Do's & Don'ts of Group Discussion

Group Discussion (GD), following a written test, is an important part of the final selection process for admission in professional courses, especially management programmes. Clearly, a winning performance at this stage is critical to your making the final cut.
GDs are based on a variety of topics ranging from economics to business to current affairs etc, so it’s important to keep yourself updated by developing a habit of reading newspapers and magazines. A good level of general knowledge will give you the confidence to talk on any topic and improve your articulation.
Now, given that you have the subject knowledge, and possess good communication skill, how do you make yourself heard in a competitive situation where everyone is vying for the same space?
We know that on the list of GD etiquettes, the need to maintain a polite tone ranks high, even as you proceed to oppose a point raised by another team member. But how do you do that when your GD could turn into a fish market scene? Don’t be caught off guard, because that’s where your leadership skill, team spirit, critical thinking ability and your group behaviour will be tested by way of how you manage to perform even amid a chaotic environment.
Shiksha café experts highlight important points on the Do's & Don’ts of a Group Discussion:
1) Dress formally: Dressing helps make the first impression and determines one’s personality – so do not take it casually. Dress in smart formals. It will add to your confidence and keep you comfortable while speaking in a group. Positive gestures and body language will make your work easier.
2) Don’t rush into it: Initiating the GD is a big plus. But it works in your favour only when you understand the GD topic clearly. If you are not sure, take your time to start and take a cue from what others have to say. It will help you appear more measured when you speak and bring out your analytical skills.
3) Keep eye contact while speaking: Stay relaxed and keep eye contact with every team member while speaking. Do not look at the evaluators only.
4) Allow others to speak: Do not interrupt others. Even if you don’t agree with their thoughts do not snatch their chance to speak. Instead make a mental note and state your points when it’s your turn. This will show that you are not desperate to blow your own trumpet and are mindful of other people’s opinion.
5) Don’t be aggressive: Speak politely and clearly. Use simple language to convey your thoughts without being irritable. Don’t be aggressive even if you need to disagree with someone. Express your feelings calmly and politely.
6) Maintain positive attitude: GD is a team activity. Be confident but do not try to dominate anyone. Remember it’s a discussion and not a debate, so express your feelings calmly and politely. Ensure a positive body language. Show interest in the discussion when others express their thoughts. This will make you appear as someone who is a team player.
7) Speak sensibly: Do not speak just to increase your speaking time. Don’t worry even if you speak less but do not try to beat around the bush. Your thoughts should be sensible and relevant. Wasting the group’s time with your irrelevant speech or speaking without proper subject knowledge will only create a poor impression.
8) Listen carefully to others: Being a good listener is an important skill. Pay attention when others speak. This will encourage coherent discussion and you will get involved in the group positively. That way, others are also more likely to be receptive to your points.
9) Avoid time-consuming details: A basic subject analysis is sufficient. There’s no need to mention exact figures and statistics while making a reference. You have limited time in a GD, so be precise and convey your thoughts in a smart and crisp manner.
10) Keep the discussion on track: If you find the group is digressing from the topic or goal then simply take the initiative to bring the discussion back on track. Uphold and emphasize the group’s common objective to stick to the topic to arrive at some conclusion at the end of the discussion. This will exhibit your leadership skills.