Group Discussion for M Tech and MBA

Group Discussion

•Definition

• Advantages

• Qualities/skills required/assessed,

•General Do’s & Don’ts, 

•Participating in a GD (Leadership, GD protocol, discussion techniques, Listening)

Group Discussion: In Merriam Webster, group discussion is involving a number of people who are

connected by some shared activity, interest, or quality.

•It is the concept of giving a topic to a targeted group of people where the individuals collectively

decide their opinions.

There are different types of Group discussions:

•Knowledge-based- GD: It involves facts figures with substantial information

•Abstract-GD: It involves out of the box topics checking your creativity

•Controversial: This tests your analytical skills as well as your maturity level

•Opinion seeking: Opinion based GD checking  your presentation skills and leadership qualities

Advantages of Group Discussion

•It brings diversity in opinion

•It promotes innovative solutions

•Inputs from  more than one individual eliminates the biases

•It is participative style of decision making

Qualities/skills required/assessed in GD

•What is assessed through Group Discussions?

•During GD some of your skills and qualities are being tested by evaluators on the panel on spot.

Some of the key attributes screened through GDs are:

•Depth of subject knowledge

•Group behavior

•Leadership qualities

•Communication skills

•Use of appropriate verbal and non verbal communication

•Effective listening

•Level of confidence

•Clarity of expression

Participating in a GD Leadership, GD protocol, discussion techniques, Listening

The protocol for GD is to

Discuss the topic effectively,

being assertive,

proper body language,

Proper modulation of tone and pitch of the voice

Listen to other’s view point

HOW TO MASTER THE SKILL?

1. It’s a Discussion, not a Debate

•GD – the term itself says it’s a “Discussion” amongst a group of people.

•Do not make it a heated debate. No matter how terribly you hate the participant do not start fighting with him/her.

•Be assertive and not aggressive.

2. Sit Comfortably and Gather Your Thoughts

•Once the topic is announced, some time is given before the discussion starts.

•Gather your thoughts, pen down your points in bullets and compose yourself

3. Take your Opportunity to Speak

•you need to know how to take your opportunity to speak.

•Whenever the person speaking pauses somewhere take a second to think, and put forward your opinion, but be polite

4. Speak With Purpose

•You don’t have to talk constantly to get noticed – but when you do make sure what you’re saying is

unique and contributes to the discussion.

5. Quality v/s Quantity

•Raise the quality of your content not the quantity.

•Speak sensibly - include quality content supported by relevant facts, figures and  examples

6. Critical Listening

•Listen and analyze what others are speaking, respect  their opinion  this will facilitate a productive

and coherent discussion and you will get involved in the group positively.

7. Non-Verbals

•Exhibit calm and composed body language.

•Do not point out fingers at others or make aggressive hand movements.

•Every move and gesture should radiate confidence.

8. The Winning Mantra

•It’s not just your communication skills but tactful communication with poise, intellect and

camaraderie which differentiates between the winner and a fighter in a GD

General Do’s & Don’ts

•Read newspapers regularly so you don’t fall short on content

•Balance of tone and body gestures.

•Focus on Content, Team approach, leadership skills, communication skills, analytical and logical reasoning

•Ensure participation by putting relevant points

• Should conclude the GD

•It is not necessary to arrive at a consensus

•Don’t try to prove others wrong

•Don’t be shy to put forth your ideas

•Don’t use condescending tone in while arguing/debating a point

•Don’t give irrelevant points or erratic statistics

Dos of participating in a GD

•Listen to the subject carefully

•Put down your thoughts on a paper

•Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well

•Listen to others if you don’t know the subject

•Support you point with some facts and figures

•Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times

•Give others a chance to speak

•Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members.

•Disagree politely and agree with what is right.

•Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.

Don’ts of participating in a Group Discussion

•Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.

•Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.

•Argue and shout during the GD

•Look at the evaluators or a particular group member

•Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion

•Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking the table

with a pen etc.

•Mention erratic statistics.

•Display low self confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.

•Try to dominate the discussion

•Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they don’t want.

Some tips and tricks

1.How to join in the discussion

•I’d like to raise the subject of………….

•What I think is……………

•I think it is important to consider the question of……

•I could say a word about………

•May I make a point about…………

2. How to support

•To support what  some other participant has said

•Remember that you should not say that you support so and so or I agree with him/her. You should

support the views of the person not the person

•I’d like to support Miss Natasha’s point of view about ….

•That is just what I also think……………

•I agree fully with what Mr Richard has just said. I am in complete agreement with fee slashing.

3. To support disagreement

•Again remember that you are opposed to the idea, and not the person who holds it. You can disagree

by using polite expressions, instead of curt expressions such as “You are wrong”, you can say

•Please allow me to differ……

•I would like to differ……………

•I think differently on this issue……

•I do not agree; in my opinion…………

4. To make a point very strongly

•I am convinced that……….

•You can’t deny that……………

•Anybody can see  that………………..

It is quite clear to me that………

5. To bring a discussion back to the point

•That’s very interesting, but I don’t think it is indeed to the point.

•Perhaps, we could go back to the point.

•Could we stick to the subject, please?

•I am afraid we are drifting from the point.