Sharma - Group Discussion

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UNICORN BOOKS

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Copyright: Author

ISBN: 9788178068978

Edition: April, 2010

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Hello friends,

Welcome to the exciting world of Group Discussions! A group discussion is your gateway to a lucrative career, as many esteemed organisations use it as a tool to select the candidates with the desired traits (and reject the ones with negative traits). B-schools, BPOs and various companies in various fields conduct group discussions. Perhaps, thats precisely the reason why you are holding this book right now. But if you are one of those persons who dont like group discussions very much, let me assure you that you are a part of the majority. In fact, it will be very hard to find a person who never felt a tingling sensation in the body or butterflies in the stomach before or during a group discussion. Yet, I must say that a group discussion is nothing to fear of! It wont be an exaggeration to state that group discussions are a part of our day-to-day life. Perhaps you have never had a day when you didnt discuss anything with anyone. Every time you talk to someone, probably you are amidst a discussion. You may be discussing the inaugural F-1 race of India, the latest movie of your favourite superstar, your career plans, or a relatives health, or any subject at hand; and these discussions prepare you for the professional group discussions. Then why do we feel nervous before a professional GD? Because the stakes are high. A good performance can make your career, while a not-so-good one can break your long-cherished dream. And how can you overcome this nervousness? The answer is simple: By preparing for what may come. The very purpose of this book is to prepare you for any group discussions you may have to face. All the techniques described in this book are simple yet effective. As you go through the book, you will feel more and more empowered. And never forget Practice makes a student perfect. All the best!

NITIN SHARMA

Chapter 1

Many students believe a group discussion to be a loyal friend; many others think its a formidable foe. Let me assure you, it is neither. In fact, it is rather a simple process in which participants sit together and discuss a topic, and try to reach a consensus (or solution to a given problem). Group discussion is conducted because before an organization recruits a candidate, it wants to make sure that the candidate is suitable for that particular job. For instance, if its a sales job, the candidate must have a right mix of assertiveness and willingness to serve the customer, so that he or she can sell the product and retain the customers. If its an administration related position, the candidate must be able to display confidence. A B-School conducts a group discussion to select the candidates with managerial traits. These traits can be easily spotted during a professional group discussion, as there is time pressure in addition to the pressure to perform. Nevertheless, a candidate, who has practised enough, can perform under any amount of pressure.

To a large extent, your success depends on your attitude. It is a universal fact that the more you love something, the better you get at it (and vice-versa). Therefore, if you want to perform well in a group discussion, learn to like it (yes, it can be learned!). Those who hate group discussions are less likely to perform well in them. (Moreover, why should you hate something neutral? Why not love it instead?) Change this tendency as soon as possible. How? Ill tell you. The more you understand something, the more you love it. Therefore, keep practising until you learn to love it. Trust me, it will pay off well in the end.

Myth 1: You should always initiate the discussion: Though it is true that you may earn some points if you take initiative, but you should only do it if you know the subject well. A weak opening (because of poor knowledge of the subject) may work against you and may give a wrong impression of your leadership qualities. I wont say that first impression is the last impression, but first impression does matter a good deal. So, if you are not confident enough, let someone else take the initiative and then you can make your points. However, Ill advise you to be among the first few speakers.

Myth 2: Only aggressive speakers win: Nothing can be further from the truth. Aggression is one thing, assertiveness is another. And you can be assertive without being aggressive. While aggression may diminish your chances of getting selected, assertiveness may enhance your chances. Just back your statements with relevant examples and arguments.

Myth 3: You should speak very loudly so that others can hear you: You should speak loud enough, but not too loudly. Shouting is not considered appropriate. In fact, the most successful speakers hardly ever shout. Speak as naturally as you always do when you talk to the people. (How to make yourself heard in a fish-market will be discussed later.)

Myth 4: If you speak a lot, your chances of getting selected are increased: Its simply not true. Saying irrational things will leave a bad impression on the evaluator (judge). Even if you have a lot to say, say it in a concise manner. Let others also make their points. It shows team spirit. (However, that doesnt mean you should cut back on your time so that others can speak. Live and let live.)

Myth 5: If you speak like a celebrity, youll make a great impression: Please dont underestimate the evaluators. They want to hear you, not a famous personality. Be yourself. Myth 6: If you keep quiet, you may still get selected: No chance. No pain, no gain. You have to say what you must, or how else will the judges evaluate you?

Myth 7: Only fluent speakers perform well in a GD: Fluency has its benefits, no doubt. But even if you are not an absolutely fluent speaker, still you will have a fair chance if you know what to say and how to say it. Your knowledge, attitude, manners, attentiveness and other qualities also determine your score. (That doesnt mean you can ignore the fluency part entirely. Work on it as much as you can, but dont take unnecessary tension. In fact, some B-schools arrange language fluency lessons for those bright candidates who need them.)

Myth 8: You may use your native language in a GD: Some people believe they can do this. No, you mustnt. While an evaluator may forgive some of your mistakes, speaking in your native language will definitely leave a negative impression, unless, of course, it is also the official language of the discussion. However, you may use a few words or examples which are very common and generally known to all. Otherwise, stick to the language allowed to you (which is mostly English).