Group Discussion Strategies

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Group Discussion Strategies

www.managementstudyguide.com
Learning Objectives
1 What is a Group Discussion
2 Importance of Group Discussion

3 Types of Group Discussion
4 Process of Group Discussion
5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion
6 Preparing for Group Discussion
7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

8 FAQs on Group Discussion
What is Group Discussion?

It is essentially a verbal -
oriented performance
where participants have to
talk their way out
It is a technique or It is also called

a method used for What is leaderless discussion
screening candidates Group as it aims to find out
as well as testing Discussion? the natural leadership
their potential level of candidates
It is used as a tool to assess

candidates in a group at one
go in order to select the best
in comparative perspective
Group Discussion Vs Public Speaking

Public Speaking
• One-to-many
Group Discussion communication situations
• Many-to-many situation • Solo performances
• Not a solo performance • Individual views matter
• Apart from individual views, • Speaker can take a
views of entire group matter particular position on the
•All the members of the topic and speak accordingly
group participate & one has
to listen to the views of
other members
Learning Objectives


Importance of Group Discussion
Recruitment
Group discussion has become an inevitable A number of people who can
1 part of recruitment process. It measures communicate their ideas well
certain attributes of candidates that are and discuss effectively with
otherwise difficult to identify & time others in a one-on-one
consuming to assess situation become tongue-
tied in a group situation. A
Group Discussion will identify
Admission to B-Schools people who have such group
Group Discussions are an important part of communication skills and
2 the short-listing process for admission to B- people who do not possess
Schools as working with groups is one of the such group communication
most important parameter of success as a skills
manager
Importance of Group Discussion

More often than not, it
It helps understand a
helps the group reach
subject more deeply and
a decision and solve a
improves ability to think
particular problem
critically
It improves listening skills

and also gives a chance to
listen other participants’
view points
It helps participants
gain confidence by
being vocal about their
thoughts / opinions
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8
Learning Objectives


Types of Group Discussion
1.
Topic Based
2.
Case Studies
3.
Group Tasks
• Based on specific topics

Topic Based • Could be Factual, Controversial, or Abstract topics
• Normally used during recruitment process in organizations
• Tries to simulate a real-life situation with an objective to get you to

think about the situation from various angles.
Case Studies • Information about the situation is given and participants are asked
as a group to resolve the situation. There are no incorrect
answers / perfect solutions.
• This type of GDs are normally used by management institutes
• These are an extension of case studies where specific objectives

Group Tasks
are to be achieved as a group.
Topic Based
Group
Discussions
Factual
Topics Abstract
Controversial Topics
Topics

• Are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of.
• Typically these are socio-economic topics which may have been in the news
Factual Topics lately, or could be unbound by time.
• Gives a candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of his environment.
• E.g. The Education Policy of India, Tourism in India, LokPal Bill
• Are argumentative in nature and are meant to generate controversy.

• Noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying.
Controversial • Objective is to see how much maturity the candidate displays by
Topics keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of
view without getting personal and emotional.
• E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers
• Are about intangible things.

• Usually not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled
Abstract Topics out.
• Objective is to test your lateral thinking and creativity.
• E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10
Learning Objectives


Process of Group Discussion
1 2 3 4 5
8-10 students are For a topic-based Evaluation is done Candidates may Discussion may be
taken as a group, GD, 2-3 minutes of by experts, be seated in a stopped at the set
though in some thinking time may usually professors circle or in a time / even earlier.
cases, up to 16 be given; though from B-School. rectangular Conclusion may
people may be the group is often These people are arrangement, be asked for. A
included in a told to start right experts and with/out a table. written / oral
group. The GD away. For case observe all Seating summary may be
lasts for 10-15 studies, however, details, even if arrangements asked for at the
minutes about 15 minutes the GD is chaotic may be prefixed end from each
is given candidate
Learning Objectives


Evaluation Criteria for Group Discussion

It includes smartness,
Communication
cheerfulness, enthusiasm, It includes
attitude, and confidence
Skills
interpersonal skills,
body language,
Personality
aggressive / assertive
Creativity
It includes
thinking out of communication
the box
Knowledge
It includes
It includes ability subject matter,
Persuasion
to convince other relevance, and

