Group Discussion
A Group Discussion is an extremely popular group exercise used as a selection tool for college admissions, scholarships and job appointments. It can also be used as a screening tool to shortlist applicants for certain positions requiring public speaking skills. A group discussion is a time-efficient technique which offers the examiner a chance to evaluate several candidates at a time. By gauging their responses and performances in a group setting, he looks for many human traits which can be assessed only in a group setting. That explains why a group discussion is an excellent psychometric tool for a trained evaluator to sift the grain from the chaff.
Most organizations/ institutions have a clear idea of the skills and knowledge they are looking for in a prospective candidate. In line with this idea, they design a selection procedure to find out the best possible talent. In general, a Group Discussion aims to assess the following skills among the candidates being evaluated:
1. Logical and analytical abilities
2. Leadership abilities
3. Flexibility
4. Team work
5. Communication Skills
6. Situation handling
It would help to assess one's strengths in these areas listed above and put in the required efforts accordingly. All skills are required to become a successful professional in any field.
Group Discussion - The Process
A group discussion is a leaderless group exercise. Usually, a bunch of candidates (numbering 8 to 15) is given a topic or a situation to discuss. The group is normally given some time (I.e. a few minutes) to think about it, and thereafter, is supposed to discuss it for 20 to 40 minutes. The group discussion topics can be based on current events, social problems, business, sports or any general issue. In general, the more well-read and better-informed you are, the better prepared you will be for a group discussion.
Group Discussion - How To Get Ready For It?
To ready oneself for a group discussion, start reading good newspapers and current affairs magazines to update yourself on the world around you. A thorough awareness of hot, current issues points to a well-rounded personality. Make a habit of reading newspapers and magazines regularly and watching TV news channels to get wider perspectives on current issues of interest. While doing so, please remember that you need not think in a manner similar to the writer's or the speaker's. You are free to think in your manner and put forward new, innovative ideas. In reality, new ideas and creative solutions to existing problems make a group discussion more interesting and fruitful.
Group Discussion - Should I start it?
Yes, by all means, but if you decide to take the plunge first in a group discussion, you ought to know about the topic in good measure. Otherwise, you the great risk of treading on a landmine. If you are ill-informed or confused about the topic, wait awhile and let others speak on it. In fact, you may even ask for a clarification from others if you are totally clueless about the topic. It shows you in good light as you are keen to learn.
Listen to others carefully and once you have gathered some knowledge and can think of good ideas, you may start speaking. Remember, careful listening is an important part of a good speaker's art. You should think of your own examples to participate in the discussion. It shows your alertness and also how much importance you give to others. A major precaution, while quoting examples, is: Do not generalize one-off instances of something. Make sure that the data you quote are taken from reliable sources.
Sometimes in a group discussion, the proceedings can be a total mess but it does not pay to get irritated. You need to be calm and composed through the process despite the provocations. Many a time, in a messy discussion, only those candidates, who display calm, are selected.
Groups Discussions - Some Practical Suggestions
1. Understanding - Pry apart the topic into its components and grasp it fully before you start.
2. Initiative - Taking the initiative for something is always a good idea provided you are equipped to do so. By all means, grab the initiative to start the group discussion, if you can. You will get extra credit for this but taking initiative just for the heck of it is undesirable. If you take the first step, make sure to provide a roadmap to the group for further movement.
3. Entry - Try to enter in phases. Ideally, you should enter the discussion 2-3 times. Heated discussions are never the right time to make your point; instead, wait for a low phase to enter. Remember, if you speak calmly, everyone listens to you intently. At no point of time should you try to speak loudly just to make others listen to you.
4. Structure - List your points and arguments logically to support your viewpoint. It's always more effective if you speak in a point format.
5. Speaking - Try getting a chance to speak. If you do not, create it.
6. Involvement- Listen to others throughout the group discussion. Even a hmm.. or ya.. indicates that you are in the loop.
7. Assertiveness - In case someone tries to shoot you down, do not yell or shout. Instead, assert your rights as a team member in a polite yet firm manner.
8. Summary - At the end, summarize all the salient ideas in the discussion 9. Articulation- Try to speak slowly, loudly and clearly.
9. Emphasis - Use appropriate body gestures to emphasize your points.
10. Listening- Be generous with praise and appreciate others' points if you find them valuable.
11. Quality- Speaking for a long time to hog the limelight is not a good idea. What you say is always more important than how much you say.
Are You Preparing for Group Discussion. Find Latest Gd Topics. Know more about Group Interview at our site.
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