Group Discussion

Why Group Discussion?

Managing a real life situation Ability to work in a team

Interpersonal qualities

Listening and probing skills

Communication skills

Clarity of thought

Conflict handling

Knowledge about subject and individual point of view

Ability to create a consensus Openess and flexibility towards new ideas

Structure of a GD:

Initiation

Body of the group discussion

Summarization/conclusion

Initiation Techniques:

Quotes Definition Question Facts figures and statistics Short story General statement

Quotes:

Topic: should the censor board be abolished?

“Hidden apples are always sweet”

Topic: customer is king There is only one boss-the customer. He can fire

everybody in the company from the chairman or down the line, by simply spending his money somewhere else. (Sam Walton-wall mart)

Definition:

Topic: Advertising is a diplomatic way of telling a lie

Any paid form of non-personal presentation and

promotion of ideas, goods or services through mass media like news papers, magazines, television by an identified sponsor.

Question: Does not signify asking a question to hamper the flow or

insulting a participant

Implies asking a question and answering it yourself

Topic: should India go to war with Pakistan? what does war bring to the people of the nation? we

have had four clashes with Pakistan. The pertinent question is “what have we achieved?

Facts, Figures and Statistics:

Make sure you quote them accurately.

Wrong facts works to your disadvantage.

Approximation allowed on macro figures (70% of Indian population stays in villages)

No approximation on micro figures. They have to be correct and accurate.( Do not say 30 states of India instead of 29)

Short story:

Topic: Attitude is everything A boy once asked a balloon vendor selling helium

filled balloons. Which one will go high in sky-the blue balloon or the red balloon? The balloon vendor answered: It is not the color of the balloon, but what is inside that makes it go high.

General statement:

Topic: Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India?

Before jumping into conclusions, let us first analyze

the qualities a prime minister must possess. Then we will compare these with qualities Ms.Gandhi possesses. This will help us reach a conclusion.

But ….

Initiating GD is a high profit – high loss strategy. Initiator has the responsibility of putting the GD in

the right perspective or frame work.

Summarization techniques: GD’s do not really have conclusions. It is

summarized. Avoid raising new points Avoid stating only your view point Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of GD Keep it brief and concise Incorporate all important points which came out during

GD. Do not add anything else once the GD is summarized.

Tips:

Sound knowledge on topics like politics, finance, economy, science and technology. (Good reading habits).

Clarity in speech and expression.

Better not to initiate if you are not sure on the topic of discussion (Wait and watch attitude)

Use simple, direct and straight forward language. Avoid slang.

Do not try to be someone you are not.

Organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.

Do not lose your cool if any one says anything you object to.

GD is not a debating stage.

Maintain Rapport with fellow participants.

Communicate with each and every candidate present. Address the entire group

Tips:

Positive task roles in a GD:

Initiator Information seeker Information giver Procedure facilitator Tension Reliever Opinion seeker Opinion giver Clarifier Energizer Compromiser Summarizer

Negative roles to be avoided:

Disgruntled non-participant Attacker Dominator Patronizer Clown

GD mistakes:

Emotional outburst: Case study: Rashmi was offended when one of the male

participants in a group discussion made a statement on women generally being submissive while explaining his point of view. When Rashmi finally got an opportunity to speak, instead of focusing on the topic, she vented her anger by accusing the other candidate for being a male chauvinist and went on to defend women in general

Immature and de-motivating behavior

GD mistakes:

Quality Vs Quantity Case study:Gautam believed that the more he talked, the

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

He is not a team player Mantra is “Contributing meaningfully to the team's success”

GD mistakes: Egotism show off: Case study: Krishna was happy to have got a group

discussion topic he had prepared for. So, he took pains to project his vast knowledge of the topic. Every other sentence of his contained statistical data - "20% of companies; 24.27% of parliamentarians felt that; Soon, the rest of the team ignored his attempts to enlighten them as they perceived that he was cooking up the data.

Self centered inability to work in an atmosphere where different opinions are

expressed.

GD mistakes: Managing one’s insecurities: Case study: Sumati was very nervous. She thought that

some of the other candidates were exceptionally good. Thanks to her insecurity, she contributed little to the discussion. Even when she was asked to comment on a particular point, she preferred to remain silent.

You are the participant in the GD; not the evaluator. So

participate in GD. Low confidence level.

FAQs:

How do I take my chance to speak? Do not interrupt others while speaking. Maintain eye contact with the speaker.

Gauge from his eye movements and pitch of his voice when

he is about to close his inputs.

Quickly take it from there.

Try to link your inputs with what he has spoken by adding to or opposing his arguments

FAQs:

Do leadership skills include moderating the GD?

Ordering people when to speak and when not to reflect,s poor

leadership.

Do not be a self appointed moderator in the group Leadership in a GD - reflected by your clarity of thought, ability

to expand the topic in its different dimensions, listening to others and probing them to provide more information.

FAQs:

Quantity Vs Quality Success in GD doesn’t depend on how loudly you

speak

Express your views in the group clearly. Knowledge and participation in group matters.

Remember… Do not spend time thinking about how others are

superior or inferior to you

Organize your thoughts before you speak Keep cool

Confidence

Be yourself Focus

Thank you