Group discussion

Group Discussion
Professor (Dr.) Trilok Kumar Jain,
Rishabh Dev College, Sunday Gurukul,
Knowledge Creators
Parakh Niwas, Sivakamu Veterinary
Hospital Road, Outside Gogagate,
Bikaner
Mobile : 9414430763
jain.tk@gmail.com

What is a GD?
• Formal discussion on an important matter for
decision making, information sharing and
collective planning.
• 10-12 persons sit together to exchange their
ideas, opinions and try to arrive at a common
decision / conclusion / agreement.
12/27/2015 GMCS in ICAI Bikaner

Why GD?
• To know about your adaptability, flexibility
• To know about your potential
• To know about your leadership quality
• To know about your ability to work in team
• To find a team-leader in you
• To assess your overall personality
• To select charismatic and extrovert person

How to score more in GD?
• Initiate - be the first to introduce the topic
• Lead - encourage and motivate others and
channelize the discussion.
• Organize – structure discussion and ensure
that the GD remains on the topic. Bring the
group back to topic if it deviates.
• Conclude – list down all important points to
create a conclusion which can be broad
enough

Warnings!! – don’t do these!!!
• Don’t speak too much
• Don’t intervene others unnecessarily
• Don’t use personal examples
• Don’t point to individuals
• Don’t argue unreasonably
• Don’t threaten, embarrass, or intimidate
• Don’t form cliques, narrow groups
• Don’t restrict others from speaking

How to initiate – example
• Dear friends, we have got a very good topic
for discussion. I would like to speak a lot on
this topic. But I am excited to know that all of
you seem to be equally willing to share your
thoughts. I would therefore request you to
share your thoughts one by one on this topic
so that we are able to identify common
points. Who will start - Who would like to
introduce the topic to the group?

How to lead…
• Considering very short time that we have, may
I request you all to be precise and just share
the main points that you wish to share in this
GD. Please do avoid detailed description in the
initial round of discussions. If time will permit,
we all can then speak in details.

How to argue?
• I appreciate your ideas and I do agree to some
of your points, but on one point, I have slightly
different perspective and I would like you to
enlighten me further on that matter. I think
that …..

How to conclude?
• Mr. X introduced the topics and identified four
elements key to the issue. Mr. Y clarified the
relations between the important variables of
the issue. We all have agreed to these points
based on thorough discussions : -
– A
– B
– C
– D

Communication
• Understand cross cultural communication
• Oral communication – clear voice, tone,
speech, language, slow pace
• Non-verbal communication – more important
than verbal communication
– Body language
– Sitting posture, proximity
– Smile and facial expressions

Areas of Nonverbal Communication
• Chronemics (time)
• Proxemics (space)
• Oculesics (gaze/eye contact)
• Olfactics (smell)
• Haptics (touch)
• Kinesics (body language)
• Chromatics (color)
• Silence
• Vocalics (voice)

Time (Chronemics)
• Attitudes toward time vary from culture to
culture.
• Countries that follow monochronic time
perform only one major activity at a time
(U.S., England, Switzerland, Germany).
• Countries that follow polychronic time work
on several activities simultaneously (Latin
America, the Mediterranean, the Arabs).

Monochronic/Polychronic Cultures
• do one thing at a time
• concentrate on the job
• take time commitments
seriously
• are committed to the job
• show respect for private
property; rarely borrow or lend
• are accustomed to short-term
relationships
• do many things at once
• are highly distractible
• consider time commitments
casually
• are committed to people
• borrow and lend things often
• tend to build lifetime
relationships
Monochronic People Polychronic People

Cultural Differences in
Attitudes Toward Time
• U.S. persons are very time conscious and value
punctuality. Being late for meetings is viewed as rude
and insensitive behavior; tardiness also conveys that
the person is not well organized.
• Germans and Swiss people are even more time
conscious; people of Singapore and Hong Kong also
value punctuality.
• In Algeria, on the other hand, punctuality is not widely
regarded. Latin American countries have a manana
attitude; people in Arab cultures have a casual attitude
toward time.

