Do’s and Don’ts of Group

Discussion
 Group Discussion

A group discussion (GD) is a simulated exercise,

where you cannot suddenly put up a show, since the
evaluators will see through you easily.

(Group discussion is an important dimension of the

selection process. Any organization requires candidates
to work with others for effective functioning. )
 OBJECTIVE

Lets start from the basic. One needs to know

what one's objective in the group is. A good
definition of your objective is - to be noticed
to have contributed meaningfully in an
attempt to help the group reach the right
consensus.
 Here's how most group discussions work
• Normally groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless
group, and are given a specific situation to analyze and discuss
within a given time limit.

• 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)

– The quality of what you said is more valuable than

the quantity. There is this myth amongst many
group discussion participants that the way to
succeed in a group discussion is by speaking loudly
and at great length. One could not be more
wrong. You must have meat in your arguments.

– Therefore, think things through carefully.

 (When you jot down points, keep these
pointers in mind)

Always enter the room with a piece of paper and a

pen. In the first two minutes jot down as many ideas as
you can.

If it is a topic where you are expected to take a stand,

say for example, "Should India sign the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty?" note down points for both sides of
the argument. It will be useful on two counts
(When you jot down points, keep these
pointers in mind)

One, if you do not start the GD and are not

amongst the first five speakers and find that
everyone in the group is talking for the topic, then
it makes sense to take the alternate approach and
oppose the topic even if you initially intended to
talk for the topic.
(When you jot down points, keep these
pointers in mind)

Second, it helps to have a knowledge of how group

members who take a stand diametrically opposite to
yours will put forth their argument and to be
prepared with counter arguments.
 The Third Implication
• Everybody else will state the obvious. So
highlight some points that are not obvious.
The different perspective that you bring to the
group will be highly appreciated by the panel.
Some pointers on being relevant while having
a different perspective are:
The Third Implication(continued)
– Be careful that the "something different" you state
is still relevant to the topic being debated.
– Can you take the group ahead if it is stuck at one
point?
– Can you take it in a fresh and more relevant
direction?
 The last implication:-
Is that you must be clearly seen to be
attempting to build a consensus.
– Gaining support or influencing colleagues is the
mantra adopted by many a successful Business
Leaders.
– Nobody expects a group of ten intelligent, assertive
people, all with different points of view on a
controversial subject to actually achieve a
consensus. But what matters is "Did you make
attempts to build a consensus?"
The last implication(continued)
– The reason why an attempt to build a consensus is
important is because in most work situations you
will have to work with people in a team, accept
joint responsibilities and take decisions as a group.
– You must demonstrate the fact that you are
capable and inclined to work as part of a team.
 Famous saying-
“Wise men learn from others mistakes, while
the less fortunate, from their own”.
Common Mistakes-Emotional Outburst

Rashmi was offended when one of the male participants

in a group discussion made a statement on women
generally being submissive while explaining his point of
view. When Rashmi finally got an opportunity to speak,
instead of focusing on the topic, she vented her anger by
accusing the other candidate for being a male chauvinist
and went on to defend women in general.
Common Mistakes-Emotional Outburst
What Rashmi essentially did was to
• Deviate from the subject.
• Treat the discussion as a forum to air her own views.
• Lose objectivity and make personal attacks.
(Her behavior would have been perceived as immature
and demotivating to the rest of the team.)
 Common Mistakes-Quality Vs Quantity

• Gautam believed that the more he talked, the

more likely he was to get through the GD. So,
he interrupted other people at every
opportunity. He did this so often that the
other candidates got together to prevent him
from participating in the rest of the discussion
 Common Mistakes-Quality Vs Quantity

• Assessment is not only on your

communication skills but also on your ability
to be a team player.
• Evaluation is based on quality, and not on
quantity. Your contribution must be relevant.
(The mantra is "Contributing meaningfully to
the team's success." Domination is frowned
upon.)
 Common Mistakes-Egotism Showing off

