Group Discussion

1. GROUP DISCUSSION
MOHAMMED ASLUM-SOFT SKILLS TRAINER-SONA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

2. SKILLS TESTED IN GROUP DISCUSSION

3. WHAT IS GROUP DISCUSSION?
 Group
 A group means many people are working together to achieve some targets. The performance of a
group depends on the collaborative work of the individuals. The team of three or more than three
people is considered as a group.
 Discussion
 Discussion means exchanging ideas between two or more than two people, which is generally a face-
to-face interaction. It is a process of talking between people to reach a specific decision. It is also
defined as a conversation about a specific topic.
 Result
 The result or end product of group discussion can be a particular decision, enhanced knowledge,
actions, an argument, doubt-clearing, disagreement, etc.

4. WHY GROUP DISCUSSION
 Test the soft skills of the candidates.
 Quick method to shortlist a few candidates from the massive strength
 Check the social skills, technical, and communication skills so that a candidate can work effectively
without any obstacle in between his/her skills.
 Test the personality skills, communication skills, teamwork, confidence, problem-solving skills, social
skills, behavior, and leadership abilities of a candidate.
 An intelligent candidate with good knowledge and skills sometimes lacks communication skills, which
can be a lack of confidence, hesitation in speaking, unable to explain his/her point of view, etc.
 Knowledge and technical skills are essential things for a candidate, but in an organization, he/she might
have to face the meetings, discussing technical issues, handling new employees, etc.

5. TIPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE GROUP DISCUSSION
 1. Awareness of Topics Relating to Your Background Is Crucial
 2. Take the Lead
 3. There Is No Place for Aggression in Group Discussions
 4. Communicate Effectively
 5. Listen Carefully, Do Not Just Hear
 6. Work On Your Body Language
 7. Avoid Deviating From the Topic
 8. Be the First to Summarize the Discussion
 9. Don’t Be Aggressive
 10. Don’t Give Up
 10 Roles in a Group Discussion

6. PROCESS
 Increases confidence
 Focuses on Deep thinking
 Improves Communication Skills
 Removes hesitation of speaking
 Team Work
 Behavior
 Listening Skills
 Diversity in the Ideas
 Recruitments
IMPORTANCE OF
GROUP DISCUSSION

7. RULES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
 Prepare well for the topic.
The quick trick is to note all the important points during the preparation time. Do not write brief paragraphs. Try to write
short points and explain them briefly in the discussion.
 Be confident about your content
It would help if you always were confident about your content. If you are not confident, you may hesitate while speaking,
which will create a negative impression.
 Participants Introduction
Most participants only focus on their content. You should be aware during the introduction of all the participants in your
group. To get attention, you can call out the person's name when the discussion gets diverted.
 Body Language
Always take care of your body language. Do not focus only on the content.
 Leadership
Try to take the lead in the group if you are confident about the topic and the knowledge.
 Avoid false starts or commitments
Do not initiate the discussion if you are not sure about your content. Do not present any wrong information.
 Follow your Domain
Every company has its own culture. Prepare your content according to the company requirements. For example, industrial
companies will focus more on technical talks, while marketing companies seek the combination of creative and oriented
content.
 Do not fight
In the Group Discussion, some candidates often get aggressive. Do not fight during the discussion. Most of the companies
require sensitive and polite candidates rather than aggressive ones.

8. CRITERIA FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
 Communication Skills
 Content
 Analytical Skills
 Creativity
 Decision Making
 Covering Mistakes
 Reasoning Skills
 Voice
 Fluency
 Enthusiasm
 Initiative

9. GROUP COORDINATION

10. SEVEN MISTAKES TO AVOID IN A GROUP DISCUSSION
 Stop taking leads if you do not know much
 Do not hesitate to initiate the discussion
 Do not copy anyone else ideas or comments
 Do not avoid eye contact with other participants while speaking
 Do not lose confidence in the whole discussion
 Do not speak slowly
 Try to contribute in a discussion rather than just speaking

11. SIMPLE HACKS TO CRACK GROUP DISCUSSION FOR BEGINNERS

12.  1. Introducing the topic
 Today we are here to discuss…
 The goal of our discussion today is…
 2. Bringing in other people
 What is your opinion, Miss. Hinata?
 Do you agree with Mr. Sasuke’s opinion,
Miss. Sakura?
 Mr. VCKsquare, what do you think we should
do?
 Mr. Experimental, what are your views
regarding this point?
 3. Keeping the Discussion Moving
 Let’s go on to another point.
 Next, let’s talk about…
 Let’s talk about that later.
4. Giving an opinion
In my opinion…
As far as I’m concerned…
Personally, I believe that…
The way I see it is…
5. Getting further information
Would you mind explaining that a little more, please?
Could you explain that more fully?
Could you tell us a bit more about that?

