Tips to Crack Group Discussions

For becoming a good team leader tomorrow, you have to be a good team member today.

   What is a Group Discussion?
 As the term
itself suggests, a Group Discussion is a discussion. But more students
misunderstand to be a debate and that is precisely where they falter.
Students think they have to score points over others as in wrestling
match, thus it end up being a fish market. Thus, the objective of the
Group discussion stage is to appraise an individual’s ability to analyze critically a given topic and collectively work in a group to
arrive at a solution or develop a perspective. 
 What does the moderator look for in a Group Discussion?
 The traits imperative for a prospective manager are:
 Clarity of Thought:
 Clear
and precise thinking will help you arrange your thoughts systematically
and will be appreciated not only by the moderator but also by fellow
participant.
 Listening Skills:
 It is a
widespread misconception that the person speaking the most wins the
race. One cardinal rule to keep in mind is that performance of the
group as a whole is important and thus being receptive to other’s ideas
is critical.
 Critical Analysis:
 In the
initial 2-3 minutes of the Group Discussion, judge the chief concern of
the topic given and align your recommendations to it.
 Communication Skills:
 It’s
desirable to have a manager who knows what he’s talking about and
doesn’t swayed by what others think. It’s important to have a clear
thought process and should be able to communicate effectively.
 Ability to synchronise with a group:
 Team
building skills are another much-desired trait in a manager. There are
cases of high potential successful individuals becoming failures
because of their inability to work in teams. For becoming a good team leader tomorrow, you have to be a good team member today. 
 Factual knowledge:
 It’s
not important how many times you speak, but how well you speak in a
Group Discussion. Therefore, content is the key. It is not important to
quote figures but your general reading of common issues will help you
be more comfortable. Even if you are not aware of the topic, listen to
others for few minutes and try to refine your own points by using other
participant’s input on the subject.

       Important Tips to succeed in Group Discussions:
  Some Do’s:
 1.  Try to initiate a discussion
 2.  Start with explaining the meaning of the topic and it’s background
 3.  Try to summarise- shows leadership quality and responsibility
 4.  Illustrate your points with relevant examples if, possible
 5.  Maintain eye contact and hand movements, but also don’t stare at the participant and talk
 6.  Use voice modulation
 7. Involve others also in the group discussions
 8.  Speak in short sentences
 9.  Be attentive and show that you are interested when others are speaks
 10.  Be aware of your posture and attitude- sit straight and don’t hold your hands
 11.If, said something wrong accept your mistake
 12.Maintain a friendly poster – nor very stiff neither relaxed
 13.Keep a track of the time
 14.Evaluate both the pros and cons of the given subject

  Some Don’ts:
 1.  Do Not shout to force your points on others
 2.  Do Not use exaggerated hand/body movements to make up for lack of words
 3.  Do Not overdress – Wear comfortable formal
 4.  Do Not use slang
  In
the end, always keep in mind that for the next 20 minutes, get
completely involved in your Group Discussion. Genuinely try to discuss
the issue and arrive at a consensus. Even if the group fails as a
whole, or the solution is a disaster, your effort will never go
unnoticed.

