For most of the MBA aspirants GDs are a nightmare. There is a lot of hype and hoopla surrounding the GD process. One of the most often asked questions about GD is about the format.
"Why do we have 10-12 persons in a GD and why the time cap? What are the parameters on which one's performance in a GD is evaluated?"
This is one crucial question that hangs in the mind of every MBA aspirant.
So, first, let us try and understand the purpose served by a GD. It is an unfortunate but true fact that GDs conducted for admission to most of the B-schools in India serve more as is a rejection tool then a selection procedure. It is a tool for mass elimination of candidates. However, the elimination is based on certain ground rules. Your performance in a GD is evaluated mainly on the following criteria:
1. Integration of knowledge: It is about how well you integrate your knowledge into the topic with the flow of the discussion.
2. Reasoning skills: It is about how well you put forward your arguments in a logical fashion.
3. Communication skills: It is about how well you articulate you ideas in the discussion.
4. Interpersonal skills: This evaluates your social skill and your presence in the GD.
5. Group Behavior Assessment: This is about the kind of role you played in the GD and how you influenced the dynamics of the GD.
Now that you have a better idea about how a GD is evaluated, let us put some of the common conceptions about GD under our experts' lens:
Formals are not important:
It is a truth that many organisations would like to maintain an informal environment and are increasingly accepting informal dressing in work culture, but have you ever seen the CEO or an important person in such a company ever attending a formal occasion in casuals?
The first one to speak surely makes it:
Yes, speaking first means that you have the confidence and capability to take the initiative but speaking first also lays a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. The first person is supposed to give a clear direction to the discussion and steer the GD the right way. So it essential that the person taking the initiative must make points that are relevant and make sense. If you are not able to do that, then speaking first works against you.
The more you speak the better are your chances:
If two or three people in a GD believe in this concept, it is the perfect recipe for a fish market GD. Please remember that your interpersonal skills are judged by how well you listen to others. You will be able to contribute in a coherent fashion only if you are able to listen to what others say and connect what you are about to say to it.
I spoke less than the others; I do not stand a chance!
It doesn't matter how much you have spoken, what really matters is how much sense you made while you spoke. Were you relevant and in context? Were you able to capture the attention of the audience? These are the crucial questions that determine your chances. Specifically, in factual GDs, if one speaks less but contributes highly relevant statistical and factual information on the topic, one is definitely going to gain.
It is essential to memorise all the facts and figures:
GDs are about ideas and the exchange of ideas, they are not about data. It is essential that you have a larger picture of the topic and most of the discussion should revolve around the macro-issues and not the micro-issues. So, it is helpful if you have some macro-statistics at hand but you certainly don't have to cram up on all the minor details.
For example, while speaking of poverty in India you just need to have a rough estimate of the number of people below the poverty line, even a rough percentage will do. It is not necessary that you should also mention the criterion that determines whether one is below or above the poverty line.
One needs to have an exceptional vocabulary to be successful in GDs:
Nothing is farther from the truth. If you use words that your audience cannot understand you are going to lose the audience. Nothing worse can happen to you in a GD. All you need is crisp, plain, grammatically correct language with a pinch of humour, if possible, to articulate your ideas.
I should have aggressive body language to attract attention:
Body language is to lay emphasis on the words you speak, aggressive body language distracts the listener and diverts attention from what you are saying. GDs are all about capturing an audience for what you have to say; people won't be interested in the funny gestures you are capable of.
So as a final count let us recall the 7 best ways to ruin your GD.
1. Dress like Elvis Presley
2. Say whatever comes to your mind, however irrelevant just to be the one to speak first
3. Keep on speaking, never mind if people are listening or not
4. Wait till you get a chance to speak
5. Show them all the statistics you know
6. Use powerful vocabulary, that no one understands
7. Make wild gestures to attract attention
10 things to Get Noticed in your Group Discussion
Showing posts with label Group Discussion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group Discussion. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
10 things to Get Noticed in your Group Discussion
In last article, we discussed eight things that you should not do in a group discussion (GD). This time we look at tips that can help you in succeeding in the GD. Your soft skills definitely come into picture here. Here are some of the things that you can do to make a winning impression in your GD.
1. Read voraciously: Make a habit of reading voraciously on every subject. This will keep you ready for any topic for a discussion in GD. Your knowledge is your most important weapon in a discussion.
2. Initiate the discussion: Most of us have a misconception that initiating the discussion would give you an advantage over others. It does give you an advantage but only if you know the subject well and have something relevant to start the discussion otherwise it is a disadvantage.
3. Speak politely and pleasantly: As you speak make sure that you do not talk at the top of your voice. You should be audible and clear. Remember that you are participating in a discussion which is different from a speech given out by the leaders in their rallies. Even if you disagree with the other's point of view, disagree politely. Use phrases like, 'I would like to disagree a bit here' or 'I am sorry, but I think I have a slightly different point of view'.
4. Be precise: Abstain from using irrelevant information and data from your talks during a GD. Speak precisely so that others also get a chance to put across their point of view.