Space (Proxemics)
People in the U.S. tend to need
more space than do persons of other
cultures. U.S. persons back away
when people stand too close.
Standing too close is interpreted as
being pushy or overbearing;
standing too close may also be
interpreted as unwelcomed sexual
advances.

Space Zones in the U.S.
• The intimate zone (less than 18 inches) is
reserved for very close friends.
• The personal zone (18 inches to 4 feet) is for
giving instructions to others or working
closely with another person.
• The social zone (4 to 12 feet) is used in
business situations in which people interact
in a more formal, impersonal way.
• The public distance is over 12 feet.

U.S. people need more space than do
Greeks, Latin Americans, or Arabs.
The Japanese stand even farther away than do
U.S. persons.

Elevator Proxemics
A psychology professor at a southern university
gave his students an assignment to test elevator
proxemics. Students reported the usual U.S.
behaviors of facing the front and watching the
illuminated floor indicator, assuming the Fig Leaf
Position (hands/purses/ briefcases hanging down in
front of the body), and positioning themselves in
the corners or against the elevator walls. Then the
professor added another assignment: students
were to break the rules and get on the elevator,
stand at the front facing the other occupants and
jump backward off the elevator just before the door
closed. One of the elevator occupants was heard to
whisper, “Call 911; we’ve got a real weirdo here.”

The Office Environment and
Nonverbal Messages
• U.S. persons prefer desks and chairs in a face-
to-face arrangement or at right angles, while
the Chinese prefer the side-by-side
arrangement.
• In the U.S. outside offices with windows have
more status than inside offices; large offices
have more status than small ones; the top floor
has more status than the first floor.

• French top-level executives occupy the
middle of an office area with
subordinates around them.
• The Japanese do not consider private
offices appropriate; only the highest
ranking officers have private offices and
may have desks in large work areas as
well.

Gaze/Eye Contact (Oculesics)
Although people in the U.S. favor direct eye
contact, in other cultures, such as the Japanese,
the reverse is true; they direct their gaze below
the chin. In the Middle East, on the other hand,
the eye contact is more intense than U.S. people
are comfortable with.
A prolonged gaze or stare in the U.S. is
considered rude. In most cultures, men do not
stare at women as this may be interpreted as
sexually suggestive.

Smell (Olfactics)
• Although people of the U.S. respond
negatively to body odors, Arabs are
comfortable with natural body odors.
• Other cultures in which smell plays an
important role include the Japanese and
Samoans.

Touch (Haptics)
• Touch, when used properly, may create
feelings of warmth and trust; when used
improperly, touch may cause annoyance
and betray trust.
• Hierarchy is a consideration when using
touch in the U.S.: people who are older or
higher rank may touch those who are
younger or of lower rank; equals may touch
each other.

“Don't Touch” Cultures
• Japan
• U.S. and Canada
• England
• Scandinavia
• Other N. European countries

• Australia
• France
• China
• Ireland
• India
• Middle East
countries
Middle Ground Countries

“Touch” Cultures
• Latin American
countries
• Italy
• Greece
• Spain and Portugal
• Some Asian countries
• Russian Federation

Location of the Touch Is Important
• Appropriate touch in the U.S. is limited to
shaking hands in business situations - no
hugs or expressions of affection.
• In Thailand do not touch the head.
• Do not touch Asians on the shoulders or
even the back of the worker's chair.
• Avoid touching a person with the left hand
in the Middle East.

Several years ago, when President
Carter was mediating peace talks
between Egypt and Israel, Anwar Sadat
frequently placed his hand on President
Carter’s knee. While this subtextual
message was intended as a gesture of
warm friendship, the subtler message
Sadat was conveying to the world was
that he was President Carter’s equal.

