Learning Outcomes:

The Module will help the participant to understand:

1. What are Group discussions?

2. Purpose of Group discussions.
3. Different types of GD’s.
4. Evaluation of Candidates Qualities in Group discussion.
5. Success mantra’s for excelling in GD’s
6. Strategies to improve
7. Do’s and Don’ts of GD’s
8. The Most trending and most Common Group Discussion topics.

This is an elimination round in the selection process of many companies and good
practice in Group Discussions will brighten the chances of many students. Hence this an
important concept for the students to understand and have their fundamentals in place.
 GROUP DISCUSSION

What is Group discussion?

 Group discussions are one of the most important tools of selection process of a
candidate
 A modern method of assessing students personality
 Group Discussion is more a technique than a conventional test. In fact it is one of
the most important and popular techniques being used in a number of personality
tests
 A method used for screening candidates as well as testing their potential.

Key points to remember:

 Preparation:
1. Make sure you and the other trainers are well versed with the content and
flow of the session.
2. Decide on the length of each session.
3. Do a hypothetical run and estimate the time required.
4. Create a cover page for participant handout packet. Include:
a. Name of your program, the training event, and facilitator
b. Estimate of session duration. Make sure to include breaks!

 Room Arrangement:
1. Reserve an appropriate hall or room in the campus
2. Have a semi-circular arrangement of chairs for the mock GD exercises at
the end
3. Casual arrangement is always best for the sessions.
4. Have markers.

 Once you have brought everyone into the room:

1. Introduce the trainers, tell them about the role.
2. Provide an outline review of the session.
3. Make special notes if you face any difficulties with the schedules
4. Let the participants know that it is a fun interactive session.

 Ground Rules:
1. Set Ground Rules and Expectations for the session. Write items on a
flipchart and leave it posted during the program. Make sure to remind
participants that once they set ground rules, it becomes their
responsibility to stick to them.
2. Examples of Ground rules: everyone needs to participate, no side line
conversations etc.

 Why Group Discussion?

GDs help companies and institutes assess qualities and capabilities such as:
o Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead,
inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's
objectives.
 o Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of
thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is listening.
It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.
o Interpersonal Skills - They are reflected in the ability to interact with other
members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance
promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more
people centric and less self-centred.
o Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyse and persuade others to see the
problem from multiple perspectives.

GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to
make your point in a team-based environment

 Additionally It also helps participants in:

o Clarity of thought – In a scenario with time pressure, how does the

candidate formulate and structure his thoughts on a topic he/she might
not be familiar with
o Conflict handling – How does the candidate deal with conflicting opinions
and situations of conflict among team members during a discussion which
will be representative of the corporate world
o Knowledge about the subject and individual point of view – How
well read is the candidate and does he/she have points of his/her own
view which is very critical
o Ability to create a consensus – Does the member take the initiative and
lead different members with different points of view towards a consensus
o Openness and flexibility towards new ideas – Is there rigidity for any
reason or is the member open to new ideas and concepts
o Data based approach to decision making – Is the decision making
instinctive or is there a method to it all?

 Types of Group Discussions:

a. Factual topics: These are based on the broad perspectives, the set standards
or facts such topics have both pros and cons. These can be inclined culturally,
regionally, or be based on the past history of events.
Some examples are as follows:
1. Corruption and politics go hand in hand.
2. Passive smoking is as good as smoking.
3. Cash in blood line of small business

b. Controversial / Argumentative Topics: These can be generic or specific

topics which involve arguments and controversies around them. Controversies
can be related to gender, set cultural mind-set or inclination. The idea behind
giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate displays by
keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of
view without getting personal and emotional.
Some examples are here as follows:
1. Should Indian Railways be privatized for better quality and efficiency?
2. Is an MBA necessary to succeed?
3. Women make better managers
 c. Abstract Topics: Abstract topics are about intangible things. These topics are
not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out. These
topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.
Some such topics can be as simple as the following:
1. Red/White/Blue.
2. When the clock strikes thirteen.
3. The sun rises in the east.
4. Man is the father of the child.
5. All the world is a stage.
6. If I were a CEO.
7. Comparison is no good.
8. Ratios are relative.
9. Borderless world.

