Group Discussion Tips & Tricks

A group discussion (GD) is a simulated exercise, where you cannot suddenly put up a show, since the evaluators will see through you easily. GD is a discussion by a group of people which involves an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Group Discussions are largely used by institutes where there is a high level of competition. The number of participants in a group may vary from 8 to 15 people. In most cases a topic or a situation is given to the group and the members have to discuss it within a given period of time

A group discussion consists of:

• Communication Skills
• Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject
• Capability to co-ordinate and lead
• Exchange of thoughts
• Addressing the group as a whole
• Thorough preparations

There are some simple procedures that can help you to foster equal and open sharing in group discussions, whether with fellow teachers or with your students

A good description of your objective is - to be noticed to have contributed significantly in an attempt to help the group reach the right consent.
The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give.
When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the right perspective or framework. So nitiate one only if you have in depth knowledge about the topic at hand.

There are different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:

• Quotes
• Definition
• Short story
• Question
• Shock statement
• Facts, figures and statistics

You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say.

Critical success factors in a GD

Cognitive skills or knowledge

The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give.

Comprehension of the core idea

It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and whether you are offering relevant solutions.

Logical reasoning

It includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments, analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant. Such people convey an impression of being open minded and logic driven rather than opinionated.

Behavioural and personality skills

This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation, amenability, leadership, etc.

Communication skills

You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say.

Clarity of thoughts

In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/order rather then presenting the points in some bits and pieces.

Body language and eye contact

These are some tools which check your level of confidence and whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.


 Topics

1.   The parliamentary form of democracy has failed in India.
2.   Consumer satisfaction should be achieved at any cost.
3.   Managers do not add value to the society.
4.   Democracy is the only way to a sustained economic growth.
5.   Should youth indulge in politics?
6.   Liberalisation in 1991 was a forced one.
7.   Democracy is a luxury in India.
8.   What will the present budget be like?
9.   Management education should make job seekers job creators.
10. To prevent India from disintegrating, more autonomy should be given to the states.
11. Talk of social responsibility in the private sector is sheer hypocrisy.
12. Political crisis and the Indian economy
13. Corruption is an economic lubricant, and hence may not be all that bad.
14. The Indian economy is in shambles.
15. Government should reduce defence expenditure and spend more on social sector.
16. The UN has not served any purpose in the last decade.
17. Religion is a private matter and should be no concern of the state.
18. Will computerization make a robot of all human beings?
19. Women make better managers than men.
20. Do computers dehumanize society?
21. Success comes not so much by solving problems as by exploiting opportunities.
22. All higher education in India should be privatized.
23. GDs as a means of selection by the IIMs are a farce.
24. Is greed an essential human quality?
25. Pollution control is a luxury for India.
26. Engineers joining management is a national waste.
27. The pen is mightier than the sword, but fanaticism is the mightiest of all.
28. Has the Indian political structure outlived its utility?
29. Profit is the only business of business.
30. India should be reorganized into smaller states.
31. Growth and integrity are poles apart.
32. Managerial skills learnt from classroom can never match those learnt from experience.