• Krishna was happy to have got a group discussion

topic he had prepared for. So, he took pains to
project his vast knowledge of the topic. Every other
sentence of his contained statistical data - "20% of
companies; 24.27% of parliamentarians felt that; I
recently read in a Jupiter Report that..." and so on
so forth. Soon, the rest of the team either laughed
at him or ignored his attempts to enlighten them as
they perceived that he was cooking up the data.
Common Mistakes-Egotism Showing off
• Exercise restraint in anything. You will end up being
frowned upon if you attempt showing-off your knowledge.
• Facts and figures need not validate all your statements.
• Its your analysis and interpretation that are equally
important - not just facts and figures.
• You might be appreciated for your in-depth knowledge. But
you will fail miserably in your people skills.
(Such a behavior indicates how self-centered you are and
highlights your inability to work in an atmosphere where
different opinions are expressed.)
 Common Mistakes -Get noticed - But for the right reasons

• Srikumar knew that everyone would compete to

initiate the discussion. So as soon as the topic -
"Discuss the negative effects of India joining the
WTO" - was read out, he began talking. In his
anxiety to be the first to start speaking, he did not
hear the word "negative" in the topic. He began
discussing the ways in which the country had
benefited by joining WTO, only to be stopped by the
evaluator, who then corrected his mistake.
 Common Mistakes -Get noticed - But for the right reasons

• False starts are extremely expensive. They cost you your

admission. It is very important to listen and understand the topic
before you air your opinions.
• Spending a little time analyzing the topic may provide you with
insights which others may not have thought about. Use a pen and
paper to jot down your ideas.
• Listen! It gives you the time to conceptualize and present the
information in a better manner.
(Some mistakes are irreparable. Starting off the group discussion
with a mistake is one such mistake, unless you have a great sense
of humor. )
 Common Mistakes-Managing one's insecurities

Sumati was very nervous. She thought that

some of the other candidates were
exceptionally good. Thanks to her insecurity,
she contributed little to the discussion. Even
when she was asked to comment on a
particular point, she preferred to remain
silent.
 Common Mistakes-Managing one's
insecurities
• Your personality is also being evaluated. Your
verbal and non verbal cues are being read.
• Remember, you are the participant in the GD;
not the evaluator. So, rather than evaluating
others and your performance, participate in
the discussion.
 Common Mistakes-Managing one's
insecurities
• Your confidence level is being evaluated.
Decent communication skills with good
confidence is a must to crack the GDs.
(Focus on your strengths and do not spend too
much time thinking about how others are
superior or inferior to you. It is easy to pick up
these cues from your body language. )
The tips given below are applicable in any GD

• Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be

someone you are not. Be yourself.
• A group discussion is your chance to be more
vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
• Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of
what you are going to say.
• Seek clarification if you have any doubts
regarding the subject.
 Tips on GD (continued)
• Don't start speaking until you have clearly
understood and analyzed the subject.
• Work out various strategies to help you make an
entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone
else's point and then move onto express your views.
• Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining
attention and recognition. If you do not give valuable
insights during the discussion, all your efforts of
initiating the discussion will be in vain.
 Tips on GD (continued)
• Your body language says a lot about you - your
gestures and mannerisms are more likely to
reflect your attitude than what you say.
• Language skills are important only to the
effect as to how you get your points across
clearly and fluently.
• Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a
balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
 Tips on GD (continued)
• Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything
you object to. The key is to stay objective:
Don't take the discussion personally.
• Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme
phrases like: `I strongly object' or `I disagree'.
Instead try phrases like: `I would like to share
my views on…' or `One difference between
your point and mine…' or "I beg to differ with
you"
 Tips on GD (continued)
• Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate
the other members of the team to speak (this
surely does not mean that the only thing that
you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what
the young lady with the blue scarf has to say,"
or “friend”, let us hear your views" -
Essentially be subtle), and listen to their views.
Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be
abrasive or aggressive.
 Tips on GD (continued)
• If you have a group of like-minded friends, you
can have a mock group discussion where you
can learn from each other through giving and
receiving feedback.
 Tips on GD (continued)
Apart from the above points, the panel will also
judge team members for their alertness and
presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability
to work as a team without alienating certain
members, and creativity.

Don't be disheartened if you did not do well in you

r first group discussion. The best possible preparati
on for a group discussion is to learn from your past
mistakes...