Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Do's and Don'ts of Group Discussion
Do's and Don'ts of Group Discussion
Discussion
Group Discussion
• The group may be given a case study and asked to come out with
a solution for a problem.
• The group may be given a topic and asked to discuss on the same.
• A panel will observe the proceedings and evaluate the members
of the group.
Here is a sample list of skills assessed during a group discussion
-Leadership skills
-Communication skills
-Persuasive skills
-Problem solving skills
-Conceptualizing skills
The first implication
• Is that you should be noticed by the panel.
Merely making a meaningful contribution and
helping the group arrive at a consensus is not
enough. You have to be seen by the evaluating
panel to have made the meaningful
contribution. What does that mean in
practice?
The first implication(continued)
– You must ensure that the group hears you. If the
group hears you, so will the evaluator. That does
not mean that you shout at the top of your voice
and be noticed for the wrong reasons.
– You have to be assertive. If you are not a very
assertive person, you will have to simply learn to
be assertive for those 15 minutes. Remember,
assertiveness does not mean being bull-headed or
being arrogant
The first implication(continued)
– And most importantly, you have to make your chances.
Many group discussion participants often complain
that they did not get a chance to speak. The fact is that
in no group discussion will you get a chance to speak.
There is nothing more unacceptable in a GD than
keeping one's mouth shut or just murmuring things
which are inaudible.
– Participate in as many practice GDs as possible before
you attend the actual GD. There is nothing like practice
to help you overcome the fear of talking in a GD.
The second important implication
• Is that making just any sort of contribution is
not enough. Your contribution has to be
meaningful. A meaningful contribution
suggests that
– You have a good knowledge base
– You are able to put forth your arguments logically
and are a good communicator.
The second important implication(continued)