Skills
participants depth
without being
aggressive
Analytical Skills Leadership
It includes thinking It includes giving

logically and rationally direction to the group
in terms of content
Evaluation Criteria for Group Discussion
Content
Combination of knowledge & ability to create
logical arguments on the basis of that
knowledge
Communication
Communication Skills Content
Skills
Besides listening, evaluators observe your
ability to express ideas clearly & concisely,
build on others' points, sum up the discussion
made by the entire group
Group Dynamics
The evaluators observe participants'
willingness to listen & discuss various points,
ability to appreciate good points made by
others, ability to disagree politely &
summarize Leadership Group Dynamics
Leadership
Evaluators evaluate on basis of who initiates the
discussion, allows others to express their views
& channels discussion to a probable decision
Learning Objectives


Preparing For Group Discussion
Have you heard yourself saying this post participating in a Group Discussion?
“I couldn’t finish”.
“I couldn’t start”.
Nobody let me speak”.

“Someone got sarcastic”.
“I didn’t understand the topic”.
“Someone else dominated the GD”.
Here is how you can better prepare for Group Discussions…


1. Content
• Develop subject knowledge on
current affairs, general awareness
& business trends.
• Structure arguments [for & against]
on selected topics, considering both
sides to the argument.
• Plan for short and crisp points.
3
2
1

Display Behavioral Traits
• Leadership trait by showing direction to the
group whenever group moves away from the
topic, coordinate the effort of participants.
• Assertiveness is displayed when you put your
point to group in a very positive & confident
manner.
• Listening skills can be displayed by striking a
proper balance between expressing your ideas
& imbibing suggestons.
• Creativity is reflected when you put across
new idea, such that it is discussed at length by
the group. 3
2
1

23

Practice
• GD skills cannot be learned from books.
• Get into practice groups.
• Get skilled people to observe and give
feedback.
• Spend a lot of time analysing each GD
performance. Plan specific improvements
3
2
1

We hear discussions in the college canteen, in the train, at the bus
stop, during a meeting or anywhere where people come together.
Before starting a Group Discussion let’s remember to ask ourselves:
Can we disagree without being disagreeable?
Can we be analytical without being critical?
Can we be assertive without being aggressive?
Can we listen and not just speak?

Learning Objectives


Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

Do’s Don’ts
 Respect the contribution of other speakers. х Don't take offence if a person disagrees with you.
 Speak pleasantly. х Don't ridicule the contribution of others by using
 Listen well to the ideas of other speakers; comments like `that's stupid', that's ridiculous,
you will learn something. or `you're wrong'.
 Learn to disagree politely. х Don't try to intimidate another speaker.
 Respect that others have differing views. х Don't use a loud or angry tone. Others will not
 Think about your contribution before you speak. want to listen to you if you are being aggressive.
 Try to stick to the discussion topic. х Don't use aggressive gestures like finger-pointing
 Your body language should be `open' & friendly. and table-thumping.
 Agree & acknowledge anything interesting. х Try not to dominate the discussion. Confident
 Stay with the topic. If the discussion does speakers should allow others a chance to speak.
waiver, bring it back on topic by saying `that's х Avoid drawing too much on personal experience.
an interesting point, can we come back to that х Don't interrupt or talk over another speaker.
later? Listening to others earns you the right to be
 Try to speak clearly. Don't whisper. heard.
Listen to the given

topic carefully. Be assertive not
Structure your dominating; try to
Be prepared with some points on the sheet
of the topics. Keep maintain a balanced
provided tone in your discussion
yourself updated on
current affairs. and analysis
Try to remember the

names of the participants
Summarize the in the GD, when you are
discussion if the group targeting individuals
has not reached a address them with the
conclusion names
Speak clearly:
Use simple words
Initiate the GD:
while speaking. Don’t
Initiate GD only when
be too aggressive if
you understood the
you are disagreeing
topic clearly & have
with someone
some knowledge
Formal dressing:
No fancy and funny
dressing. You should be
comfortable while
speaking in group.

30
Some Myths about Group Discussion
• You should speak more (No!)

• You should dominate the discussion (No!)
• You should project yourself in style (No!)
• You should speak in favor of topic (No!)
• You should make others agree to your point (No!)
Learning Objectives


FAQs on Group Discussion
Is there time given for preparation after the topic is given and before starting the GD?
Usually some time (2-5 minutes) is given to collect one's thoughts, but there could be
instances when this does not happen, so it is best not to bank on this.
Should I address the panel or the group members?

Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members while the GD is on. The GD is
between you and the other members, not the panel members. You must avoid even looking at
the panel members while the GD is in progress. Just ignore their existence.
What is the seating arrangement like?

