gd- an introduction

8/7/2019 GD- An introduction

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Group Discussion (GD)What is Group discussion?

A GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidatehas certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its members.

Personality Traits the GD is trying to gauge may include :-

Ability to work in a team Communication skills Reasoning ability Leadership skills

Initiative Assertiveness Flexibility Creativity Listening Awareness


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Why GD?

Institutes Perspective -

The reason why institutes put you through a Groupdiscussion and an interview, after testing your technicaland conceptual skills in an exam.

N ow to know you as a person and gaugehow well you will fit in their institute.


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Why GD?Companys Perspective

Companies conduct group discussion after the written test so as tocheck on your

Interactive skillsHow good you are at communicating with other people.How you behave, participate and contribute in a group.How much importance do you give to the group objective as well asyour own.How well do you listen to viewpoints of othersHow open-minded are you in accepting views contrary to your own.

The aspects which make up a GD are verbal communication, non-verbal behavior, conformation to norms, decision-making ability andcooperation.


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Preparation for GD?

GD reflects the inherent qualities of anindividual .

R eading: This is the first and the most crucial step in preparation.

Mocks: Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discussand exchange feedback.


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During the GD:

Panelists assess on:Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, inspireand carry the team along to help them achieve the group's objectives.

Communication Skills -Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language.

Interpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any job.

Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade

GD is a test of your ability to think, your analyticalcapabilities and your ability to make your point in a

team-based environment.


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Skills that reflects:Clarity of thoughtGroup working skills (especially during a grouptask of case study discussion)

Conflict handlingListening and probing skillsKnowledge about the subject and individualpoint of viewAbility to create a consensusOpeness and flexibility towards new ideasData based approach to decision making


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My chance to speak

H ow do I take my chance to speak:

Trying to interrupt others while speaking would onlyharm your chances. Maintain an eye-contact with the speaker. This would

show your listening skills Would help you gauge from his eye-movement and

pitch of voice that he is about to close his inputs. You can quickly take it from there. Try and link your inputs with what he has spoken

whether you are adding to or opposing his arguments.


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+ve task Roles in GDInitiator Information seeker Information giver Procedure facilitator Opinion seeker

Opinion giver Clarifier Social Supporter H armonizer Tension R eliever Energizer Compromiser Gatekeeper Summarizer


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-ve Roles in GD

Disgruntled non-participant

Attacker Dominator Patronizer

Clown


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GD Tips

Initiation TechniquesBody of the group discussionSummarization/ Conclusion


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Initiation Techniques

When you initiate a GD, you not only grab theopportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of theexaminer and your fellow candidates.

If you can make a favorable first impression with your content and communication skills after you initiate a GD,it will help you sail through the discussion.

But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quotewrong facts and figures, the damage might beirreparable.


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B ody of the GD

Techniques to initiate a GD

i. Quotesii. Definitioniii. Questioniv. Shock statement

v. Facts, figures and statisticsvi. Short storyvii. General statement


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Summarization/

ConclusionMost GD doesnt really have conclusions. Aconclusion is where the whole group decides in

favor or against the topic.

But every GD is summarized. You can summarieswhat the group has discussed in the GD in a

nutshell.


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While summarizing a

discussion:Avoid raising new points.Avoid stating only your viewpoint.

Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.Keep it brief and concise.It must incorporate all the important points thatcame out during the GD.

If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, itmeans the GD has come to an end.Do not add anything once the GD has beensummarized.


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Types of GDGDs can be topic-based or case-based .

1. Factual TopicsE.g. The education policy of any country, Tourism, State of the aged in the nation.

2. Controversial TopicsE.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers

3. Abstract Topics Abstract topics are about intangible things.

Case-based GDThe case study tries to simulate a real-lifesituation.


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Why do we have GD?

It helps you to understand a subject more deeply.It improves your ability to think critically.It helps in solving a particular problem.It helps the group to make a particular decision.It gives you the chance to hear others ideas.It improves your listening skills.It increases your confidence in speaking.It can change your attitudes.


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Improving GD Skills

Observe How do other students make critical comments? How do they ask questions?

How do they disagree with or support arguments? What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are

voicing disagreement?

How do they signal to interrupt, ask a question or make a point?

Practice Start practicing your discussion skills in an informal setting or with a small

group.

Participate Take every opportunity to take part in social/informal discussions


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Discussion Etiquette

DoSpeak pleasantly and politely to the group.

Respect the contribution of every speaker.Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn todisagree politely.Think about your contribution before you speak. How bestcan you answer the question/ contribute to the topic?

Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevantinformation.Be aware of your body language when you are speaking.Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.


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Discussion Etiquette

Don'tLose your temper. A discussion is not an argument.Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.

Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures likefinger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive.Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allowquieter a chance to contribute.Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote.

Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are sayingbefore you speak.


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Leading a Discussion

You may be in a seminar group that requires you tolead a group discussion, or lead a discussion after an oral presentation. You can demonstrate

leadership by:

introducing yourself and the members of the group stating the purpose of the discussion

inviting quiet group members to speak being objective summarizing the discussion


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Chairing a Group

DiscussionWhen chairing a discussion group you mustcommunicate in a positive way to assist thespeakers in accomplishing their objective.The following four leadership skills you can use toinfluence other people positively and help your group achieve its purpose. These skills include:

introducing the topic and purpose of the discussion, making sure all members have approximately the same

time thanking group members for their contribution being objective in summarizing the group's discussion

and achievements


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H ow to Face GD

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


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Communication Skills

The first aspect is one's power of expression.

You should be precise and clear Listen is also what evaluators judgeYou should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily and convincinglybefore a group of people.


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Knowledge and ideas

Knowledge of the subject under discussionand clarity of ideas are important

Comes from consistent reading Knowledge makes one confident and

enthusiastic That makes one sound convincing and

confident. Thats the key to crack GD


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Leadership & Coordinating

The basic aim of a group discussion is to:Judge a candidate's leadership qualities.The examiner becomes a silent spectator A candidate should display tactfulness, skill,

understanding and knowledge on varied topics,enterprise, forcefulness and other leadership

qualitiesMotivate and influence other candidates who maybe almost equally competent


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Exchange of ThoughtsGD is an exchange of thoughts and ideasamong membersGD is held for selecting personnel in

organizations where there is a high level of competitionGD purpose is to get an idea about candidate ina short time & make assessment about

The candidates skills onTeam membershipLeadership skillsListening andArticulation skills


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Addressing Group

as a wholeAddress the person farthest from you. If he canhear you everyone else too can.

Attend the group discussion in formal dress.The language used should also be formal, not thelanguage used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like "yar", "chalta hai",

"CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a high sounding,

pedantic language.just use formal, plain and simple language.


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Thorough Preparation

Only 460 candidates make it to the finallist from 2.75 Lac civil service aspirants

each year.

READING VARIOUS TOPICS &

KNOWLEDGE ON THEM IS THEKEY TO SUCCESS


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GD MistakesEmotional outburst ANGER

Quality Vs Quantity

MAXIMUM TALKEgotism Showing off (SELFIS HN ESS) FAKE FIGURES / INFORMATIONGet noticed - B ut for the right reasons WANT TO BE THE FIRSTManaging one's insecurities NERVOUSNESS


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Thank You

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