GROUP DISCUSSION

Group discussion is all about your ability to present thoughts in a group and how you help your group to come to a final decision. Let me explain the process of group discussion, there is a panel jury that listens to a group discussion and credits points to every member of the group. You will be getting into a group where you also get a topic which is generally a topic from current affairs so that they can judge a candidate’s social skills, knowledge, conclusive abilities, and group discussion abilities. Once a topic is allowed to the group all the group members start giving their views about that topic. After a certain pre-determined time the jury members end the group discussion and allot points to each member based on their performances respectively.

So let us discuss some of the principles or rules which might help you in any group discussion, so understand them carefully.

• STOCK YOUR MIND WITH INFORMATION: If you have enough information, knowledge, and statistics in your mind then you will find it easy to speak about a topic for two to three minutes with concrete points on it. To increase your knowledge you should go through previously asked topics in the group discussion which will help you to set your mindset in a particular direction. You should also practice these topics and make notes on your solid or concrete points which you can use to impress other team members with your views. At last don’t forget to conclude your views, mention other team members’ names and a sweet note.
• UNDERSTAND THE TOPIC: If you have a good understanding of a topic then it becomes easy for you to control the flow of group discussion. Like if we are discussing software engineering and if you have a better understanding of it then it becomes easy to ask questions like Do you know the linear sequential model is better than the spiral model in cost estimation and deduction, which will make others feel than you have a piece of great knowledge and it makes others uncomfortable to speak in front of you.
• PRECISE AND SHARP YOUR THOUGHTS: It will enable you to share your thoughts with others in a very less amount of time also it will prove that you have a clear understanding of the topic. It will also encourage others to listen to you because you know very much about the fact and figures and statistical points on that topic.
• EXPLAIN YOUR THOUGHTS: You should explain your personal opinions too to the group members so that they don’t feel getting bored and you as book smart. When you give your personal touch to your views they feel more connected to you and develop more understanding with you. Remember one more thing while explaining your thoughts you should follow a persuasive communication rhythm like starting with a general introduction of the topic, providing context, asking open-ended questions, and then finally delivering facts as per your choice.
• TAKE THE INITIATIVE: This is the most important point, always remember in a group discussion the initiator gets more attention and others just follow the paths you make at the beginning of the discussion. So whenever you are in a discussion remember me and initiate the discussion but don’t forget that attention I mean to say just attention, not marks or points for it you have to provide a good context if you get fail to impress the jury as an initiator then initiator have to pay also for his/her mistake. Imagine me as an initiator and you as a jury member if I initiate the discussion to just get your attention but fail to impress you or I just ruin it with my facts and context then will you forgive me? No, never. So at last I again want to say that be the initiator but with good content.
• BE POLITE: It will save you from making a bad impression on the jury. Sometimes candidates can’t explain their thought and they get angry with other team members or sometimes even on the jury and in this way they lose their left chance of getting selected. So I mean to say that please be calm, polite and face the group discussion with a smile 🙂