Case based Topics: The team will be given a simple case, based on which
you will have to discuss the topics. It can be based on current affairs, industry
based, organization related.

 Evaluation of Candidates qualities in a group discussion:

1. Leadership skills: Ability to take leadership roles and ability to lead, inspire
and carry the team along to help them achieve group's objectives.
Example: To be able to initiate the group discussion, or to be able to guide
the group especially when the discussion begins losing relevance or try to
encourage all members to participate in the discussion.

2. Communication skills: The participating candidates will be assessed in

terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key
aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.
Example: To be able to use simple language and explain concepts clearly so
that it is easily understood by all. You actually get negative marks for using
esoteric jargons in an attempt to show-off your knowledge.

3. Interpersonal skills: It is reflected in the ability of the individual to interact

with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and
balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to be
more people centric and less self-centred.
Example: To remain cool even when someone provokes you by with personal
comment, ability to remain objective, ability to empathize, non-threatening
and more of a team player.

4. Persuasive skills: Ability to analyse and persuade others to see the problem
from multiple perspectives without hurting the group members.
Example: While appreciating someone else's point of view, you should be able
to effectively communicate your view without overtly hurting the other
person.

5. Problem solving skills: Ability to come out with divergent and offbeat
solutions and use one's own creativity.
 Example: While thinking of solutions, don't be afraid to think of novel
solutions. This is a high- risk high-return strategy.

6. Conceptualizing skills: The ability to grasp the situation, take it from the
day to day problem level and apply it to a macro level.
Example: At the end of the discussion, you could probably summarize the
findings in a few sentences that present the overall perspective. Don't be
disheartened if you don't make it after your first group discussion. The best
possible preparation for a group discussion is to learn from one's past
mistakes.

7. Attitude: Attitude is another important parameter of most othe Group

Discussion. Candidates are expected to:
-have positive attitude,
-encourage others for participation,
-not to put someone down during the discussion
-be good listeners when others are speaking
-accepting other viewpoints (if it’s a valid one)
-not showing stubbornness and harshness
-should speak maturely
-should not raise voice unnecessarily

8. Team Player: Corporate world is all about working as a team, if the team
succeeds everyone in the team succeeds; similarly a failure of team is failure
of each members of the team. Candidates participating in GD are also
evaluated for their ability to work in a team.
Example:
-Be polite and cordial in your communication.
-Accept others viewpoint and encourage each member to put forward their
points.
-Don't lose your cool if someone counter argues the points which you had
raised and accept ideas politely.
-Avoid any arguments.
-Help the group to achieve its goal on time at the same time fostering
participation from each member

9. General Awareness: The topics given in Group Discussion are mostly of

current affairs; at times any abstract topic is given. If the topic is from current
affairs it is expected of the candidate to be aware of the happenings around
the world. The idea a candidate put forwards clearly demonstrated his
maturity and interests in the current affairs impacting the society, nation or
the world.
 A Sample Evaluation Form

Name of the candidate:

Course:
Date:

PARTICULARS Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Excellent

Leadership skills

Communication
skills
Inter-personal
skills
Persuasive skills

Problem solving
skills
Conceptualizing
skills
Attitude

Team Player

General
Awareness

Overall performance and comments:

Candidate evaluation: Pass: Fail:

SUCCESS MANTRA’S FOR EXCELLING IN GD’S:

Group Discussion (GD) is a simulation exercise use to gauge whether the candidate has certain
personality traits and/or desired skill levels, Here are the some tips to get success in a GDs
which are mentioned below:

1. Make Yourself Get Noticed: Mostly, the GDs are leaderless in nature. They’re
deliberately designed in such a manner to bring out the dominating personal
traits from the candidates in an unstructured group. Hence, the prior most
consideration for you should be to determine your objective in the group and
contribute in a meaningful way; such that you’re adequately recognized by
the evaluator in an attempt to build the right consensus within the group.

