Group Discussion in Business Communication

1. GROUP DISCUSSION
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Efforts by:
Vibhor Agarwal

2. “The aim of an
argument or
discussion
should not be
victory, but
progress”.

3. Meaning of Group
Discussion
• Group Discussion is a
modern method of
assessing students
personality.
• It is both a technique
and an art and a
comprehensive tool to
judge the worthiness of
the student and his
appropriateness for the
job.

4. Definition of Group
Discussion
• “It is a process of examining or
considering something in detail in a
group.”
• It is a process of incorporating
(include, encompass, involve) views
of different team members to reach
a common goal.”

5. Points to know…
• The term suggests a discussion among a group of
persons.
• Normal duration of a G.D: 15 to 20 mins.
• Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the
panel members.
• The GD is between you and the other members,
not the panel members.
• You must avoid even looking at the panel members
while the GD is in progress.
• Just ignore their existence.

6. Points to know…
• Seating arrangements: Circular or semi circular
• Addressing the members in the beginning: Dear
Friends. Later: He or She.
• Selecting a leader: Not supposed to select a leader.
A leader emerges automatically.

7. • Papers allowed for writing: Depends on the
organizer.
• When the topic is not clear: Do not ask the panel
members. Wait for someone else to begin and
learn.
• Being the starter of a discussion: Only if you
know the topic well.
• Use of examples: always attracts

8. • GD is elimination or selection process: Generally
a selection process.
• Making a summary at the end: Good thing to do
as it proves your leadership qualities.
• Speaking often gives an edge over others: The
one who speaks the most is often not selected.

9. Why a Group Discussion?
( PPuurrppoossee ooff GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonnss))
• Group discussions are often used for
selecting candidates after the written test
for employment.
• They also provide us with an avenue to
train ourselves in various interpersonal
skills.
• Used to solve problems and finding
solutions.

10. Advantages of Group Discussion
• It helps to generate new ideas.
• It helps to understand a subject 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 improves your listening skills.
• It increases your confidence in speaking.

11. Advantages of Group Discussion
• It can change your attitude.
• It gives an opportunity to hear other
person’s opinion.
• It enables a participant to put across his
view point.
• It can change your opinion and show you
things from a different perspective.

12. Contd.
• Stimulation of thinking in a new way.
• Expansion of knowledge.
• Understanding of your strengths and
weaknesses.
• Your true personality is revealed and qualities of
leadership crystallize.
• Provides chance to expose
• Language skills are improved.
• It enhances Academic
Knowledge.

13. Contd.
• Leadership skills are
adjudged.
• People handling skills.
• Team work
• General knowledge is tested and increased.

14. Types of Group Discussion
• Structured group discussion
• Unstructured group discussion
• Role play
• Group discussion with a nominated
leader
• On the basis of topic
• Controversial topics group discussion
• Abstract topic group discussion
• Case study topic group discussion

15. SSttrruuccttuurreedd GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Now-a-days most of the selectors
stick to structured form of Group
Discussion.
Structured Group Discussion is a
style where topic is thrown to the
candidates by the selectors.

16. UUnnssttrruuccttuurreedd GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
• In unstructured Group Discussion
candidates themselves have to
decide the topic with mutual consent.
• Unstructured Group Discussion is
rarely being used today.

17. Chairman ttyyppee ooff GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
• Normally a Group Discussion is of
egalitarian (advocating equal rights
for all) nature, where all candidates
are treated equally.
• The idea is to find a natural leader
in the group.

18. Chairman ttyyppee ooff GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
• But in the chairman type of Group
Discussion a candidate is nominated
as the chairperson.
• The chairperson of the group can
also be elected by the members of
the group.

19. RRoollee PPllaayy
• In this type of Group Discussion candidates are
given a problematic situation.
• Each candidate in the group is then assigned a
specific role or character to play.
• They need to solve the problem.
• For example, a situation could be given where in
a spacecraft is wrecked on the moon with nine
people ( or as many people as there are group
members ) stranded (stuck).
• All nine people are described usually by
occupation.

20. RRoollee PPllaayy
• There is a small spacecraft available which
can carry back only one person to safety.
• Each person is assigned the role of one of
those nine stranded persons and has to
persuade the rest of the group as to why
he should be the one allowed to return to
the earth in the smaller spacecraft and act
according to their characters.

