Group Discussion Concepts

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3 January 2011 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 1

Group Discussion Concepts

Centre For Corporate Relations


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3. Contextual awareness(the college, the company, the family, thecountry)

4. General Awareness(political and economic situation)

5. Communication skills

(articulation, listening skills)


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Group Discussion

discussion by a group of people exchange of thoughts and ideas

participants in a group varies from 8-15people.

In most cases a topic or a case will be givenfor discussion.


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Why employ G.D. ?

Helps in forming an opinion about a large number ofcandidates in a short period of time on a commonplatform.

Helps in assessing certain skills that cannot beevaluated even in a personal interview.

(membership, leadership skills, interpersonal skills,listening and articulation skills, etc.)


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Content Vs Process

All that one observes in a G.D. can be categorised into content and process.

Content matter spoken in a G.D.Process how, when and why of the G.D.

BOTH ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT !


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Success Factors

Knowledge

- comprehension of core idea

- supportive examples and data generated

- Logical reasoning

Behavioural and personality skills

- attitude, rapport-building, team participation, patience,assertion and accommodation, leadership etc.

Communication skills

- clarity of thought, clear and fluent, ability to listen,assimilation

- Body language, eye contact


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Types of Group Discussion

Structured GD most common 10-20 minutes for discussion no leader appointed

Unstructured GD No instructions given Might have to choose the topic for discussion, appoint a leader,

etc.

Case Study A short situation is given in less than a page Participants have to discuss the situation and suggest solution. Information processing and analytical skills are tested as well as

group skills.


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Consensus GD

Open ended task

Not expected to arrive at a solution

Role Play

Situation is described and each person in the group isasked to assume a specific role in the situation.


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Selecting a Chairperson

Do not brush this aside as an unimportant task Evaluators give weightage to the process used in selection

Do not hurry you may end up with a poor choice

Avoid random voting and arbitrary methods such as choosing thefirst member who puts forth his name.


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Role of a Chairperson

Initiate discussion Ensure that the discussion moves in

the right direction. Introduce new points or bring in

relevant aspects Encourage group participation Maintain decorum Summarise and conclude

Other participants should respect thechairperson.


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Other Issues1. Be your natural self

Avoid artificial responses.2. Must Speak

* you must speak

* think through major issues before you speak* jot down points* it may be better to continue with your analysis

while listening to what is being said

* if you do not understand the topic ask the groupwhat the topic means, or else wait, maybe it willbecome clear in a few minutes.

* avoid speaking in turn as this leads to an unnaturaldiscussion.


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3. Entry StrategyGuidelines to show you how you could interject in a loud

GDa) Enter the troughs

wait for lows and time your interjection then.It is observed that if one waits he/she would never speak.

b) Enter after a person has made his point

If you interject when someone else is making a point, it isunlikely that that he will let you have your way.Dont wait too long.

c) Enter with a supportive statementPeople will let you speak if they think you agree with them.

Try starting by saying something positive about the otherpersons opinion.d) Enter by increasing volume


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Ways to make a meaningful impact

1. Generate supportive data use facts and illustrations be sure of the validity of such data

Follow the fact with some sort ofinference or conclusion drawn out of it.2. Be an active listener Prevents you from repeating something

already said.

Gives you new areas to think on Helps you take the discussion forward Help you understand a topic


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3. Be assertive, not aggressive

Successful managers are assertive.

An assertive person is one who putsforward his point politely, firmly,objectively

and persuasively.

An aggressive person tries to dominate

others, he raises his voice, does not listen to others.

Do not get emotionally involved in arguments.

Do not take it as a personal affront if others disagree withyou.


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4. Make friend not foes To ensure positive response from the group

Get people on your side and ensure that they arereceptive.

Use the time before the GD to make friends Establish eye contact with all members.

Direct more of your arguments to the people who arein agreement with you.

5. Speak Clearly, speak sense, and also let others speak. Audible voice and correct pace Contribution is relevant and at the proper time. Listen to others, let them speak , speak yourself and

do not be too aggressive.


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6. Quality of content

Quality is what counts

Influence the group by providing it direction, highlightingcrucial issues There is no right formula to calculate the right duration of

participation.

7. Add value to the group

Lay out the structure to facilitate the discussion Analysis that throws light on a particular issue. Introduce new points, statistics or other

information By not going off tangent Summarise if time permits

8. Share your reasoning first Do not jump to conclusions. You are being evaluated on how you think and not what you

think.


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9. SummariseSummarise by highlighting the major points.

Why participants are asked to Summarise?

o Check your listening skills.

o Check whether you are able to shift through mass ofinformation, and focus on the most important points.

o Do not make the mistake of restating your arguments.

o Use telegraphic English, do not use full sentences or you wonthave the time to complete the summary.


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10. Body language

Do not bee too conscious of your body language.Do not slouch in your chair, stretch

your legs out, fidget or keep shaking

your legs, play with your pen or any

other object and do not point at others.Sit upright and alert and use normal gestures.

Do not block your neighbors by bending too

much forward.

Do not block your face with the other people along side you.

Avoid staring at just one personAvoid looking up or down while speaking

While listening to someone else, look directly at him/her andnot at the ceiling or at the ground.


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Some Donts

o Avoid making eye contact with evaluators.

o Do not address them in between the GD.

o Seek any clarification from them before the GD.

o Avoid speaking in turn.o Do not take vote on a topic.


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Roles

1. The Professor

Plays the role of an intellectual

Generates new ideas His strength is his knowledge

and its application

Preoccupied with the topic

Low involvement with people around


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5. The Butcher Most welcome in a group having one or

two aggressive elements.

Cuts aggressive members.

He perceives threat from other members.

6. The Spectator

Is involved in the proceedings in a limited role.

Contribution is very limited and does not affect the outcome of thegroup task.

7. The Ideal Role

Each role adds value to the GD in one way or the other.

Strong involvement in only one role could prove to be disastrous.

Situational leadership. You are sure to be noticed if you perform more than three roles.

Mobility is the key


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Documents

Group Discussion Concepts