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abubakkar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Dec 2009 Location: North Carolina Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote abubakkar Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Tips to Crack Group Discussions Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 9:12pm
	What is a Group Discussion? As the term itself suggests, a Group Discussion is a discussion. But more students misunderstand to be a debate and that is precisely where they falter. Students think they have to score points over others as in wrestling match, thus it end up being a fish market. Thus, the objective of the Group discussion stage is to appraise an individual’s ability to analyze critically a given topic and collectively work in a group to arrive at a solution or develop a perspective. What does the moderator look for in a Group Discussion? The traits imperative for a prospective manager are: Clarity of Thought: Clear and precise thinking will help you arrange your thoughts systematically and will be appreciated not only by the moderator but also by fellow participant. Listening Skills: It is a widespread misconception that the person speaking the most wins the race. One cardinal rule to keep in mind is that performance of the group as a whole is important and thus being receptive to other’s ideas is critical. Critical Analysis: In the initial 2-3 minutes of the Group Discussion, judge the chief concern of the topic given and align your recommendations to it. Communication Skills: It’s desirable to have a manager who knows what he’s talking about and doesn’t swayed by what others think. It’s important to have a clear thought process and should be able to communicate effectively. Ability to synchronise with a group: Team building skills are another much-desired trait in a manager. There are cases of high potential successful individuals becoming failures because of their inability to work in teams. For becoming a good team leader tomorrow, you have to be a good team member today. Factual knowledge: It’s not important how many times you speak, but how well you speak in a Group Discussion. Therefore, content is the key. It is not important to quote figures but your general reading of common issues will help you be more comfortable. Even if you are not aware of the topic, listen to others for few minutes and try to refine your own points by using other participant’s input on the subject. Important Tips to succeed in Group Discussions: Some Do’s: 1. Try to initiate a discussion 2. Start with explaining the meaning of the topic and it’s background 3. Try to summarise- shows leadership quality and responsibility 4. Illustrate your points with relevant examples if, possible 5. Maintain eye contact and hand movements, but also don’t stare at the participant and talk 6. Use voice modulation 7. Involve others also in the group discussions 8. Speak in short sentences 9. Be attentive and show that you are interested when others are speaks 10. Be aware of your posture and attitude- sit straight and don’t hold your hands 11.If, said something wrong accept your mistake 12.Maintain a friendly poster – nor very stiff neither relaxed 13.Keep a track of the time 14.Evaluate both the pros and cons of the given subject Some Don’ts: 1. Do Not shout to force your points on others 2. Do Not use exaggerated hand/body movements to make up for lack of words 3. Do Not overdress – Wear comfortable formal 4. Do Not use slang In the end, always keep in mind that for the next 20 minutes, get completely involved in your Group Discussion. Genuinely try to discuss the issue and arrive at a consensus. Even if the group fails as a whole, or the solution is a disaster, your effort will never go unnoticed.
	Live like eagle. Keep touching the sky ....

opokhan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote opokhan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 9:22pm
	It is attitude which helps a candidate to clear an interview and get a job. The right platform to display it is the Group Discussion round. Many people get eliminated in this round due to lack of proper knowledge and preparation. Companies conduct group discussions to test the candidate's willingness to be a part of the team, his behavior, his ability in decision making, his listening capacity, his body language, and if or not he is open to accepting others' views. Following are few protocols you need to keep in mind when taking part in a group discussion: • Always try to be the initiator of a discussion as it would place you in the eyes of the employer instantly. Initiate a discussion only if you have sound knowledge about the topic. • Maintain eye contact with every member of the group and try to seek attention from everyone by making valid points about the topic. Don't stare at any one person for more than 3 or 4 seconds. • Don't use jargon and words of high frequency. Keep your speech simple and understandable. Make your points in a calm and polite manner. • Don't interfere others when they are voicing their views. If you have a point to make for or against somebody's comments, wait till they have completed their speech. • Always take permission before making or adding a point. E.g.: "Please let me make a point" or "I have a point to make". • If you feel that the point made by someone is wrong, then don't say that he is wrong. Instead, mention politely that you don't agree with his view. • Always carry a pen and a notepad with you while participating in a group discussion. Make a note of the important points mentioned in the discussion. This will help you in making your points if you are not aware of the topic properly. • Always keep track of where the discussion is heading. If the discussion is going off-track then be the first person to bring it back to the topic. This will definitely help you gain attention, especially if you are not the initiator. • Never try to dominate other speakers in a discussion and always maintain a positive body language. Do not show belligerence. • Keep an eye on your watch and when the discussion exceeds the allotted time, be the first person to conclude the discussion. Don't give your own conclusion but rather include various points made by others and combine them all with your own conclusion. Keep in mind that your conclusion shouldn't be controversial in nature.
	Destination nowhere......