GROUP DISCUSSION

1. METHODOLOGY
2. COMPONENTS
- Personality manifestation
- Communication skill
- Knowledge
- Leadership
3. THE ROLE PLAYERS
4. POSITIVE AND
NEGATIVE TRAITS
 GROUP DISCUSSION
CONCEPT : A GD is used widely as a variant of personality
Test for evaluating several candidates simultaneously. Infact,
it helps to shortlist candidates for the final interview.
Public Speaking : Here the audience merely judges a speaker
without competing with him. It listens to what the speaker
says but does not discuss the subject simultaneously with the
speaker.
Debate: A chairman presides over a debate, giving it a shape
and direction. The speakers are normally divided into two
groups- one speaking for the motion and the other speaking
against the motion.
Interview : Usually a board consisting of several members
evaluates a candidates suitability for the concerned job in the
course of the interview.
 COMPONENTS
PERSONALITY MANIFESTATION
1. Dress
2. Body Language
3. Tone and Voice
4. Countenance Manners
 COMPONENTS
COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication skill : Effective

communication is a salient feature of a group
discussion. An idea can be appreciated only
when it is expressed eloquently and
effectively. A leader, an administrator, a
manager or an erudite scholar must possess
the skills to put across an idea in the clearest
manner.
 COMPONENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge : In a GD, knowledge of the
subject concerned , backed by common sense
will help you deal with any situation and win
laurels.The greater your knowledge of the
subjects, the more interested, enthusiastic,
and confident will you be and the more fluent
and forceful would be your speech and
contribution to the discussion.
COMPONENTS : LEADERSHIP

Man is gregarious by
nature; he cannot,
normally, live alone.
He lives in a group
whatever its size and
name. The success of
the group depends, to
a large extent, on its
leader.
 CONCEPT : LEADER

The great man approach: Effective leadership can be learnt by

making a study of the lives of great persons.
Personality trait approach : There are certain personality
characteristics essential in a person in order to become a
leader. These traits are supposed to differentiate leaders from
non- leaders.Important traits are: Courage, Integrity, Loyalty,
Charisma, Ambition, Intelligence, Honesty, Persistence,
Arrogance, Good health, Political skill, Confidence& Vision.
The leader behaviour approach: The main emphasis is not on
who is the leader is but on what a leader does.Leadership
behaviour includes making decisions, giving directions,
showing identity with the group and loyalty to the
organization.
 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Functional Ability : means an ability to work in an exemplary
manner.
- Knowledge
- Energy
- Emotional Ability
- Empathy
- Communication Skill
- Integrity
- Moral Courage
Coordinating Ability: able to motivate and influence others.It
is not inborn trait but can be acquired and developed.
- Social Adaptability
- Motivation
 THE ROLE PLAYERS
1. Initiator : A good candidate should be able to
initiate the process of discussion.He can guide
the group in the way to begin and complete the
discussion process.
2. Illustrator : A good participant must be able to
elaborate or clarify points made by others, make
them relevant to the given topic, and develop his
own opinion
3. Informer : A good participant must have sound
general knowledge.Only then can he provide the
required information on any given topic to the
group.
4. Coordinator : A good participant must be able
to bring the dissenting members of the group to
some kind of agreement and be able to make
them participate in the discussion in a
disciplined manner.He must also gather the
divergent points raised by different participants
and relate them to the given topic.
5. Orienter : A candidate who possesses good
leadership attributes keeps the group directed
towards the goal.He displays his skills of
organisation through this role.Such a candidate
has the potential for helping to run an
organisation.
 POSITIVE TRAITS
PERSONALITY COMMUNICA- KNOWLEDGE LEADERSHIP
TION SKILL

Smartness Fluency Depth Initiative

Cheerfulness Clarity Range Tolerance

Enthusiasm Logicality Analytical Team spirit

ability
Keenness Coherence Coordination Persuasiveness
Of thoughts
Curiosity Effectiveness Decisiveness
& Flexibility
 NEGATIVE TRAITS
Personality Communicat Knowledge Leadership
e-ton Skill
Shyness Incoherence Ignorance Intolerance