It could be semi-circular, or circular, or seating alongside a rectangular table, depending upon
the venue. It is best not to bother about trivial issues like this, which you have no control over.
How should I address the other group members?

If you are initiating the discussion, you could do so by collectively addressing the group as
"Friends". Subsequently, you could use names (if the group has had a round of self-introduction
prior to starting the discussion and you remember the names) or use pronouns like "he" / "she.
Suppose I have a lot to say on the topic, should I say all of it?
You would not be looked upon favorably if you kept speaking all the time and did not listen to
anyone else. Contrary to the misconception, the person who talks the most is not necessarily
the one who is judged the best. The quality and not the quantity of your contribution counts.
Should I encourage others to speak up?

Do not directly put someone who is consistently silent on the spot by asking him / her to
speak up. But If someone has been trying to speak and has a good point but is cut off
constantly, you may encourage him / her to continue with her point.
Are the group members supposed to keep track of the time or will the panel keep track?
It would be good if you are conscious of the time, but not to the point of getting so distracted
looking at your watch that you do not contribute to the discussion.
Is there any particular seating arrangement, which is favorable to the participants?

If participants are asked to sit in a circle or a semi circle, one position is as good as another. But
if you are asked to sit on either side of a rectangular table, then choose a position as close to
the centre as possible.
Should we begin the GD by appointing a leader amongst ourselves?

No. You should not. Leadership in a GD is established implicitly through one's performance in a
GD.
If I feel strongly about an issue, should I voice my feelings?

It is important to be cool and emotionally objective in a GD. If you react emotionally you are
likely to lose control over yourself during the group discussion. Be calm and logical, not
emotional in a GD.
Can I use technical terms or jargon, which is clear to me, but not to the group?
If you have to use technical terms, do not use abbreviations. After mentioning the term in full,
explain to the group what it means. It is quite likely that other participants of the group have a
different academic background than you. Make sure you are all on a level playing field.
Do I begin my participation by requesting the group's permission to do so?

It is not likely that you will get a chance to ask for such permission. It may also go against you
(as appearing weak on your part).

37
What is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that I am heard properly?

In any GD, there are crests & troughs during the discussion. Crest - when the noise level is at its
peak. Trough - when there is almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter the GD during the
trough period. But in competitive GDs, crests occur often and troughs may not occur at all. In
such cases, enter the GD irrespective of the noise level provided you have a point to make.
How do I participate when the noise level is too high?

You could try the following strategy:
• Identify most powerful speaker in the group, and note down the points that he/she is making.
• The moment the noise level reduces, enter supporting the powerful speaker.
Do I have to be cautious about participants' feelings (on sensitive issues like religion, caste etc.)?
You certainly do. Insensitivity to others displays a lack of maturity and viciousness. It will act
against your favor.
Is it beneficial to be the first speaker in a group discussion?

Being the first speaker is a high risk, high return strategy. If you can make a good opening
statement, which is relevant and sets the tone for the GD, it will go in your favor. However if you
speak for the sake of speaking, not really having anything pertinent to say, it will be remembered
and will go against you.
How critical is my fluency in English to my performance?

Command over English is certainly advantageous but will not compensate for lack of good
content. If your content is good, then even if your English might not be great, you must speak it
out, rather than be inhibited by lack of good English. You will get credit for soundness of ideas.
How necessary is it to use examples for illustrating an idea?

Use of examples is helpful in elaborating your point, and helping others understand your idea
better. But remember to keep it short and simple because in a competitive GD nobody has the
patience to listen to long, drawn out examples.
How much or for how long should I participate?

In a 20 minute GD with 10-12 participants, try and participate at least 4 times with each entry
lasting at least 25-30 seconds. You could participate more depending on your comfort level and
the need for participation.
Is it good to be humorous in a GD?

Depends on the situation. In a GD that is fairly relaxed, it may be acceptable. But in a
competitive situation, where the participants are tensed up, your attempts at humour may fall
flat.
What do I do if someone else has already said what I wanted to say?

To avoid such situation, speak up in the first 4-5 minutes of the GD, else you have two choices:
• Agree with the point made by that person and add to it to broaden the scope of the argument.
• Drop the point and think of fresh points.
How is aggression taken and measured in a GD?

The moment you notice people reacting to you negatively or strongly, you may take it that you
are being too aggressive. The degree of the reaction is the measure of your aggression.
What level of aggression is seen acceptable?

There is a very thin line between aggression and assertiveness. You should always aim to sound
assertive and not stubborn.
Will I be quizzed about my (or others) participation in the GD?