Body Language (Kinesics)
• Body language includes facial expressions,
gestures, and posture and stance.
• To interpret facial expressions correctly, it is
important to take the communication context
and culture into account.
• People in some cultures rarely show emotion
(China); Asians will smile or laugh softly when
they are embarrassed.

Facial Expressions
• The face and eyes convey the most
expressive types of body language,
including happiness, surprise, fear, anger,
interest, and determination.
• Facial expressions must be controlled
when inappropriate to the setting
(yawning during a presentation).

Gestures
• Emblems or symbols ("V" for victory)
• Illustrators (police officer's hand held up to
stop traffic)
• Regulators (glancing at watch when in a hurry)
• Affect displays (a person's face turns red with
embarrassment)

General Guidelines
U.S. Gestures
• Interest is expressed by maintaining eye
contact with the speaker, smiling, and nodding
the head.
• Open-mindedness is expressed by open hands
and palms turned upward.
• Nervousness is sometimes shown by fidgeting,
failing to give the speaker eye contact, or
jingling keys or money in your pocket.

• Suspiciousness is indicated by glancing away or
touching your nose, eyes, or ears.
• Defensiveness is indicated by crossing your arms
over your chest, making fisted gestures, or crossing
your legs.
• Lack of interest or boredom is indicated by
glancing repeatedly at your watch or staring at the
ceiling or floor or out the window when the person
is speaking.

Additional Guidelines for Gesturing
in Various Cultures
• The “V” for victory gesture, holding two fingers
upright, with palm and fingers faced outward,
is widely used in the U.S. and many other
countries. In England, however, it is a crude
connotation when used with the palm in.

• Has a positive connotation associated with the
University of Texas Longhorn football team.
• This gesture has an insulting connotation in Italy
• In Brazil and Venezuela it is a sign for good luck
• In other cultures, such as Italy and Malta, the horns
are a symbol to ward off evil spirits
• This symbol has various meanings in U.S. subcultures
and should be used only when you are sure the other
person understands its intended meaning
The vertical horns gesture
(raised fist, index finger and
little finger extended)

• The thumbs-up gesture has been widely
recognized as a positive signal meaning
“everything is O.K.” or “good going.”
Although well known in North America and
most of Europe, in Australia and West Africa it
is seen as a rude gesture.
• The head nod in most countries means “yes,”
but in Bulgaria it means “no.”

Gesture
 Gestures should be observed in clusters to provide a more accurate
picture of person being observed.
 While the mouth tells one story, gestures and posture may tell a
different story.

A good way to show you
are approachable, especially
when combined with open
palms
Defences down
An open heart
Open Arms:
Palms Up – Open Hands:
When a person uses
open palms that
occasionally
touch their chest, they are
signalling honesty
Palms on chest
This conveys an open
and positive message
Outward, upward hand
movements
A defence mechanism
that shows the person
is not open to what is
being said or done
May mean rejection
Physically cold
 Stubborn in their
outlook
Folded arms:
A closed heart

Bored
Doodling
Anger and to be avoided
Physically cold
Very tense
Defiant or triumphant
when held in air
Fist
A sign of eagerness
Feet under the chair
Evaluating
Stroking chin
Wants to get away
Thinking about something else
Bored with situation /
conversation
Looking around
Indecision
Possible deception
Ear Tugging
Striding briskly:
An outward display of
confidence
Anger
Bored
Tired and that may have
nothing to do with the
Situatio n/conversation
Yawning

This is evidence of two people getting on really
well.
Each person copies the other’s body language,
usually subtly.
Mirroring
Mirroring occurs with:
•Breathing, Gestures, Eye movement, Leaning towards each other at
the same time, Crossed or uncrossed legs
Speech pattern, Arm movement, or no arm movement, Emotive
energy such as being excited, relaxed, etc.
This shows someone knows they are attractive For eg,
flicking or stroking their hair or adjusting a collar and/or
a tie.
Preening
The occasional nod from a listener to a speaker is a
positive message. It is an indication they are listening and
are interested.
Nodding
Too much nodding indicates the listener has lost interest and
may be bored.