5. Acquire and apply knowledge: Stay attentive to the ideas put forward by other group members and keep writing the important points discussed during the GD. As you get a chance to speak, put forward your views about the topic. You can also agree or disagree with other's ideas, based on your knowledge about the subject.
6. Agree with the right: Don't take a stand on either extreme when the discussion begins. It might happen that you get convinced by other's argument and want to change your stand. Respect another's opinion as well and agree with what is right, even if you initially had a different opinion.
7. Speak confidently: Maintain your confidence as you speak. Establish eye contact with other members of the group and do not let your voice tremble.
8. Moderate: Try to moderate the discussion if any arguments arise. This is necessary to ensure that the group doesn't wander from the goal of the GD.
9. Use positive body language: Your body language should not demonstrate dominance or low self confidence. Show your interest in the discussion through your gestures like bending forward a bit, nodding your head.
10. Be a team player: Last but not the least, be a team player as this is a group activity. Be comfortable with the group members and vice versa.
8 Ways to ruin your Group Discussion
1. Read voraciously: Make a habit of reading voraciously on every subject. This will keep you ready for any topic for a discussion in GD. Your knowledge is your most important weapon in a discussion.
2. Initiate the discussion: Most of us have a misconception that initiating the discussion would give you an advantage over others. It does give you an advantage but only if you know the subject well and have something relevant to start the discussion otherwise it is a disadvantage.
3. Speak politely and pleasantly: As you speak make sure that you do not talk at the top of your voice. You should be audible and clear. Remember that you are participating in a discussion which is different from a speech given out by the leaders in their rallies. Even if you disagree with the other's point of view, disagree politely. Use phrases like, 'I would like to disagree a bit here' or 'I am sorry, but I think I have a slightly different point of view'.
4. Be precise: Abstain from using irrelevant information and data from your talks during a GD. Speak precisely so that others also get a chance to put across their point of view.
5. Acquire and apply knowledge: Stay attentive to the ideas put forward by other group members and keep writing the important points discussed during the GD. As you get a chance to speak, put forward your views about the topic. You can also agree or disagree with other's ideas, based on your knowledge about the subject.
6. Agree with the right: Don't take a stand on either extreme when the discussion begins. It might happen that you get convinced by other's argument and want to change your stand. Respect another's opinion as well and agree with what is right, even if you initially had a different opinion.
7. Speak confidently: Maintain your confidence as you speak. Establish eye contact with other members of the group and do not let your voice tremble.
8. Moderate: Try to moderate the discussion if any arguments arise. This is necessary to ensure that the group doesn't wander from the goal of the GD.
9. Use positive body language: Your body language should not demonstrate dominance or low self confidence. Show your interest in the discussion through your gestures like bending forward a bit, nodding your head.
10. Be a team player: Last but not the least, be a team player as this is a group activity. Be comfortable with the group members and vice versa.
8 Ways to ruin your Group Discussion
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
8 Ways to ruin your Group Discussion
While participating in a GD, you must avoid things that can work to your disadvantage and might cost you the selection. Here are some things that you must avoid doing as a GD participant:
1. Initiating the discussion without proper subject knowledge:
Although initiating the discussion helps you get the immediate attention of the evaluators, sharing irrelevant details just for teh sake of talking can work to your disadvantage. Start first only if you know the subject well otherwise wait for others to start and get a feel of the subject before entering into the discussion.
2. Snatching another's chance to speak:
Give your group members a chance to speak. Talking more won't get you through the GD. In fact it will give the evaluators a feeling that you are not a team player. Making short and relevant contributions of 20-30 seconds 3-4 times in the discussion is enough.
3. Interrupting others:
Let the other person finish his comment before you speak. Interrupting someone is counted as a negative trait. Remember, it is a discussion not a debate. Don't jump at the conclusions. Listen carefully to the other person before putting your point across.
4. Dialogue:
In a GD you are expected to communicate with all the members of the group. Do not keep looking at one person while talking. Establish eye contact with all the members of the group. It is a many-on-many discussion not one-on-one.
5. Shouting or dominating:
Keep you emotions in check. Do not try to dominate the others or let your emotions rule you. Sometimes it might happen that a group member might say something that hurts your feelings such as a comment on your race or religion, make sure that you do not get into an argument. Your focus should be to effectively meet the goals of GD topic.
6. Showing off:
You have to put across your knowledge on the subject during the GD but you have to be very careful about the thin demarcation between showing off and knowledge sharing. For eg, using statistics and facts during the GD is a good thing to do but you must not overdo it enough to nauseate the group members.
7. Low self confidence or insecurities:
As we have seen earlier, one of the traits evaluated during a GD is your self confidence. Do not hesitate to speak confidently, even if you might be short of ideas or knowledge on the subject. Listen to others and put across your thoughts in a clear and audible voice. Make sure that you make eye contact with all the group members.
8. Slang and negative gestures:
GD is a formal discussion. Avoid informal words and negative gestures. For eg avoid words like gonna, wanna, ya etc. Similarly avoid gestures like pointing fingers, tapping the desk with the pen.
If you ensure that you do not commit these mistakes during the GD, you will not have to worry too much about the negative marks and your chances of getting through it also become much brighter.