21. PPrreerreeqquuiissiitteess ooff aa GGrroouupp
DDiissccuussssiioonn
• Topic given by panelists
• Planning and preparation
• Knowledge with self-confidence
• Communication skills/ power of
speech
• Presentation
• Body Language and personal
appearance
• Be calm and cool

22. Contd.
• Extensive knowledge related to
state, country and globe.
• Areas are politics, sports, science &
trade commerce, Industry and
Technology, MNC, etc.
• Analyze the social, economical issues
logistically .
• Listening skills
• Co-operation

23. Evaluation during Group
Discussion
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Persuasive skills

24. •Interpersonal skills
Ability to remain cool
Ability to remain objective
Ability to be a team player
Emotional maturity
•Problem solving skills
Creativity
Ability to come up with divergent
and innovative solution

25. •Communication Skills
Listening Skills
Fluency
Language
Phonetic Ability
Overall Impression
• Persuasive skills
Ability to persuade others without
hurting them.

26. • Leadership skills
Initiative
Team spirit
Endurance
Decision Making
Overall Impression

27. •Personality
• Appearance
• Temperament
• Posture and Gesture
• Mental state
• Knowledge
• Depth
• Analytical ability
• Organization of ideas

28. Salient features of G.D
• Topic may be given to judge your public
speaking talent.
• Discussion revolves around a specific
subject.
• The observer does not interfere once he
announces the topic.
• Maintain cordiality and free expression
of thought and opinion.

29. Important points in group
discussion
• Be assertive: An assertive person is direct,
honest, careful about not hurting others
‘self-respect’.
• A patient listener: listening to another
person is one way of showing appreciation.
• Right language : Words can make friends
& right words at the right time give the
best results.

30. Important points in group
discussion
• Be analytical and fact-oriented : It is
necessary to make relevant points which
can be supported with facts and analyzed
logically.

31. AAcccceepptt ccrriittiicciissmm
• If any member of the group criticizes or
disapproves a point, it is unwise to get
upset or react sharply.
• In case the criticism is flimsy
(unsubstantial), the same can be
pointed out politely.
• Maximize participation ; one must
try to contribute fully, vigorously
(energetically ) & steadily throughout
the discussion.

32. AAcccceepptt ccrriittiicciissmm
• Show leadership ability: A group
discussion also evaluates your
leadership qualities.
• Accept someone's point of view
• Praise the argument
• Express your argument with few facts,
cases, newspapers publications etc.
• Express without hurting others
feelings.

33. • Suggestions
• Never try to bluff (pretend to have
knowledge).
• Practice group discussion with friends on
different subjects.

34. Body Language in Group
discussion
• Your attire should be formal and
professional.
• Do not wear flashy and bright colors, too
much of jewelry or heavy make-up.
• Be natural. Do not put on an accent or try
to pose what you are not.
• While sitting on the chair do not slouch.
• Maintain a straight and comfortable
position.

35. Body Language in Group
discussion
• Avoid crossing arms as well as legs while
seated.
• Avoid distracting habits like biting nails,
clicking pens, etc.
• Avoid aggressive and dominating gestures
like pointing fingers at fellow participants,
raising the voice, etc.
• Understand the difference between
assertive and aggressive behavior.

36. CCoonnttdd..
• Do not stare at anybody.
• Maintain soft eye contact with as many
people as you can.
• Do not look down or up while speaking.
• Do not be conscious of the evaluators, if
any.
• Forget that you are being evaluated,
otherwise this will make you conscious of
your actions and will adversely affect your
behavior.

37. CCoonncclluussiioonn
• Conclusion is as important as introduction.
• In some cases, the facilitator asks non
speaker to conclude.
• Make sure you remember all important
points discussed.

38. Topics ooff IImmppoorrttaannccee ffrreeqquueennttllyy
ddiissccuusssseedd
• Is India Shining
• Mobile phones / Internet – a boon or
nuisance (annoying, or vexatious)
• Students focusing on software industry-good
or bad
• Child marriage
• India 2020
• Daughters are more caring than sons
• Influence of western culture in Indian
Universities
• Influence of computers in medical sciences

39. SSoommee DDoo’’ss
• Listen to the subject carefully
• Put down your thoughts on a paper
• Initiate the discussion if you know the
subject well
• Listen to others if you don’t know the
subject
• Support your point with some facts and
figures
• Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds
3-4 times

40. SSoommee DDoo’’ss
• Give others a chance to speak
• Speak politely and pleasantly.
• Respect contribution from other members.
• Disagree politely and agree with what is
right.
• Summarize the discussion if the group has
not reached a conclusion.

41. SSoommee DDoonn’’ttss
• Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient
knowledge about the given topic.
• Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to
speak.
• Argue and shout during the GD
• Look at the evaluators or a particular group
member
• Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion
• Pose negative body gestures like touching the
nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking the table
with a pen etc.

42. SSoommee DDoonntt’’ss
• Mention erratic statistics (Lacking consistency or
uniformity).
• Display low self confidence with shaky voice and
trembling hands.
• Try to dominate the discussion
• Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking
them to speak if they don’t want.