

indicate that you are not aggressive.

Inspiring ability:

Try giving a chance to those who haven't got it, so, giving them a

chance to speak will attract the attention of both the participants and the

evaluator.

Listening:

Listening is an ability which shows how open you are to others ideas

and opinion.

Creativity:

Ty to think out of the box and where your ideas should be in such a

way that it must be appreciated

Communication Skills:

Expression is one important aspects of communication.

A candidate who is successful in holding the attention of the

audience creates a positive impact. One has to speak effectively

creating an impact by his knowledge.

Knowledge Sharing:

Knowledge of the subject under discussion and clarity of

ideas are important.IN-depth knowledge makes one confident and

enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and

confident.

Skills Required in a GD

Leadership and Coordinating capabilities:

Group discussions judges on leadership qualities also.

A candidate should display tactfulness,skills,understanding

and knowledge on varied topics, enterprise and other

leadership qualities to motivate and influence other

candidates who may be almost equally competent.

Exchange of thoughts:

It is a kind of knowledge sharing in a group.

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.

Consequences of GD

Let us see the positive and negative outcome.Positive outcome:

Increases motivation of members

Enhanced understanding of issues

Improved interpersonal relations

Enabling to take better decisions

Negative outcome:

Creation of ill feelings

Divides the group

Causes misunderstanding

Causes quarrel at times

Elements of GD

Initiating a discussion:

If you are familiar with the given topic, it would be wise

to initiate the discussion and exhibit your confidence and

knowledge of the subject like Quotes,definitions,questions,facts

and figures

Possessing requisite knowledge:

It provides an opportunity to capture the attention of the

participants and the organizer's

Communicating effectively:

It is important to have relevant and significant information

which can support you during your discussion

Role of Body Language:

Your body language coincides with your state of mind.

Your body language must send the right signals to coincide with

what you speak.

Maturity and mutual respect:

This talks about having respect for each other and

cooperation. When you demonstrate the mutual respect it shows

the maturity of the person.

Making an impact:

Having knowledge is not enough, one should know how to

present it, which creates an impact.

Technique of interruption:

One should know in GD’s we have short span of time

wherein we cannot interrupt as we like.

There are ways for it, like excuse me, can I add-on to what my friend

said etc which indicates you are not directly interrupting them.

Reaching Consensus:

Ones you are confident of the topic then it is required that

you must take an initiative to end the topic with some conclusion.

Do’s Don'ts(You should never)

Be yourself, do not pretend Lose your temper, do not make a discussion as an argument

Be good in your tone like audible to all and having all your thoughts in organized manner

Use too many gestures when speaking

Start the topic when you feel you have clearly understood

Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote

Be assertive, present well and maintain your maturity

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

Motivate the other members to participate demonstrating leadership qualities

Shout and never dominate the other person

Do’s and Don’t’s

Facial Expression:

Keep yourself relaxed and confident

Movements of Hands:

Slight movements are acceptable.

Pointing a figure to someone is not suggestible

Body Gestures:

Sit little leaning forward indicating that you are interested in

discussion whereas leaning backward represents disinterest

Non Verbal Communication in GD

Head Movements:

◦ Excessive nodding: You are experiencing anxiety

◦ Not moving: Disinterest in discussion

◦ Minimal nodding: Agreeing in a subtle manner

Eye contact:

Your eyes reflect the general state of mind, done

occasionally

Movements and gestures(Avoid):

Yawning

Tapping of feet

Touching of hair

Looking outside the window

Narrowing of eyes

Raised eyebrows

Fiddling with the objects(pen/ring/spectacles)

Lips biting

Knowledge is the strength. A candidate with the good leading habits has more chances of success

Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality

Language used should be simple, direct and straight forward and no slangs to be used

Don’t interrupt a speaker when a session is On

Communicate with every person present in discussion

Eye Contact, Gestures and Nodding plays a vital role

Points to remember

Mannerism-Style and Civilization by John Shearman

A thousand splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

The book thief by Markus Zusak

Soft Skills – Know Yourself & Know the World by Dr.K.Alex

Further Reading

SNIST Copyright 2012 23

Thank You