EX NO: 08 GROUP DISCUSSION
DATE:24/11/23
Group Discussion Group discussion (GD) is a comprehensive technique to judge the
suitability of an individual and his appropriateness for admission, scholarship, job, etc.
GD assesses the overall personality – thoughts, feelings and behaviour - of an individual
in a group. A topic is presented to the group members for discussion. While the
discussion is going on, a group of panellists observe them. Through this observation they
judge intellectual, social, leadership, communicative skills of candidates taking part in the
GD.
Importance of GD
For admission to some of the universities, college campus placements after graduation or
for recruitment to a multinational company, you need to have knowledge of the field and
also have the capability to work in a group as a leader or as a member. The group
discussion technique is a very effective way to judge the candidate’s ability to work in a
group.
skills are judged in a GD
• How good you are at communicating with other
• How easily you behave and interact with the other group members
• How you are open minded
• How flexible or rigid you are in accepting the view- points of others in the group
• Your leadership skills
• Your analytical abilities
• Problem solving & critical thinking skills
• Time management skills
• Your skills at putting forth your ideas in an unbiased manner
• Social attitude and confidence
A Preview of a Group Discussion session
. A group was given a topic for Group Discussion – ‘Education is the only way to remove
poverty’. One of the candidates in the group, ‘kunal’, was very aggressive in his manner
of putting up the arguments in favour of the topic. Many times he even cut down other
candidates and barely allowed others to speak. He spoke rudely in case anyone put up a
different view and his voice was also loud. His body language was rude and not pleasant.
He was doing this to appear like a leader who knew the most about the topic of
discussion.
Do you think kunal’s behaviour was correct? Do you agree that kunal’s behaviour would
help him get a job?
Do’s of participating in a GD
• Think before you speak.
• Pick up clues from the discussion and intelligently add points that come to your mind
with regards to the topic, in case you don’t know much about the topic.
• Back up your points with facts and figures if needed.
• Be gentle and sure in your presentation of views.
• Speak to-the-point and make sure that you do not repeat the points.
• Be calm and composed while speaking.
• Listening to others is also an important aspect of participation in the group discussion,
so listen to others.
• Have respectful attitude towards the viewpoints of others.
• Your body language should convey your ease of behaviour.
• Sometimes the discussion may take a hostile turn. In such a case it is a good idea to
intervene to make the situation relaxed. This act of yours will show your leadership and
problem solving skills.
Don’ts of participating in a GD
• Do not initiate the discussion if you do not know the topic well.
• Do not go overboard in exhibiting your knowledge even if you know the topic well.
• Do not interrupt other members when they are speaking.
• Do not change your opinion about the topic just because most of the other participants
are having an opinion different from yours.
• Do not feel unconfident if a speaker prior to you has presented the points more
effectively than you.
• Do not ask irrelevant questions.
• Do not let your personal biases about the topic enter the discussion .
Successful In Group Discussion are:
1) Prepare for different topics
2) Practice public speaking
3) Work on your body language
4) Be a good listener
5) Complement the agreeable points
6) Face crucial moments
7) Practice summarisation and conclusion