Purpose of a Group Discussion
1. Initiating the discussion without proper subject knowledge:
Although initiating the discussion helps you get the immediate attention of the evaluators, sharing irrelevant details just for teh sake of talking can work to your disadvantage. Start first only if you know the subject well otherwise wait for others to start and get a feel of the subject before entering into the discussion.
2. Snatching another's chance to speak:
Give your group members a chance to speak. Talking more won't get you through the GD. In fact it will give the evaluators a feeling that you are not a team player. Making short and relevant contributions of 20-30 seconds 3-4 times in the discussion is enough.
3. Interrupting others:
Let the other person finish his comment before you speak. Interrupting someone is counted as a negative trait. Remember, it is a discussion not a debate. Don't jump at the conclusions. Listen carefully to the other person before putting your point across.
4. Dialogue:
In a GD you are expected to communicate with all the members of the group. Do not keep looking at one person while talking. Establish eye contact with all the members of the group. It is a many-on-many discussion not one-on-one.
5. Shouting or dominating:
Keep you emotions in check. Do not try to dominate the others or let your emotions rule you. Sometimes it might happen that a group member might say something that hurts your feelings such as a comment on your race or religion, make sure that you do not get into an argument. Your focus should be to effectively meet the goals of GD topic.
6. Showing off:
You have to put across your knowledge on the subject during the GD but you have to be very careful about the thin demarcation between showing off and knowledge sharing. For eg, using statistics and facts during the GD is a good thing to do but you must not overdo it enough to nauseate the group members.
7. Low self confidence or insecurities:
As we have seen earlier, one of the traits evaluated during a GD is your self confidence. Do not hesitate to speak confidently, even if you might be short of ideas or knowledge on the subject. Listen to others and put across your thoughts in a clear and audible voice. Make sure that you make eye contact with all the group members.
8. Slang and negative gestures:
GD is a formal discussion. Avoid informal words and negative gestures. For eg avoid words like gonna, wanna, ya etc. Similarly avoid gestures like pointing fingers, tapping the desk with the pen.
If you ensure that you do not commit these mistakes during the GD, you will not have to worry too much about the negative marks and your chances of getting through it also become much brighter.
Purpose of a Group Discussion
Monday, March 24, 2008
Purpose of a Group Discussion
A group discussion or GD, is a form of many-on-many discussion. It has become an inseparable part of admissions to management institutes and your selection in campus interviews.
A GD is held to identify certain traits that companies and institutes like to see in their employees or students. Let's take a look at the traits which the evaluators look out for in a candidate during the GD.
Knowledge: Whatever you do in a GD, your knowledge about the subject can't be replaced by anything else. You are required to talk in a GD but inputs that don't contain any substantial value will not help in any way. Be a voracious reader to increase your knowledge on various subjects. Newspapers, TV, magazines, news portals etc are great sources of knowledge.
Alertness and presence of mind: In a GD you are required to carefully listen to the other person's thoughts and keep an argument, example or a supportive statement, fact, example ready to participate in the discussion. Here comes into picture your alertness and ability to think and act immediately. As you participate in a GD, make sure that you sit with an attentive mind and keep taking down the relevant points put forward by others.
Communication: You may have a lot of good points to put across but if you can't communicate them clearly, you won't stand a chance when it comes to impressing the evaluators. Practice communicating in a clear and effective way with your friends, family or study group.
Confidence: Your self confidence adds a lot of value to your candidature. Look at every group member as you speak, avoid too much hand movement and looking at evaluators.
Leadership and team skills: Your participation in a GD clearly establishes not only your leadership skills but also your capability to work in a team. To meet the objectives, a good leader has to be a team player.
Goal orientation: Since so many people participate in a GD, the chances of the discussion moving away from the subject are high. Your focus on the goal can get you some extra points.
A GD is held to identify certain traits that companies and institutes like to see in their employees or students. Let's take a look at the traits which the evaluators look out for in a candidate during the GD.
Knowledge: Whatever you do in a GD, your knowledge about the subject can't be replaced by anything else. You are required to talk in a GD but inputs that don't contain any substantial value will not help in any way. Be a voracious reader to increase your knowledge on various subjects. Newspapers, TV, magazines, news portals etc are great sources of knowledge.
Alertness and presence of mind: In a GD you are required to carefully listen to the other person's thoughts and keep an argument, example or a supportive statement, fact, example ready to participate in the discussion. Here comes into picture your alertness and ability to think and act immediately. As you participate in a GD, make sure that you sit with an attentive mind and keep taking down the relevant points put forward by others.
Communication: You may have a lot of good points to put across but if you can't communicate them clearly, you won't stand a chance when it comes to impressing the evaluators. Practice communicating in a clear and effective way with your friends, family or study group.
Confidence: Your self confidence adds a lot of value to your candidature. Look at every group member as you speak, avoid too much hand movement and looking at evaluators.
Leadership and team skills: Your participation in a GD clearly establishes not only your leadership skills but also your capability to work in a team. To meet the objectives, a good leader has to be a team player.
Goal orientation: Since so many people participate in a GD, the chances of the discussion moving away from the subject are high. Your focus on the goal can get you some extra points.
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