GROUP DISCUSSION SKILLS

Introduction People may achieve much by acquiring knowledge and skills, but lack leadership and communication skills. Some of the highest achievers may rarely speak unless they have been asked a direct question and, even then, their responses may be limited. Group Discuss on can be used as a vehicle to encourage thought and to practice a wider range of skills, specifically communication and problem-solving skills that may be required in their future working life. Companies make use of this technique to filter people in an Interview. When a large number of interviewees turn up for the interview this becomes the most important round for screening people. In Group Discussion companies shortlist only those people who have necessary skills like listening skills, a proactive attitude and leadership qualities but at the same time he /she should be a team player and possess People skills. Group discussion is an important dimension of the job selection process. Any job requires employees to work with others for effective functioning. Therefore, people skills are an important aspect of any job. In today's context, themselves interest the organizations in team players rather than individual contributors even if they are excellent performers. Describing Group Discussions: Normally groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group and 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 up with a solution for a problem. The group may be given a topic and asked to discuss it. A panel will observe the proceedings and evaluate the members of the group.

Types of Group Discussion Panel. In a panel discussion, a small group of individuals (from three to five) who are knowledgeable about a particular subject discuss the topic among themselves in front of an audience. Panel participants make no formal presentations and exchange ideas through conversation.

Dialogue. This method is very similar to a panel discussion but only two individuals take part in discussing the subject in front of an audience.

Symposium. In a symposium, a small number of speakers who are knowledgeable about a particular subject make short presentations in succession. These presentations usually range from five to fifteen minutes each. Forum. This form of discussion allows for participation by the audience. There are several types of forums. The most common are: Open forum: Members of the audience are allowed to participate at any time during the meeting. Panel-forum: Members of an audience hear a panel discussion and are then allowed to ask questions or to comment on the subject under discussion. Conference-forum: Members of the audiences hear presentations by invited speakers and are then allowed to question, discuss, or comment. Dialogue-forum: Members of the audience are allowed to question, discuss, or comment after the dialogue. Lecture-forum: After a formal presentation by a knowledgeable speaker, audience members are given the opportunity to question, comment, seek clarification, or discuss the information presented. Buzz Session: The audience is divided into groups of six to eight people to discuss relevant questions posed by the leader. One individual from each group may be asked to summarize the group's discussion and report to the entire audience.

Skills For A Group Discussion: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Leadership skills Communication skills Interpersonal skills Persuasive skills Problem solving skills Conceptualizing skills

1. Leadership skills Ability to take leadership roles and lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve group's objectives. In today's business climate, organizations are interested in team players rather than individual contributors. During the Group Discussion the panel essentially evaluates the candidate's potential to be a leader and also his/her ability to work in a team. Remember that institutes are typically on the look out for candidates who will inspire to lead and succeed and for that you need to be a good team player. Example: To be able to initiate the group discussion, or guide the group especially when the discussions begins to lose relevance, and try to encourage all members to participate in the discussion. 2. Communication skills: The participating candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aptitude is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views, Example: To be able to use simple language and explain concepts dearly so that it is easily understood by all. You actually get negative marks for using esoteric jargons in an attempt to show-off your knowledge. 3. Interpersonal skills: Is reflected in the ability of the individual to interact with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more people centric and less self-centered. Example: To remain cool even when someone provokes you with a personal comment, ability to remain objective, ability to empathize, nonthreatening and more of a team player.

4. Persuasive skills: Ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from multiple perspectives without causing resentment among group members, Example: Whilst appreciating someone else's point of view, you should be able to effectively communicate your view without overtly causing offence to the other person.

5. Problem solving skills: Ability to come out with divergent and offbeat solutions and use one's own creativity. Example: Whilst thinking of solutions, don't be afraid to think of novel solutions. This is a high-risk high-return strategy.

6. Conceptualizing skills: The ability to grasp a situation, take it from the day to day mundane problem level and apply it to a macro level, Example: At the end of a discussion, you could probably summarize to findings in a few sentences that present an overall perspective. A note of caution - Can we acquire all the skills overnight or can we put up a show? A group discussion is a simulated exercise, where you cannot suddenly put on a show since the evaluators will see through you easily. The purpose of the article is to sensitize you to these issues so that you can develop yourself with time.

Group Discussion Tips

We would like to shares some tips to give you the edge during your group discussion. Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself so the employer gets to know the real you A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The point of interest to the evacuator is to hear you speak, Take time to think of what you are going to say - if allowed, take a piece of paper and a pen with you and jot down your thoughts, before verbalizing them. This could help you create the right framework for your discussion. If you have any doubts regarding the subject or about what another team member has said, ask for clarification. Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analysed 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. Do not be swayed when you are told that opening the discussion is 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. The score you receive depends not only on your verbal communication, but also on non-verbal skills. 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 as hey reflects 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. Be patient, don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key ts to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally. Always be polite and t ry to avoid using extreme phrases like: ' I strongly object' or ' I disagree'. Instead try phrases like " 1 would like to share my views on..' or " One difference between your point and mine ..'

 Brush up on your leadership skills motivate the other members of the team to speak and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive. 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.

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 6e disheartened if you don't make it after your first group discussion the Best possible preparation for a group discussion is to (earn from your past mistakes

Group Discussion (GD)

DOS

and Don'ts

Do build rapport with group members. Do maintain a sense of humor while facilitating. Don'1 let one or a few members of the group monopolize the discussion. Don't create the impression that you are an expert on the topic (even if you are an expert).

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 lo say Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject 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 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 as they reflect how you get your points across clearly and fluently Be assertive not dominating and try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis 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 and try to avoid using extreme phrases like. I strongly object' or 'I disagree' Instead try phrases like ! would like lo share my views on .' or One difference between your point and mine.. ' or "I beg lo differ with you" Brush up on your leadership skills motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing you do in the GD Is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue scarf has lo say," or "Raghu, 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

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

Group discussions: Learning from mistakes So you feet that this group discussion is going to end up like the others no interview call? Possibly a rejection letter? If you do your group discussion is a lost cause even before you attend it. If you have attended even one group discussion in the past, think about what mistakes you may have committed in the past you could possibly list these mistakes on paper and make sure not repeat them. To help you crack your fear of failure here's a list of the most common mistakes made at group discussions: Pavithra was very offended when one discussion made a statement on women generally being submissive while explaining his point of view. When Pavithra finally got an opportunity to speak instead of focusing on the topic she accused the other candidate being a male chauvinist and went on to defend women in general. This example highlights some of the common mistakes made during a group discussion Deviating from the subject. Treating the discussion as a forum to air your own views. Losing objectivity and making personal attacks. This kind of behavior is perceived as Immature and is de-motivating for the rest of the team. Shelia believed that the more she talked the more likely she was to be evaluated positively. Every opportunity she would express her views often interrupting other people. She did this so often that the other candidates got together to prevent her from participating In the rest of the discussion. You are being assessed not only for your communication skills but also for your ability to work as a team. Your contribution to the discussion must be relevant, The evaluation will be based on the quality of your contribution rather than the quantity.

The aim of a group discussion is to get the various members of the team to express their opinions before coming to a consensus. Avoid dominating the discussion but rather encourage the rest of the team to contribute. Vijay was happy to have got a group discussion topic he had prepared for. During the discussion, he took pains to communicate to the others his vast knowledge of the topic. Every third sentence of his contained statistical data - "33.3% of companies... 27.26% of employees felt that... I recently read In Fortune that..." Soon, the rest of the team either laughed at him or ignored his attempts to enlighten them. The evaluator felt that Vijay was cooking up the data.

 Even if your knowledge of the subject is encyclopedic, you will end up being frowned upon by the panel and the group if you attempt showing-off your knowledge. You need not validate all your statements with facts and figures. Your people skills are more important than an in-depth knowledge of the subject . Being a show-off indicates how self-centered you are and only highlights your inability to work In an atmosphere where different opinions are expressed. Sharief knew that all the participants would compete with each other to initiate the discussion. So as soon as the topic - "Discuss the negative; effects of liberalisation on the Indian economy" - 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 from liberalisation, only to be stopped by the evaluator, who then corrected his mistake. It Is very important to listen and. understand the topic before you air your opinions. Spending a little time analysing the topic may provide you with insights, which others may not have thought about. Listening gives you the time to conceptualise the data so you can present the information you have in a better manner, Theres nothing worse then getting noticed by the evaluator for starting off the group discussion with a mistake. Madhavi was very nervous. She noticed that a couple of other candidates were exceptionally good. Because of her insecurity she contributed little to the discussion. She was sure she did not stand a chance against the others. Even when she was asked to comment on a particular point she preferred to keep mum. Your personality is also being evaluated. Your body language may reflect your low confidence. Participate in the discussion rather than evaluating others and your performance. You are the participant not the evaluator. Your language skills along with your self-confidence are what you will be evaluated on. Just having one of them is not going to get you the job

Focus on your strengths and do not spend too much time thinking negatively as it will have a negative Impact on your self-confidence. The evaluator will pick up these aspects from your body language.