What is a group discussion?
-A talk where you all tell your views on a particular topic
-One can support/oppose the stated topic
-One can also state the pros and cons of the topic
-It is definitely different from a debate
-Generally the topic is related to one of the current issues
How to present yourself in a GD
-Be yourself and don’t project you as someone else
-Your body language and mannerisms talk a lot about you.
-Be assertive and not aggressive
-Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
-Be vocal, the evaluator wants to hear you speak
-Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to.
-Brush up on your leadership skills; you can also motivate the other members of the team to speak
-You will be evaluated on your alertness, knowledge, Problem solving ability, clarity and team spirit.
There are various kinds of GD:
-Fish market : Typical as the word says, everyone expresses their opinion but hardly any listens. Its all about their aggression to rule the GD.
-Silent Killer :Not much is contributed by the members and each one waits for the other to break the ice.
-Happy Family : This is the ideal from of discussion where everyone makes their point and also listens to what the rest opine on that issue.
-One man show : Here monotony prevails and just one speaker talks, talks and talks. The rest do not contribute even when they are pulled into the GD.
Key elements which they are looking for in a GD
-Team spirit
-Leadership qualities
-Awareness
-Reasoning ability
-Assertiveness
-Content
-Creativity
-Flexibility
-Inspiring ability
-Listening
Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.
-When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.
-If you can strike a positive first impression with your content and communication skills, it will help you sail through the discussion.
-But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irrevocable.
-If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an initiator!
-When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in depth knowledge about the topic at hand.
Summarization Techniques
-Most GDs do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favour or against the topic.
-But every GD is summarised. You can summarise what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.
-Avoid raising new points.
-Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
-Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
-Keep it brief and concise.
-It must incorporate all the important points that came out during GD.
-If the examiner asks you to summarise a GD, it means the GD has come to an end. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarised.
-If required you can even take a note pad along to note the key points which will help you to recapitulate.
How to win a GD?
-Make the other members understand your point by giving suitable examples.
-Use quotations. This will help you sail through better. Given a topic like is there any need for censor board? You can start like ‘Hidden apples are always sweet’
-Shock them by looking at the topic differently. For instance topics like Growing Indian population-boon or bane? Many would say 'At the centre of the Indian capital stands a population clock that ticks away relentlessly’. You can add a positive approach by telling 'Nothing's impossible when 1 billion Indians work together'.'
-Give them facts, figures and statistics. For this you need to be well equipped by reading newspapers regularly.
-Use a general statement to put the GD in proper perspective. For example, if the topic is, Should Dhoni be the cricket captain of Indian team? You could start by saying, 'Before jumping to conclusions like, 'Yes, Dhoni should be', or 'No, Dhoni should not be', let's first find out the qualities one needs to be a good captain. Then we can compare these qualities with those that Dhoni possesses. This will help us reach the conclusion in a more objective and effective manner.'
So tell me now, how good are you at the group discussion?
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