Body space
Respect for the other person’s body space is crucial in
gaining their trust. Stay at least one arm’s length away
from them.
Vigorous leg shaking
Reveals apprehension and nerves
Desperate to go to the toilet
Raise of eyebrows - express astonishment
Envy or disbelief may be displayed by a
raised eyebrow
We frown – displeasure or confusion
Open our mouth - Shock12/27/2015 GMCS in ICAI Bikaner

Common gesture clusters:-
 OPENNESS:
 Open hands,
 unbuttoned coal or collar,
 leaning slightly forward in the chair,
 removing coat or jacket,
 uncrossing arms and legs,
 moving closer.

• Ways of Looking:
 Side long glance is referred to as stolen
look.
 Blank stare depicts boredom.
 Sparkling eyes are an attribute of those
who have ‘magnetic personalities’.
• Glasses:
 Peering over glass depicts being
judgmental or critical.
 Dark glasses are worn by those who
conceal their genuine feelings.

THE HANDS • The Human hand is a
restless organ
 Limp hands show
boredom.
 Nervous or jittery
person shows restless
hands.
 Clenched hands often
shows frustration.
 Clapping of hands
shows applause.

• When the arms are crossed they form a
‘barrier’ to an impending threat.
• Arms folded with finger tucked in armpits &
thumbs sticking out: this is when subordinate
faces his superior whom he considers equal.
• Arms behind the back is resorted by those who
is experiencing an inner conflict.
• Neck stroking signals suspicion.

 DEFENSIVENESS:
 People who are defensive usually have
 a rigid body,
 arms or legs tightly crossed,
 eyes glancing sideways or darting occasionally minimal eye
contact,
 lips pursed, fists clenched and downcast head .

 EVALUATION:
Evaluation gestures say that the other person is being
thoughtful or is considering what you are saying. Sometimes in a
friendly way sometimes in an unfriendly way.
Typical evaluation gestures include :
 tilted head,
 hand to cheek,
 leaning forward and
 chin stroking .
SELF LEARNING MODULE 1 CHAPTER 10

Sometimes evaluation gestures take on a critical aspect.
 The body is more drawn back .
 The hand is to the face but the chin is in the palm of the hand with
one finger going up the cheek and the other fingers positioned
below the mouth.
 This is generally an unfavourable gesture.

 READINESS:
 Is related to the goal-oriented high achiever with a concern for
getting things done.
 It communicates dedication to a goal and is usually communicated
by sitting forward at the edge of a chair.
 This may negatively give the appearance of being overly anxious
also.

 NERVOUSNESS:
 Clearing one’s throat,
 Chain smoking.
 Covering the mouth with hand,
 Tapping fingers .
 Whistling,
 Jingling pocket change ,
 Fidgeting ,
 Twitching lips or face .

 BOREDOM OR IMPATIENCE:
These unproductive feelings are usually conveyed by the
 Drumming of fingers
 Cupping the head in the palm of the hand,
 Foot swinging
 Brushing or picking a lint
 Looking at your watch or the exit.

 ENTHUSIASM:
This is an emotion that you love to see in other people and they in you.
It is conveyed by
 A small upper or inward smile ,
 Hands open and arms extended outward ,
 Eyes wide an alert ,
 A lively and bouncy walk ,
 A lively and well-modulated voice.

Body movement
 Balance movements with verbal cues.
 Avoid random movements.
 Step forward to indicate you are arriving at a point.
 Step back when concluding a point and signals the audience they
can relax momentarily.
 Always lead with your foot nearest your destination .