13.  6. Restating an idea
 In other words,
 That is, …
 What I’m trying to say is…
 I mean…
 To put it another way…
 7. Persuading Convincing
 You must admit that…
 Don’t forget that…
 You must remember that…
 8. Inquiring about Agreement or Disagreement
 Do/don’t you agree, Mr. Shikamaru?
 Wouldn’t you agree, Miss. Ino?
9. Expressing Agreement
Yes, that is right/correct.
You are right/correct.
I definitely agree with Ms. Kushina.
That’s exactly what I think.
10. Expressing Disagreement
I’m afraid I can’t agree with his/her
opinion.
That’s not quite how I see it.
I can see your point, but I don’t really
agree with it.

14.  11. Expressing doubt or reservation
 Well, maybe, but I’m not sure about that.
 Hmm, he may be correct but I’m not sure.
 I can see your point, but I’m not sure I agree.
 12. Refuting a fact
 Actually,
 As a matter of fact, …
 Well, I’m not sure that is true/correct
because…
 13. Dismissing an irrelevant point
 I’m afraid you’re missing the point.
 I don’t think that has anything do with the
goal of our discussion.
14. Making suggestions
Why don’t we/you…
How about…
I suggest that we/you…
15. Agreeing with a suggestion
Ok. That makes sense.
Of course.
Certainly

15.  16. Refusing a suggestion or request
 I’m sorry but that is out of the question
 Unfortunately that is not possible.
 17. Capitulation
 Mr. Kakashi has convinced me that my
opinion/suggestion/idea is not
useful/practical/necessary/good. Therefore,
I have changed my mind.
 OK. You have persuaded me to change my
mind. I can agree with you.
 18. Expressing similarities
 Those two points/suggestions are similar.
 Mr. Rock Lee’s idea is about the same as
Miss. Temari’s.
19. Interrupting
Excuse me for interrupting, but…
Sorry to interrupt, but…
20. Getting a point into the discussion
I have a point I’d like to make.
I’d like to add something here.
I’d like to say something about
your/her/his idea.

16.  21. Seeking clarification
 What do you mean?
 Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean.
 Do you mean that…?
 I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow.
 I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.
 22. Paraphrasing another person’s idea
 What Ms. Kurenai means is that…
 What (s)he is trying to say is that…
 23. Requesting
 Mr. Asuma, I wonder if you would mind.................,
please?
 Mr. Minato, do you think you could..............., please?
24. Making comparisons
Miss. Tsunade’s explanation is more/less............than
hers/his.
Your opinion/idea is.............-er than mine/hers.
25. Expressing Preference
I think the best/worst suggestion is …
His idea is the............-est (best, most reasonable
etc.)
Her proposal is the most/least…
One of the most practical items is..............., so
we/you should definitely take/use it.
26. Closing the Discussion
In conclusion, the purpose of this discussion…
The goal of our discussion is to…
We have concluded that…

18.  Indians are better worker than leader
 what should the neighboring countries do for the Syrian refugee
 Performance of India in Olympics
 It is impossible to love a person for 40 years
 Should alcohol be banned in India

19.  1. Globalization
2. Indian cricket
3. Quality of Indian industry
4. Advertisements
5. Women empowerment
6. Social equality
7. GLBT
8. Energy crisis

20.  Fixed timing vs. flexible timing at work place.
 Gov. sect vs. private sector.
 Foreign direct investment.
 Use of social media.
 Brain drain?
 Globalization?
 Reservation in private sector?
 Privatization of psus?
 Technology creates income disparity?
 Paid media effects elections?
 Corruption effects development?
 Me too movement?
 Should women be given greater Responsibility work force?

21. TOP-30-GD TOPICS
1.Russia-Ukraine war
2.Sri Lanka’s Economic crisis
3.High fuel prices
4.NATO
5.COVID-19
6.E-learning – Pros & Challenges
7.Post-Covid world
8.Metaverse
9.The Future of work
10.Atmanirbhar bharat in the Defence sector
11.Impact of COVID-19 on Global economy
12.Unicorn
13.Work from home – Pros & Cons
14.Biomedical waste crisis
15.Impact of 5G on Global economy
16.India’s COVID-19 vaccination program
17.Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT)
18.Raising the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years
– Pros & Cons
19.Should people invest in crypto currency?
20.The Great Resignation
21.The rise of the Gig economy
22.How to revive the Indian economy?
23.Impact of globalization on education
24.OTT vs. Theatre
25.Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
26.The importance of netiquette in the digital age
27.Social media influencers – Impact on youth
28.ABG shipyard scam – India’s biggest bank fraud
29.Bad bank – Is it a good idea?
30.Web 3.0