You may be asked about other participant’s response / views. Therefore it helps to be alert all
through the GD.
Is it true that the GD is used more as an elimination technique rather than as a selection tool?
Depends on the institute. In most premier institutes/companies it is used as a selection tool, not
as an elimination technique.
Is motivating other people in the group to speak looked upon favorably?

Depends on how it is done. If you openly request someone to speak, you may be putting the
other person in a difficult spot. It is better to use other means of motivation, such as agreeing
with a halting speaker, adding on to their points, supporting and giving them direction.
Can the moderator to stop or cut short the GD much before the stipulated time is over?
This may happen if the GD becomes too noisy and if the level of discussion deteriorates
abysmally.
Can I be aggressive with a lady participant?

A GD is not the place to demonstrate chivalry (gallantry). Being rude to any participant [male or
female] is downright unacceptable. You need not extend any special privileges to a lady.
Is it all right to ask pointed questions to other participants during a GD?

It is alright to ask questions for the purpose of clarification but not for the purpose of playing
the devil's advocate and proving them wrong. By playing the devil's advocate you hamper the
flow of the GD. The pointed questions unsettle the other participant.
Are we expected to stick to a line of thought or can we come up with something radical?
By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity and originality. Just make sure it is
relevant to the topic.
Is an end-summary absolutely essential?

No. If the group has not reached a conclusion, then it would be good if someone puts the whole
discussion into perspective by summarizing. But if there isn't sufficient time, a summary may be
avoided.
Is voting an acceptable method of reaching a consensus?

No. Topics are usually general in nature to give a level playing field to everyone.
Are the topics decided on the basis of the academic background of the participant?
No. Topics are usually general in nature to give a level playing field to everyone.
What do I do if one member is very stubborn and aggressive?

You could use any of the following methods:
• Ignore him and address the other members of the group.
• Be assertive and tell him that his argument is faulty.
• Point out to him that his point is well taken and that the group must progress further.
What are the acceptable ways of interrupting somebody else, so that I may make my point?
You can interrupt in any of the following ways:
• "Excuse me, but I feel that what you are saying isn't universally true ...“
• "Yes, I agree with your idea, and I would like to add on to it …”
How should a group select a topic if asked to?

The group should brainstorm for about two minutes and narrow down the list of topics to 3-4.
After this the group should prioritize them based on the comfort level and ease of discussion of
the topics.
Summary
Group Discussion Strategies – Key points and advantages
• Group discussion makes complex and difficult tasks into parts and steps
• Group discussion makes to plan ahead and manage time
• Refine understanding through discussion and explanation
• Giving and receiving feedback on performance
• Group discussion results in stronger communication skills
• Individuals can solve their problems on their own
• Able to delegate roles and responsibilities
• Group discussion enhances knowledge and skills of an individual
• Build a rapport and identity with other group members
• Develop their own voice and perspectives in relation to peers

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www.managementstudyguide.

Group Discussion Strategies

1 What is a Group Discussion

2 Importance of Group Discussion

4 Process of Group Discussion

5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion

6 Preparing for Group Discussion

7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

What is Group Discussion?

It is a technique or It is also called

It is used as a tool to assess

Group Discussion Vs Public Speaking

1 What is a Group Discussion

2 Importance of Group Discussion

4 Process of Group Discussion

5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion

6 Preparing for Group Discussion

7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

Importance of Group Discussion

Importance of Group Discussion

It improves listening skills

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Self Paced Trainings.

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1 What is a Group Discussion

2 Importance of Group Discussion

4 Process of Group Discussion

5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion

6 Preparing for Group Discussion

7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

Types of Group Discussion

Types of Group Discussion

• Based on specific topics

• Tries to simulate a real-life situation with an objective to get you to

• These are an extension of case studies where specific objectives

Types of Group Discussion

Types of Group Discussion

• Are argumentative in nature and are meant to generate controversy.

• Are about intangible things.

1 What is a Group Discussion

2 Importance of Group Discussion

4 Process of Group Discussion

5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion

6 Preparing for Group Discussion

7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

Process of Group Discussion

1 What is a Group Discussion

2 Importance of Group Discussion

4 Process of Group Discussion

5 Evaluation Criteria of Group Discussion

6 Preparing for Group Discussion

7 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion

Evaluation Criteria for Group Discussion

to convince other relevance, and

It includes thinking It includes giving

Evaluation Criteria for Group Discussion

1 What is a Group Discussion