GROUP DISCUSSION

GROUP   DISCUSSION

Purpose :- Group Discussion is a modern method of assessing students personally.

A GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and skills that it desires in its members.

It is a part of team work.

Ability to work and contribute in teams is an absolute must to succeed in corporate sector.

It is used to test managerial attributes like

1] interpersonal skills 

2] leadership 

3] analytical thinking 

4] rational thinking 

5] knowledge  

6] personality traits

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

What is Group Discussion ? / types of GD/ reasons for having a GD/ how to face GD/ perquisites of a GD/ GD dos and don’ts/ essentials of GD/ benefits of GD/ general mistakes made in GD/GD tips and techniques.

Types of GD :

1] topic based. Topic based may be factual topics, controversial topics and abstract topics.

2] case based

Factual topics :-

1] Things which an ordinary person is aware of in his day to day life. 

2] socio economic topics 

3] it gives a chance to candidate that he is aware of and sensitive to his evironment.

4] tourism in India                 

5] rise in prices

           

Controversial topics :-

1] These are argumentative in nature 

2] Noise level will be high

3] Maturity level of candidate is checked

4] Reservation            

5] Women reservation

Abstract topics :-

1] this is about intangible things 

2] this topic is generally not preferred 

3] it will test the lateral thinking and creativity.

Case based topics :-

1] real life situations   

2] information situation resolve solution 

3] no incorrect answer or perfect solution. 

4] main objective is to make you think in various angles.

Reasons for having a GD :-

1] it helps you understand subject more deeply 

2] it improves ;your ability to think critically 

3] it helps in solving a particular problem 

4] it helps the group to make a particular decision 

5] it gives you chance to hear other students ideas 

6] it improves your listening skills 

7] it increases your confidence in speaking  

8] it can change your attitudes

How to face GD :- 

1] observe 

2] practice 

3] participate

Essentials of GD :-

1] communication skils 

2] knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject 

3] capability to co-ordinate and lead 

4] exchange of thoughts 

5] addressing the group as a whole 

6] thorough preparation.

Tips and techniques of GD :-

1] quotes

 2] definition 

3] question 

4] shock statement 

5] facts, figures and statistics 

6] short story 

7] general statement

Prerequisites of GD :-

1] topics given panelists 

2] planning and preparation

3] knowledge with self-confidence 

4] communication skills/power of speech 

5] power of presentation, 

6] body language and personal appearance 

7] being calm and cool 

8] extensive knowledge base related to state, country and globe 

9] areas are politics, sports, science, trade, commerce, industry, and technology, mncs…  10] analyze the social economical issues logistically 

11] listening skills 

12] co-operation

Personality traits needed in GD :-

1] team player 

2] flexibility 

3] leadership 

4] creativity 

4] awareness 

5] initiative

 6] initiative 

7] reasoning ability

 8] listening 

9] inspiring ability

Important points of GD :-

1] be assertive 

2] a patient listener 

3] right language 

4] be analytical 

5] be fact oriented

Benefits of GD :-

1] provides chance to expose 

2] language skills

3] academic knowledge 

4] leadership skills 

5] people handling skills 

6] team work 

7] general knowledge

General mistakes :-

1] emotional outburst 

2] quality Vs quantity 

3] egotism showing off 

4] getting noticed for wrong things 

5] pointing out others  

6] diverting  the topic 

7] eye contact

Dos of GD :-

1] speak pleasantly and politely to the group 

2] respect the contribution of every speaker 

3] remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to disagree politely 

4] think about your contribution before you speak. How best can you answer the question/contribute to the topic? 

5] try to stick to the discussion topic. Don’t introduce irrelevant information 

6] be aware of your body language when you are speaking 

7] agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting

Don’ts of GD :-

1] lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument 

2] shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch 

3] use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive. 

4] dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to contribute 

5] draw too much on personal experience. Although some tutors encourage students to reflect on their own experience, remember not to generalize too much 

6] interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak