Group discussion is conducted to recruit people who possess required knowledge and who can work in a team.

The following skills are required to ace in the group discussion.

Reading & updating knowledge

Listen to the news regularly and have good knowledge about current affairs. Bookworms Would be obviously able to perform better in group discussion.

Initiate GD

initiate GD only if when you are confident about the topic. always try to communicate only in English because communication skills cannot be learned in a day or two. listen to English songs (with titles) and watch English movies (with titles) and communicate only in English to have good command on language.

Time Management

Define the topic, note down few pros and cons and complete those points in time.

Paraphrasing / summarizing

if you are unable to initiate the topic, mention few pros and cons. You can paraphrase the topic. You can give a summary of the topic.

Creativity

people who are unable to initiate, should be able to build upon the mentioned points and be able to bring new dimension with their creativity.

Listen, Respond & Participate

After completing your turn, listen to others with passion and nod your head if you agree. Have eye contact with speakers and try to understand and respond according to their facial expression as you are aware that you are being observed and monitored by the recruiting team and judges.

Group management skills, Group presentation skills and public speaking skills.

Have good communication skills, keep eye contact and your tone should reflect your confidence levels. have good non- verbal communication and body language. Implement group management skills, group presentation skills and public speaking skills,leadership skills, Team building and Team management skills

communicating well in the GD is vital, at the same time do team work, involve silent members and demonstrate your leadership skills, team building and team management skills as they are required in professional environment.

Jot down points

Jot down points so that you can perform well in the GD

Have Patience

Listen to speakers with patience and acknowledge when something valuable is said. Be open minded and understand that people have various views about topic.

Interactive Skills

Your points should have meat and think analytically. GD is conducted to monitor how you, participate, behave and contribute in a group.

GROUP DISCUSSION SKILLS

Good communication skills / Listening skills / Presentation skills / Analytical skills / Logical skills / Team building skills / Motivational skills/ Tolerance / Patience / Non-verbal communication & body language.

TIPS to ace a GD like a pro

Listen to speakers with patience so that you can respond. Have willingness to accommodate views of others.

Don’t use jargons which cannot be understood by others.

Be a good communicator by receiving and sending information.

Avoid misunderstanding & gain attention of evaluators.

Be confident, stable and level headed.

Having good communication skills doesn’t mean only speaking fluently in English. communicator should have right attitude, ability to empathize and being confident.

You should be non-threatening and be able to remain cool when someone provokes with personal comments.

Have leadership skills and ability to inspire and lead team to achieve company’s objectives.

you should have good problem-solving skills and should be able to come out with solutions using your creativity.

Importance of listening skills

Active listening is essential for participant. You should be able to understand facts and ideas.

Listening to speaker generates new ideas and helps to conclude discussion.

Listening will make us learn new things and creates healthy and positive environment.

Listening will help gather and gain points.

Listening makes you aware and keeps you alert.

Importance of Presentation skills

Have good presentation skills, create interest and excitement in your talk with trust and enthusiasm.

What is Group Discussion?

A Group Discussion is a procedure used by educational institutes, organizations, corporate companies, and others to judge the communication skills of the interviewee.

Why Group discussion is required

To get in-depth information regarding a topic.

To gain ideas and exchange information.

To gain knowledge.

To improve critical thinking.

To improve communication skills.

To improve confidence in speaking.

A Group Discussion can improve ideas and attitudes. A Group Discussion makes a particular conclusion or come to decision.

A Group Discussion gives you the chance to hear the ideas and thoughts of others.

Strategies for improving Group Discussion skills

Observe

You should attend as many seminars and tutorials as possible and notice what others do.

Observe & understand:

How do other candidates start the discussion?

How do candidates ask questions?

How do participants disagree or support the topic?

How do participants make critical comments?

Prepare

You can't contribute to a discussion unless you are well-prepared.

Practice Group Discussion topics in informal settings and with class mates and friends

Get accustomed to express your opinion and develop discussion skills

Participate

The easy way is to participate by adding to the existing Group Discussion with small contribution by adding points.

The skills required to ace a GD like a pro

♦ Communication Skills ♦ Team Building Skills ♦ Interpersonal Skills ♦ Leadership Skills ♦ Motivational Skills ♦ Tolerance ♦Listening skills ♦ Clarity of thought ♦ Presentation Skills ♦ Analytical and Logical skills

Group discussion is an important activity required in academic, business, administrative fields. It is an interactive, purposeful and systematic process. In group discussion exchange of feelings, ideas and thoughts take place through oral interaction and communication. Debates are competitive in nature while group discussion is a co-operative group process. GD skills leads to academic success, reputation and admission or job.

Roles in a group discussion

: • Initiator • Information seeker and giver • Opinion seeker / giver • Clarifier • Summarizer • Social supporter • Harmonizer • Tension reliever • Energizer • Attacker • Dominator

GDs are topic-based or case-based.

Topic based group discussions are divided into three types: -

1. Factual Topics

2. Controversial Topics

3. Abstract Topics

Factual Topics: -

Factual topics are regarding socio-economic topics which people face in day-to-day life. E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India.

Controversial Topics: -

Controversial topics are argumentative in nature. They are used as a tool to create controversy. In such group discussions volume of sound in room are generally are in an elevated pitch. candidate’s patience, behavior, character, temper, stress handling capability and capacity to work in a team would be observed. Candidates should participate without getting emotional and personal.

E.g. Reservations should be removed. Smaller states would benefit the society. Women make better managers

Abstract Topics: -

Abstract topics are related to immaterial things. candidates thinking and creativity are tested.

E.g. Blue is better than red.

Chocolates taste better than ice creams

Case-based Gd: -

the discussion is regarding the case and not related to a topic.

They take up cases is related to real-life situations. Generally, IIMs have case-based discussions.

There was a Case-based Gd in IIM regarding an IT professional who was successful in his entire career. He was drawing a very high salary and purchased lavish house, car and bought expensive furniture. He married a beautiful girl and blessed with a son and a daughter. He also purchased other assets on EMI (Every month instalment).

He purchased everything only on EMI as he has taken job for granted forever. Due to recession, he lost his job.

His house, car, and other assets were taken away by bank authorities as he couldn’t pay EMI. He did not understand how to survive and committed suicide along with his wife and children.

This case was studied and discussed about what went wrong.

The final conclusion was, he was programmed to get success but was not trained to face a failure.

The lesson from this incident is that we need to hope for the best and also be prepared for the worst.

DEBATE

Debate is a discussion on a particular topic or subject in a meeting.

The debate comes to a close with the audience vote or judge’s vote and sometimes both of them would be taken to consideration.

A debate is a discussion or an interactive argument about a matter or a topic on which people have various views.

In a debate teams need to convince that they are right.

The skills required to ace a Debate like a pro

♦ Communication Skills ♦ Team Building Skills ♦ Interpersonal Skills ♦ Leadership Skills ♦ Motivational Skills ♦ Tolerance ♦Listening skills ♦ Clarity of thought ♦ Presentation Skills ♦ Analytical and Logical skills, Good Nonverbal communication and body language

Structure of Debate

A formal debate usually involves three groups, supporting a resolution (affirmative team), one opposing the resolution (opposing team), and those who are judging the arguments of the teams (Judges)in the debate.

debate makes the candidates learn and develop good communication skills, Team Building Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership Skills, Motivational Skills, , Tolerance, Listening skills, Clarity of thought, Presentation Skills, Analytical and Logical skills, Confidence, Curiosity, Critical Thinking and Creativity.

Debates make the candidate accustom to public speaking.

Debates make the candidate learn and develop the following skills. Confidence, Curiosity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity, Leadership.

Candidates develop an attitude to accept constructive criticism from judges which is required to improve future performance.

In debates use appropriate body language and nonverbal communication.

During your debates, you'll want to use your body language to convey a sense of confidence.

1. Avoid speaking very fast.

2. keep eye contact with the audience and judges.

3. Keep open palms and avoid crossed arms.

4. Neither shout at any one nor point out your figure at anyone when you disagree.