One cannot overemphasise how important a group discussion is. Candidates may feel that a GD is not the fairest way to evaluate their skills. However, GDs provide valuable insights to the institutes when deciding upon whom to pick. It is better to accept the practicality of the group discussion phase rather than being bogged down by it.
We have come up with a list of suggestions to help you approach group discussions more confidently.
Before the Group Discussion
Understand what you need to do. When it comes to group discussions at any MBA college, for all MBA courses, the most important aspect is to have your wits about you – not only during, but also before the actual event. It all begins with your understanding of what the group discussion actually explores about you. In our opinion, it is the perfect scenario to make individuals work as a team. It requires participants to bring their individuality to the table in a constructive way.
A group discussion is a manner of debate. The participants are given a topic to be discussed, and expected to express their own ideas, while working out a common conclusion or solution.
Group discussion topics could range from current affairs to past errors, or even future prospects and their advantages versus the disadvantages. You will be expected to participate in a manner that displays your intellect and knowledge as well as your confidence and interest in the field or topic.
Essentially, we suggest you try and study as much as you can about possible group discussion topics, and once you have taken in all you possibly can, try and relax. Keep calm when you enter the discussion room, and make sure you present a decent image – one of a calm and collected individual, who cares about how presentable he or she looks, but is more focused on the problem.
During the Group Discussion – 5 Vital Tips
So, that was for the time before the actual group discussion starts. Once that has occurred, your focus must be entirely on ensuring that you follow the 5 basic group discussion tips laid out in front of you over here, and are as adept at listening as you are at speaking. If you keep these notions in mind, you are sure to crack that tough-sounding GD.
Analyse
Understand and Critically Evaluate the Topic: This point focuses on the most important aspect of your GD preparation – your intellect and your ability to use it in practical circumstances. Logic is and always will be your friend in this scenario; make sure that you hear the question or topic clearly and without preconceived notions.Try to grasp the topic as soon as the moderator states it. Asking the moderator to repeat the question might make you seem inattentive.
Construct
Structure your thoughts: After understanding the group discussion topic, mull it over deeply and thoroughly in your head. Think about it holistically and evaluate multiple outcomes. Choose the most logical and objective ideas and present them to the group.
Lead
Take Initiative: It is important that you display a certain degree of initiative during the discussion. Try and open the discussion. If someone else does, take it as an opportunity to structure your inputs better. Make sure that your opinions are heard.
If you do manage to bag the chance to play mediator in this situation, do so in a dignified and structured way. In such a case, it shouldn’t matter whether your opinion is positive, negative or neutral, although it is important that you express it at one point. Make an effort to involve everyone in the discussion. Participants are likely to come up with opposing or contradictory viewpoints. Accommodate such viewpoints and ensure that the discussion flows smoothly.
Confer
Make Sure It’s a Discussion: If you take the lead, avoid having bias and be impartial. However, you do need to express your views either way, without letting them sound agitated or accusatory in any way. Choose your words carefully, ensure that your tone is assertive without being aggressive. State your opinion in a calm and structured manner.
It is best if you express yourself in points, as it makes the discussion easier. On the other hand, you also need to make sure that you listen well to what others are saying; they may have a point that you could use for your rebuttal, or one that makes you think further, from a new perspective. It would be best if the discussion didn’t turn into a fish market, or worse – one of the heated debates we see on various news channels.
Conclude
Summarize the Points Established: Of course, every discussion needs to come to a certain conclusion. Make sure that your points are included in it, whether you act as mediator or not. Obviously, your thought process would have to be incredibly strong and logical in this scenario.
On the other hand, if you are playing the role of mediator, it would be best to draw up a basic summary of all the important points. Also, take a note of what the majority of the crowd feels. You can do this by asking the group to answer yes or no questions by show of hands.
To conclude, we can only say that while it is important for you to make an impression on the people from the MBA colleges, it is also necessary that you do so the right way, and these group discussion tips would certainly come in handy. If you speak out of turn, or do not have a valid point, even taking the initiative would affect your performance and hence, their opinion of you, adversely.
MBA courses require logical and analytical thinking. It is hence extremely important to demonstrate this, beyond anything else, during your GD. Keep your mind on the immediate problem and express yourself unabashedly. Stop worrying about what the evaluators might expect or want you to say. If you follow these points, you might even think of the GD as fun! So go on ahead, stand out in the crowd and make sure you create a lasting impression.
What suggestions can you provide for approaching a group discussion? Please tell us in the comments.
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