Sluggishness Muteness Lack of ideas Unfriendliness

Diffidence Fumbling Superficiality Selfishness

Timidity Aggressiveness Mental poverty Rigidity

Rudeness & Amorphous & Lack of Indecisiveness

Indifference Vagueness Analytical And
ability Isolation
 SUCCESS IN A GD
1. Be Assertive: An assertive person is direct and honest
and careful about not hurting others self respect.Eye
contact is a means of expressing sincerity , while an
erect posture and direct body position may increase
the impact of the message.
2. A Patient Listener :Listening to another person is one
way of showing appreciation.
3. Right Language : Words can make friends and foes of
men.It is possible to disagree without sounding rude
or losing ones temper.
4. Be Analytical and Fact Oriented : It is necessary to
make relevant points which can be supported with
facts and analysed logically. Vague arguments do not
hold good in GD.
5. Accept Criticism : The criticism must be viewed
positively and if it carries weight, the person
making the point must be appreciated and
thanked. In case the criticism is flimsy, the same
can be pointed out politely.
6. Maximize Participation : Thus one must try to
contribute fully ,vigorously, and steadily
throughout the discussion. Silence may indicate
lack of initiative, information, and
communication skill.
7. Respect other speakers : It is impolite to laugh at
other participants and comment on their
ignorance or inability. A good candidate always
encourages the other members of his group
without making fun of their feelings.
8. Show Leadership Ability :Leadership is the
ability to persuade others to seek defined
objectives enthusiastically. It is the human factor
that binds a group together and motivates it
towards a goal. Leadership transforms the
potential into real.
9. Be Precise : It is important to express yourself
precisely and exactly without beating about the
bush or being verbose as a GD takes place in a
given time.
 GROUP DISCUSSION GENERAL
POINTS
1. Focused Preparation
2. Mock GD
3. General Awareness
4. Rules to Follow in a
GD
5. List of skills assessed
during a GD process
6. Important Tips for
GD
 FOCUSSED PREPARATION

1. Developing a power of conviction and

expression it is important to display abundant
confidence in your personality.
2. Fluency in spoken English is a must.
3. Develop a good grasp over general awareness
as most GD topics are based on current issues.
Keeping track of political and business events as
they happen everyday is critical in this
endeavour.
 MOCK GD

1. The best practice sessions are mock GDs. At

least once every week meet up with peers,
aspiring to make to B-Schools and organize
discussion sessions.
2. Choose a topic from amongst the leading
headlines for the week and time the sessions
over 30 minutes. Allow all in the group five
minutes to collect their ideas individually.
3. Nominate a observer to give feedback.
4. Mock discussions will build a lot of confidence.
 GENERAL AWARENESS

1. Most discussion topics relate to current issues.

Scan newspapers and magazines carefully.
Examiners prefer giving topics on burning
issues.
2. Be thorough with the Indian and World
economy, the process of liberalisation, social
issues and even political headlines at times come
to the fore.
3. Following events as they happen may not be an
easy task but with consistent efforts, one is
bound to succeed.
 Rules to follow in a GD
1. While participating in a GD, try and be amongst
the first three to speak up.
2. Do not try to hog the limelight by not allowing
others to speak would earn negative points.
3. During the discussion, do not try to pull your
peers down by raising your voice. Instead enter
into a healthy argument within the group if you
disagree with someone elses opinion.
4. Have an opinion and substantiate with reasons.
5. Sometimes each candidate is asked to sum up
the discussion briefly so be prepared.
List of skills Assessed during a GD process

1. Leadership skills.
2. Communication skills.
3. Interpersonal skills.
4. Persuasive skills.
5. Problem solving skills.
6. Conceptualizing skills.
7. Probable topics.
 IMPORTANT TIPS FOR GD
1. Be as natural as possible.
2. Take time to think of what you are going to say if
allowed, then jot down your thoughts.
3. Incase of doubt, ask for clarification.
4. Dont start speaking until you have clearly understood
and analysed the subject.
5. Work out various strategies to help you make an entry.
6. Give valuable insights during the discussion.
7. Language skills are important only to the effect as to
how you get your points clearly and fluently.
8. Be assertive not dominating.
9. Always be polite.
10. Brush up your leadership skills; motivate the other
members to speak, and listen to their views. Be receptive
to others opinions.