2. Be the First Speaker on the Topic: Your role and contribution in a GD will send a
clear message to the panellist as to whether you are a ‘Leader’ or ‘Follower’
by nature. Leaders should lead from the front and set a benchmark for the
followers to replicate. People with positivity and thorough frame of mind will
not hesitate to be an opening speaker in a GD; at a time when other members
are still trying to understand the basic issues in the topic, or are too nervous
to speak first up.

3. Engage in Meaningful Discussion: Speaking irrelevant on the podium won’t win

you brownie points. The more you talk, the more likely you’re to get through
the GD – is a mythical belief. It is the quality of the content that counts in the
final analysis. In fact, by consuming longer airtime without any relevant
discussion and valid points could cost you a negative remark.

4. Controlling Emotions – the ‘Hidden Dynamic: GDs are used as a selection tool
because they provide lots of information about the candidate’s personality,
including behavioural skills and your body language. The person so speaking
should not be interrupted during his opportunity to speak. You should listen
respectfully to the other, even if you disagree with the perspective so
narrated. It is often said that aggressiveness is negative while assertiveness is
positive.

5. Building a Consensus: The aspect involved is building the group’s consensus

around your perspective of thinking, personal traits and arguments on the
topic. It determines how well you jelled along with the group participants and
whether you were able to do justice to your role from the perspective of
group’s objective and ultimate goal.

6. Capability to coordinate and lead: As corporate professionals work in

teams, the evaluators are also interested in knowing if the candidate is a team
player as well.

a. Make the class give suggestions on how participants can showcase the
ability to co-ordinate and lead in a GD.
 b. Highlight situations where this is keenly observed – Beginning of the GD,
when the group has reached an impasse, when there is total chaos, when
the group runs out of points etc.

c. Helps the moderator understand whether the person thinks of

himself/herself as a star who should be respected or works hard to gel
with the team

d. Different egos need to be managed without the person demonstrating ego

of his/her own which is difficult in the heated environment

e. When a superior point is made or an error is pointed out, is the person

graceful enough to acknowledge

f. Does the person take the risk inherent in taking the lead?

7. Being Assertive : Highlight that participants have to be assertive during a

GD and specify the difference between being submissive, dominant and
assertive and ask the class to give instances where people demonstrate it

a. Submissive – Listening to the direction others give even though one

might have a better direction, being interrupted always etc.
b. Dominant – Bulldozing your way at every given opportunity, refuting
and putting down others etc.
c. Assertive – Supporting the team members when needed, being open
minded, sticking to your ground when needed, ceding ground when
required

8. Exchange of thoughts: Exchange of thoughts plays a vital role in success of

clearing a group discussion
Make participants give instances where the following qualities are
demonstrated

a. Listening – Able to remember figures and who said what, refer to

points made earlier in the discussion
b. Articulation – Are your points understood by the group and do you
use appropriate time to make those points
c. Contribution – The quality of your points and the direction you
provide to the group
d. Comprehension – How well you understand what the group has said
e. Rapport – How well does the group gel with you and how well do you
gel with the group
f. Patience and accommodation – Are you accommodative of
someone with less skill than you have?
g. Eye contact ,body language are also one of the key points to be
considered
 9. Addressing the group as a whole:

a. In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone by name.

b. The language used should also be formal, not the language used in normal
conversations. For instance, words and phrases like "yar", "chalta hai",
"CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use high
sounding, pedantic language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and
simple language. Hinglish, (mixture of Hindi and English) should be
discarded.
c. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than
necessary. Do not be superfluous. Try to be specific. Do not exaggerate.

 Strategies to improve

 Observation: Observation is the first important key for a candidate to improvise

on his/her group discussion skills. It makes a candidate analyse :
a. How do they ask questions?
b. How do other students make critical comments?
c. What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are
voicing disagreement?

 Practice: The second key is to practice. A candidate can practicing his/her

discussion skills in an informal setting or with a small group. Start with asking
questions of fellow students. Ask them about the course material. Ask for their
opinions. Ask for information or ask for help.

