GROUP DISCUSSION

Group discussion is an activity where group

members learn through communicating and
interacting with each other.

WHY DO THEY CONDUCT GROUP DISCUSSION

To check the potential of the candidates to
work in a team
Number of persons with temperaments and
different field of specialization
To test your ability to co-exist with others.
To test of your interactive skills and how good
you are communicating with other people.
(The discussion involves an exchange of
thoughts and ideas among members of the
group)

Why GD?
Companys perspective--- Companies conduct group discussion after the written
test so as to check on your-- Interactive skills
How good you are at communicating with other people.
How you behave, participate and contribute in a group.
How much importance do you give to the group
objective as well as your own.
How well do you listen to viewpoints of others.
How open-minded are you in accepting views contrary
to your own.
The aspects which make up a GD are verbal
communication, non-verbal behavior, conformation to
norms, decision-making ability and co operation.

Preparation for GD?

GD reflects the inherent qualities of an individual.
READING: This is the first and the most crucial
step in preparation.
MOCKS: Create an informal GD group and meet
regularly to discuss and exchange feedback.

During the GD
Panelists assess on:
Leadership skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be
able to lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them
achieve the groups objectives.
Communication skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms
of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language.
Interpersonal skills People skills are an important aspect of
any job.
Persuasive skills The ability to analyze and persuade.
GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical
capabilities and your ability to make your point in a teambased environment.

SKILLS THAT REFLECTS

Clarity of thought
Group working skills (especially during
a group task of case study discussion)
Conflict handling
Listening and probing skills
Knowledge about the subject and
individual point of view
Ability to create a consensus
Openess and flexibility towards new
ideas
Data based approach to decision
making.

GROUP SIZE
The group size varies between 8 to 10
persons.
Members of the groups are seated in
circle or semi circle in the sequence of
their roll numbers.

Who monitor the discussion?

An officer, usually known as
evaluator or group testing officer
monitors the discussion
.
Who select the topic of discussion?
What type of topic is given?
What is the time limit for discussion?

TYPE OF GROUP MEMBERS YOU MAY

HAVE TO DEAL WITH
Quarrelsome person
Self-centered (How to spot them)
They block the group discussion
They are attention seekers
They are dominating in nature
Leaders (How to spot them)
They initiate group discussion
They encourage others to speak
They are good speakers
They clarify others points
They lead the group discussion in proper direction

WHAT DO THEY JUDGE IN THE GROUP DISCUSSION?

Managerial skills

Leadership skills
Communication skills
Persuasive skills
Interpersonal skills

HOW TO INTERRUPT OTHERS

SKILLFULLY
(Interrupt using the following words)

Thats good! However.

I agree. In addition..
Thats a great idea. But
I am glad that you have brought about this. In
fact
You are on the right track. Another important
point.
This point need further elaboration
Very correct. But I would add that.
That is right. But sometimes
Fine
You said it!
That is it!

NEVER USE THE FOLLOWING WORDS

TO INTERRUPT

That will never work.

That idea is not a practical one..
You are wrong
You do not know what you are talking
about..
That is ridiculous..
What are you talking about?
Why are you so confused?
We are talking about something else..

HOW TO HANDLE AWKWARD

SITUATIONS

No idea about the topic

Unanswerable questions
Side conversation
Repetition
Irrelevant discussion
When someone is interrupting you
again and again
When someone refutes your statement.

COMMON MISTAKES AT GROUP

DISCUSSION

More quantity but no quality

Uncontrolled emotions
Showing off Excessive Knowledge.
He got noticed but for the wrong
reasons
He failed to manage his insecurities.
Excuse me!

TIPS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN GD

Always enter with a pen and paper.

Always enter the group and not an individual.
Encourage the person who wants to speak.
Do not encourage the persons who doesnt want to
speak.
Listen to others.
Display original ideas.
Interrupt only by agreeing and never by disagreeing.
Do not speak too less or too much.
Keep yourself cool.

Respect contrary view point

Do not try to appoint a leader.
Utilize the time efficiently
Difficulty presents an
opportunity
Be different.
Find the remedy.

 LUCKY means who get the opportunity!

BRILLIANT means who create the
opportunity!
WINNER means who use the opportunity!
BE A WINNER - ALL THE BEST.

GD TOPICS

Is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector good for India?

How to Deal with High Oil Prices?
Multinational Corporations: Are they Devils in Disguise?
Are Indians Less Quality Conscious?
Ethics in Business are just a Passing Fad Is the Consumer really
the King in India?
Commercialization of Health Care: Good or Bad?
Is there any Point in having a Business Strategy when the World
changes from Month to Month?
Is the Patents Bill Good for India?
Is the Business of Business only Business?

Is India a Soft Nation?

Should Research on Human Cloning be banned?
Should Sting Operations be Carried Out?
Nuclear War cannot be won and should not be fought
Is Swapping Terrorists for Hostages an Encouragement to
Plane-Hijackers?
Brain-Drain has to be stopped
Doctors' Accountability to Improve Health-Care
Universal Disarmament is a Must
Is India Aping the Western Obsession with Celebrities?
India at 60: A Senior Citizen?
Unrest in Countries around India
Flexi Timings or Fixed Timings - Which is better at Work?

Thank you