Facial expressions
 Facial expressions reflect emotion, feelings and attitudes.
 The face is one of the most reliable indicators of a person’s
attitudes, emotions & feelings.
 By analysing facial expressions, interpersonal attitudes can be
discerned and feedback obtained.
 Some people try to hide their true emotions. The term Poker Face
describes them

 Your face is watched whenever you speak.
 Often the key determinant of the meaning behind a message.
 Communicates your attitudes, feelings, and emotions more so than
any other part of your body.

Eye contact
 To make people feel good and show your interest you must
maintain eye contact.
 The easiest way to maintain eye contact naturally is to look at the
persons whole face above the tip of their nose

 People avoid eye contact with other person when an uncomfortable
question asked.
 Try to reduce tension and build trust rather than increase tension.
The raising of one eyebrow shows disbelief and two shows surprise.
 People are classified as right lookers and left lookers. Right lookers
are more influenced by logic and precision, left lookers are found to
be more emotional, subjective and suggestible.
Teamglobal©Kautilya Learning Academy of Professionals12/27/2015 GMCS in ICAI Bikaner

Handgestures
 Tightly clenched hands usually indicate that the person is
experiencing undue pressure. It may be difficult to relate to this
person because of his tension and disagreement.
 Superiority and authority are usually indicated when you are
standing and joining your hands behind your back .

 Rubbing gently behind or beside the ear with the index finger or
rubbing the eye usually means the other person is uncertain about
what you are saying.
 Leaning back with both hands supporting the head usually indicates
a feeling of confidence or superiority.

 Cupping one or both hands over the mouth , especially when
talking, may well indicate that the person is trying to hide
something.
 Putting your hand to your cheek or stroking your chin generally
portrays thinking, interest or consideration.

 Crossed arms tend to signal defensiveness. They seemingly act as a
protective guard against an anticipated attack or a fixed position
which the other person would rather not move.
 Conversely, arms open and extended toward you generally indicate
openness and acceptance.
SELF LEARNING MODULE 1
Arms & legs posture:
CHAPTER 10

 People who tightly cross their legs seem to be saying that they
disagree with what you are saying or doing. If the people have
tightly crossed legs and tightly crossed arms, their inner attitude is
usually one of extreme negativity toward what is going on around
them. It may be difficult to get agreement.

 Sitting with your legs crossed and elevated foot moving in a slight circular motion indicates boredom or impatience.
 Interest and involvement are usually projected by sitting on the edge of the chair and leaning slightly forward.
Posture:

Kabir Says
• ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोय |
• औरन को शीति करे, आपहु शीति होय ||
• Speak in words so sweet, that fill the heart
with joy
• Like a cool breeze in summer, for others and
self to enjoy

Kabir says…
• कागा काको धन हरे, कोयल काको देत..
• मीठे शब्द सुनायके , जग अपनों कर लेत.
• It is by one’s communication, nature and habit
(NOT COLOR or something) that you should
make others your friends

A popular song ….
• इक दिन बबक जायेगा माटी के मोि जग में
रह जायेंगे, प्यारे तेरे बोि

How to convert group into team ..
• Proper motivation, communication & support
• Clarity of goal, direction and purpose
• Focus on the topic, issues and details
• Accepting divergence of ideas & expertise
• Respecting diversity and differences
• Consensus based decision making
• Giving enough space, freedom and trust

Building the right belief system
• When people believe in each other, when
they believe that each team member will bring
superior skills to a task or responsibility, that
disagreements or opposing views will be worked
out reasonably, that each member’s view will be
treated seriously and with respect, that all team
members will give their best effort at all times,
and that every one will have the team’s overall
best interest at heart, then excellence can
become a sustainable reality.

Focusing on Team Basics
Performance Results
Mutual
Small number
of people
Individual
Problem
Solving
Technical/
function
Interpersonal
Specific goals
Common approach
Meaningful purpose
CommitmentCollective work
Products
Personal Growth

Group discussion

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Group discussion

Similar to Group discussion (20)

More from Dr. Trilok Kumar Jain

More from Dr. Trilok Kumar Jain (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Group discussion