 Participate: Take every opportunity to take part in social/informal discussions as

well as more structured/formal discussion. Start by making small contributions to
tutorial discussions; prepare a question to ask, or agree with another speaker's
remarks.

 Leading a Discussion

a. Introducing yourself and the members of the group

b. Stating the purpose of the discussion
c. Inviting quiet group members to speak
d. Being objective
e. Summarizing the discussion

News Paper Method:

The news paper method is one of the most effective methods to prepare
for any GD topic, even when the participant has least knowledge.
The usage is as follows:
1) Firstly, write the name of the given topic in the centre of the page and
circle it.
2) Draw lines all around the circle making it a sun
3) Each line consists of 1 column that we come across in the newspaper
Eg: Politics, Sports etc
4) Now start relating the topic with each of the points written.
5) The participant will easily get 7-8 points on the topic.
 The Do’s and Don’ts of Group discussions:

 The Do’s:
1. Being Natural: Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are
not. Be yourself.
2. Voice modulation: Be loud and clear. Group Discussions is your chance to be
more vocal.
3. Organise your Thoughts: Think of what you are going to say. Take time to
organize your thoughts.
4. Positive body language: The body language says a lot about you .The
gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect the attitude than what
candidates say.
5. Being assertive and not dominating: Be assertive not dominating; try to
maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
6. Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points
across clearly and fluently.
7. Always be polite: Be polite. Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: `I
strongly object' or `I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: `I would like to share
my views on' or `one difference between your points and mine' or "I beg to differ
with you"

 The Don’ts:
1. Losing temper – Many students think it is a sign of aggression and sales and
marketing roles (similar roles) will want aggressive people. Aggression should be
in diligence, not in words during a GD
2. Shouting to prove or make your point heard makes you stick out like a sore
thumb. It shows that the group does not find merit in your views and you find
shouting as the only way to force it on them
3. Using too many gestures disturbs the people sitting next to you along with
throwing the group off-guard
4. Do not point or make a person/group of people the target of your points. This
is the equivalent of scratching your name in the minds of the evaluator.
5. Sitting Numb: A candidate should not sit idle in a Group discussion.
 Trending and most popular group discussion topics

 Is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector good for India?

