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Suggestions for effective Group Discussion- 17-Feb-2010
GROUP DISCUSSION (GD) is today carried out in several leading organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and skills like ability to work in a team, verbal communication skills, non verbal behaviour, reasoning ability, leadership skills, initiative, assertiveness, flexibility, creativity, team work, conformation of norms, decision making ability that is desired in its members.
A GD can be topic based, case studies or group tasks. It tests how an individual functions as a part of a team; since as a manager he will always be working in teams, as a member or as a Leader, therefore, how to interact, communicate, behave, listen, participate and contribute in a group becomes an important criteria for selection.
It can be categorized into 3 phases namely Initial/Introduction, Body, Summarization/Conclusion.
Opening a discussion is a high risk-high return strategy. Never start you're GD with a stand or a conclusion. Initiate a GD only if you are well versed with the topic. If you start and fail to contribute at regular intervals, it gives the impression that you started the GD just for the sake of the initial points. Also if you fumble, stammer or misquote facts, it may work against you.
Remember, first impression is the final impression. Quotes, Definition, Questions, Shock Statement, Facts, Figures, Statistics and Anecdotes are the different techniques to initiate GD and make first impression, says a leading career counselor.
Just memorizing fact is pointless. One needs an in-depth understanding of various issues as well as the ability to analyze the topic and build arguments. Develop subject knowledge on current affair, general awareness and business trends. Spend lot of time analyzing each performance and get feedback from skilled person.
In the initial two minutes of GD understand the topic and analyze it mentally before speaking. Be clear in speech, be audible but not loud and remain confident. Be polite and firm but never criticize others.
Put forth your point in a very emphatic, positive and confident manners for which remember the 6 C's of Effective Communication: clarity, completeness, consciousness, confidence, correctness and courtesy. Learn to disagree politely, if required.
Management aspirants who lack Leadership can't be a good manager, Ability to show direction, co-ordination, inspiration, motivation, maintaining eye contact and contributing at regular intervals, non-verbal gesture such as listening attentively or by nodding and appreciating someone's viewpoint one can make a positive contribution.
However the best scoring points are Introduction, Keeping The discussion on track, Conclusion and Listening Skills.
An idea or a perspective, which opens new horizons and put across new idea convincingly for discussion on the GD topic, is always highly appreciated. Always strike a balance between expressing your ideas and listening to others. Conviction while speaking goes hand-in-hand with flexibility in approach and ability to appreciate the viewpoint of the other candidates.
Finally, most of the GD's follow one of the 3 formats: - Structured, Unstructured or Specialized.
Patience, Perseverance, Convincing power, Self-Confidence, Ability to articulate one's thought and Power of Persuasion are the hallmarks of the winner in GD.
Finer tips for GDs:
Knowledge is Strength. An aspirant with good reading habits has more chances of success.
Be deliberate and slow in Delivery of points.
Follow the Principle of Politeness.
Substantiate your point with suitable examples.
At your cost, do not provide opportunities for others to talk.
Try to listen well.
Do not be loud, emotional or angry.
Appreciate the viewpoints of others.
Never intervene unnecessarily when other speak.
Make your comment short and crispy.
Use simple, direct and straightforward language, avoid slang languages.
Maintain good rapport with fellow participants.
When someone appreciates your point of view respond positively and say, "Thank-You for your compliment."
Wind-up on time, which can be done by incorporating all-important points, discussed.
