What is Group Discussion

Group Discussion (GD) is a discussion by a group of people which

involves an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Group Discussions are
largely used by institutes where there is a high level of competition.
The number of participants in a group may vary from 8 to 15 people.
In most cases a topic or a situation is given to the group and the
members have to discuss it within a given period of time.It is a
methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate
has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its
members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic
or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then
asked to discuss it among themselves for 15-20 minutes.

Skills of an Individual that are Judged in Group Discussion

are:

How good you are at communication with others.

How you behave and interact with group.
How open minded are you.
Your listening skill.
How you put forward your views.
Your leadership and decision making skills.
Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.
Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
Your attitude and confidence.

Critical success factors in Group Discussion

Cognitive Skills or Knowledge
The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality
of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make,
knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you
give.
Comprehension of the Core Idea
It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you
should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to
see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and weather
you are offering relevant solutions.
Logical Reasoning
It includes understanding the topic, generating quailty arguments,
analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is
one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant.
Such people convey and impression of being open minded and logic
driven rather than opinionated.
Behavioral and Personality Skills
This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team
membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation,
amenability, leadership. etc.
Communication Skills
You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you
should also be able to understand what others are trying to say

Clarity of Thoughts
In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/ order rather then
presenting the points in some bits and pieces.
Body Language and Eye Contact
These are some tools which check your level of confidence and
whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be
sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the gorup.
Strategies for a Successful Group Discussion
Sailing through Group Discussions successfully is an art. Here is look
at some strategies that will take you a long way in winning a day.
Be Natural
The best mantra is to be your natural self. Do not manufacture
artificial responses. See a GD or an interview as just an extension of
any other routine situation you encounter. This will induce
spontaneity in your response and will save you the unnecessary What
should I do if? problem.
Must Speak
The first principle of participating in a GD is that you must speak. For
any GD, take a piece of paper and a pen with you and use them unless
specifically asked by the evaluators not to do so. Before you start
speaking, think through the major issues in the topic in the first two
minutes. Jot down points on the paper or mentally work out the
framework for analysis. Start speaking only when you have understood
and analyzed the topic. if another participant has started the
discussion even before you have read and understood the topic, you
could try to ask the person to wait while you finish.

Some Guidelines on Interjecting in a Loud Group Discussion

You will have to decide which one is appropriate.
Enter the Troughs
Every GD has its highs and lows. There are times when the noise level
is high and times when it is low. You could wait for the lows and time
your interjection then. However, in some GDs, if one waits for lows,
he/she would never get a chance to speak.
Enter after a Person has Made his Point
The success of an interjection depends not only on assertiveness but
also on the receptiveness of others. If you interject when someone else
has just begun speaking, before he has made his point, it is unlikely
that he will let you have your way. On the other hand, if you wait till he
has made some of his points, he will be more amenable to letting you
speak. But dont wait too long!
Enter with Supportive Statement
A useful way of starting your interjection is by supporting a point that
has just been made. People will let you speak if they think you agree
with them or if you praise them. Try starting by saying something like,
I agree with that point and I would like to add
Alternatively, praise the person who had just spoken by saying, I
think that is very important point. In all probability, he will let you
speak. Once you have the floor, you could either extend the argument
or you could switch tracks by saying, ..However before we spend more
time on that issue we should be discussing

Enter by Increasing Volumes

The most natural way of entering when you find that others are not
listening is to raise your voice. This is not the smartest way of
interjecting and in a GD where everyone is shouting, there is only a
slight change that it would work... To be effective, however, you will
have to combine this tool with some of the others mentioned, as it is
unlikely to succeed on its own.
Important Points to Remember about Group Discussion

It is important for all the members of a group discussion to use

reasoning.
It is also important for you to ask questions that will allow you to
determine how many the other members know about a specific topic.
You should not make a statement which gives your opinion about
the accuracy of a comment that has been made by another member.
If you are the one who is planning or leading the group, it is
important to make sure every member contributes something to the
discussion.
It is important to make sure everyone is talking about the topic.
The students should talk and make statements regarding the topic.
The best way to approach the topic of discussion is to start with a
concept that is simple before moving to one that is complex.
Once you have researched the topic, you should develop your
own thoughts or opinions about it.
To successfully participate in group discussion, you must know
how to work well with others, and you must understand the topic or
materials that are being discussed.