 How to Deal with High Oil Prices?
 Multinational Corporations: Are they Devils in Disguise?
 Are Indians Less Quality Conscious?
 Ethics in Business are just a Passing Fad
 Is the Consumer really the King in India?
 Commercialization of Health Care: Good or Bad?
 Is there any Point in having a Business Strategy when the World changes from
Month to Month?
 Is the Patents Bill Good for India?
 Is the Business of Business only Business?
 Public Sector being a Guarantor of Job Security is a Myth
 Capitalism is a very Flawed System but the others are so much worse
 How can a Business get rid of the Bad Name that it has earned?
 Government Pumping Money into the Economy is not the Solution for our
Economic Problems
 Is the Budgeting Exercise of any Use?
 Should Agricultural Subsidies be stopped?
 Are MNCs Superior to Indian Companies?
 Advertising is a Waste of Resources
 Privatization will lead to Less Corruption
 Should India break Diplomatic Ties with Pakistan?
 Use of Force by Banks to Recover Loans
 Skilled Manpower Shortage in India
 Technology Creates Income Disparities
 In our economic matters, there is an excessive tendency towards the thinking
rather than doing.
 Every cloud has a silver lining
 Is disinvestment really that good for India or is a rethink in order?
 Are co-operatives relevant in today's globalised environment?
 Foreign aid is a dangerous drug that can stimulate in small doses but become
fatally addictive in larger doses.
 Government should clean its own hands before pointing finger at the private
sector for corruption.
 Reforms have to grow up.
 Globalization vs. Nationalism
 Economic freedom not old fashioned theories of development will lead to growth
and prosperity
 Should businessmen run the finance ministry?
 Should important services like transport be left to market forces?
 Who says MNCs are superior to Indian companies?
 Trade can help the poor?
 Water resources should be nationalised
 Indian villages - our strength or our weakness?
 Space Missions are a Wastage of Resources for a Resource-Starved Nation like
India
 Private Participation in Infrastructure is Highly Desirable
 Developing Countries need Trade, not Aid
 Poverty in Third World Countries is due to Prosperity in First World Countries
 Indian Economy: Old Wine in New Bottle!
 Is Globalization Really Necessary?
 What shall we do about our Ever-Increasing Population?
 Banning of Trade Unions will be Beneficial in Growth of the Economy
 Why can't India be a World-Class Player in Manufacturing Industry as it is in IT &
BPO Sectors?
 We Need Drinking Water and Not Coke & Pepsi in Rural India
 Rise of Regional Blocs Threatens Independent Nations like India
 Is China a threat to the Indian software industry?
 Role of UN in peacekeeping.
 Position of Women in India compared to other nations.
 Environment Management.
 Is China better than India in software?
 Govt contribution to IT
 India or West, which is the land of opportunities?
 Water resources should be nationalised
 Work Life balance
 Effect of cinema on Youth
 Education in India compared to Foreign nations
 Are studies more beneficial in India or Abroad?
 Environment - Whose Responsibility?
 About Hockey being the primary game in India.
 Present state of Indian Cricket team
 Advantages of Co-education.
 How to deal with international terrorism.
 Should we pursue our policy of dialogue with Pakistan?
 Are peace and non-violence outdated concepts?
 A unipolar World spells disaster for underdeveloped countries like India.
 What shall we do about our ever-increasing Population?
 Corruption is the price we pay for Democracy.
 Foreign Television Channels are destroying our culture.
 What India needs is a Dictatorship.
 Beauty contests degrade womanhood
 Six billion and few medals
 Is dependence on computers a good thing?
 China and India are similar nations with contrasting ways
 Is India a Soft Nation?
 Religion should not be mixed with politics
 How to deal with high oil prices
 Should there be private universities?
 Does banning fashion shows and New Year parties save our culture?
 Public sector is more a hindrance than help to promote socialism.
 Economic betterment of the poorer nations is as important as disarmament to
ensure lasting world peace.
 Some simple but effective electoral reforms will enable us to retain the present
parliamentary system and ensure the preservation of democracy in India.
 Nuclear war cannot be won and should not be fought.
 Inflation is inevitable in our developing country.
 The policy of reservation is a legacy of the British and it has done more harm
than good.
 For a marketing post graduate, without prior work experience working in a big
marketing firm is a disadvantage when compared with working in a small firm.
Discuss.
 Consumerism is destroying the social fabric of Indian culture
 Free market is a prerequisite for growth.
 Cricket as a national obsession is a detriment to other sports.
 Formulate the government's health policy to control the spread of AIDS.
 Advertising is a waste of resources.
 State is the biggest violator of human rights.
 There can never be a classless society.
 Voting rights to illiterates in India is illogical because it is widely misused.
 Joint family is a blessing in disguise
 Higher education should be made possible only for those who can pay for it.
 Women cannot successfully combine both career and home
 Women are good managers.
 Effect of liberalization on poverty.
 Indians perform better as individuals rather than in groups.
 Business and ethics go hand in hand, or do they?
 Developing countries should spend more on development than on defence.
 Political parties have outlived their utility.
 Is Swadeshi relevant for India today?
 Money is required to earn more money.
 Foreign trade is necessary for any country to survive
 Presidential Vs Parliamentary form of government of India.
 Technology: The Ism' Of The New Millennium?
 Religion And Politics Should Not Mix
 State Interventions In Market Kind Or Mixed Economy
 Science Is A Boon Or Bane
 Nice Guys Finish Last
 All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy
 Individual Freedom And Civil Society
 Conventionalism And Modernity: The Ever going Debate
 Presidential Form Of Government Is Needed In India
 Bullet For Bullet: Is It The Right Policy?
 Capitation Fees Should Be Abolished
 Brain-Drain Has To Be Stopped
 Nothing Succeeds Like Success
 Secessionism In The North-East: Who's To Blame?
 Age and Youth: Experience And Young Talent
 East Is East & West Is Where All The Action Is: Mark Twain