From getting admission to B-schools to campus placements after graduation to cracking interviews in a multinational company to solving problems at the workplace, group discussions are and will be an crucial aspect of the academic and corporate world.
Group discussion tips can significantly improve your chances in such scenarios, especially if you know how to structure your thoughts clearly.
It is a technique to assess the communication skills, leadership skills, behaviour, structured speaking skills of the candidate and also how suitable the candidate is to work in a group and share their perspectives and ideas on a given topic and problem.
And if you do not know how to lead discussion strategically with structured and logical points, you may miss key opportunities in your life such as
- Getting admission in B-Schools
- Getting job in campus placements
- Recruited for Multinational companies
- Standing out at workplace
In this article, we will learn
- Importance of group discussion
- Techniques to generate points
- Framework to structure the points
- How to start and conclude a group discussion
- GD Phrases
- Building Vocal and Visual Image while discussion.
- Do’s and Don’ts
Cracking group discussions requires clarity of thought, articulation, and emotional intelligence.
Importance of Group Discussion
As stated earlier, group discussion helps the recruiters and academicians to assess whether the candidate is wor or not. GD skills for placements are essential for students aiming for success in interviews and academic evaluations. Therefore, when a topic is given, the way a candidate speaks and behaves matter the most.
Types of Group Discussion
- Topic Based GD
- Problem-Solving based GD
There are various techniques to generate points based on the type
Topic Based
For topic based discussion where you are given a topic to discuss, choosing the correct technique will help you out to speak appropriate points and showcase your communication skills. GD preparation guide helps candidates use structured techniques for effective participation. Below are the best techniques to generate points for a topic:
- SPELT:
Social
Political
Economical
Legal
Technical
For general/social topic
Example: Social Media: A boon or a bane
S: provides free education to most people. Example youtube
P: helps political parties to set a narrative. Example 2016 US election and Facebook role in it.
E: helps businesses to grow. Example Instagram for marketing
L: helps in solving cyberbullying cases. Example social media posts and photos as evidences
T: useful for business intelligence and audience targeting. Example Youtube Studio
- POPBEANS:
Person
Object
Place
Beliefs
Event
Action
Nature
Scientific
For example: A sketch is better than a long speech
P: A sketch is better for visual learners, such as children who learn faster with cartoons and sketches than long speeches which bore them out.
O: To display the road signs, sketches are used.
P: To solve crime, audio/visuals such as CCTV footages, sketches of criminals helps the law enforcement
B: A picture speaks thousand words
E: In art competitions, sketches wins
A: Using sketches during presentation or business pitches
N: A tree showcases its life story via its rings on the trunk.
S: In technical world, complex ideas are communicated through the sketches or visuals
Problem Solving based GD
For problem solving based GD, where one is given a real life problem to solve, one has to make sure to use the technique that hits the bullseye that means finding the solution to the problem.
SPADE
Situation
Problem
Analysis
Decision
Evaluation
For example:
A company is designing an e-commerce website. However, according to the budget, they can only include three features. What three features should be there?
1. AI recommendation
- One click checkout
- Delivery Spot Booking
- Loyalty rewards
- Order Tracking
How SPADE works
S: Startup launching e-commerce
P: Budget limit forces prioritization
A: Evaluate all features
D: Choose top 3 with reasons
E: Consider backup plan or future rollout
SCAMPER
Substitute
Combine
Adapt
Modify
Adapt
Put to another use
Eliminate
This technique is used to innovate an existing product or service.
Campus to corporate transition becomes smoother when individuals learn to collaborate and innovate during group activities.
For example: How to innovate Cadbury Gems
S: Substitute chocolate with fruity pulp = Fruity Gems
C: Combine gems with a mini toy, lets say Harry Potter toy = Hogwards Gems
Combine with a small cupcake=Last minute birthday cake
A: Adapt the idea of fortune cookies,: include tiny messages or dares=Fortune gems
M: Maximize the size of the gems = Monster Gems
Minimize the size of gems = Tinkerbell Gems
P: Use gems as a cake or shake topping = D decor Gems
E: Eliminate the outer crunchy shell = Cadbury Melt Drops
R: Reverse the filling. Crunchy inside, chocolate outside= Cherry Popin Bonbons
Framework for Point Structuring.
Many candidates state the point but do not structure it. And here they lose the point for structured thinking. Here is the most powerful framework that helps to structure a point properly.
PEER
Point
Explain
Example
Rephrase the point
P: In my opinion, AI is a boon for the society.
E: It can help physically abled people to use their limbs again
E: For example, Bionic arm by company Atom Limbs is a great revolution that has provided arms to people who were either born without it or lost it in an accident, changing their lives forever.
R: Therefore, I believe that AI is helping mankind.
How to Start and Conclude the GD.
The start and end of the GD are two crucial pillars of GD. The former gives direction in which the GD will go while the latter is the final destination of the GD.
Group discussion tips often emphasize how a strong start helps you establish control over the discussion.
Starting the GD
Most people do not know how to start the GD.
Either they only state the topic or topic with a point and lose the game in the start itself.
A strong start showcases your leadership skill and also how clear you are in your thought process.
Start the discussion by stating
Good morning/afternoon/evening (as per the time) members of the group.
State the topic: Today, the topic of discussion is…..
Give your point: In my opinion
Use PEER technique
Open the GD for everyone: Now the GD is open for all
Concluding the GD
If the start showcases your leadership and articulation skills, then conclusion showcases your active listening, logical thinking, and leadership skills.
However, most people lose their points here as well.
They either wrongly conclude the GD or introduce a new idea in it.
Conclusion means logical closure, the crux.
To conclude GD properly,
- Note down everyone’s points
- Analyse the points
- State the decision: After taking everyone’s points in consideration we have reached the conclusion that AI has more benefits than drawbacks.(It can be opposite too depending on how many points are spoken in favor against)
- And speak the points.
DO NOT EXPLAIN ANY POINT OR INTRODUCE ANY POINT
GD Phrases
Gd phrases are extremely important. They are like the envelope for a letter.
Without them, your message might never get delivered properly.
- In my opinion
- I agree with your point and I’d like to add
- Your point/points sound/sounds good but I disagree with it
- Let’s not deviate from the topic
- This is a discussion going on not a debate so let us stick to that
- After taking everyone’s point in consideration, we have reached the conclusion that
Soft skills for freshers can be strengthened by regularly practicing such expressions in group discussions.
Building Vocal and Visual Image
It is extremely important to set your image to make sure that your point does not get lost in the voices of others
Vocal Image
- Speak louder with bass in voice(Speak from chest)
- Modulate your voice
- Articulate your words properly
Visual Image
- Wear appropriate clothes as per the occasion
- Use open hand gestures but avoid flailing your hands
- Sit straight and maintain eye contact with the group
- Do not shake your legs. Sit calmly
Do’s and Don’ts of GD
Do’s
Use 1 or two minutes timer well to note down the points on the piece of paper
Use the techniques for point generation and framework to structure the point.
Intervene if GD is getting deviated from the topic or is turning into a debate or say fish market
Give others a chance to speak
Noting down everyone’s point on a piece of paper. This will help you to conclude the GD
Speak louder
Maintain eye contact with everyone.
Use GD phrases
Don’ts
Do not start the GD if you do not know the topic
Do not interrupt others while speaking
Do not mumble
Do not have one on one discussion.
Do not finger point at someone
Do not project yourself in style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a group discussion is not a casual discussion which can have loose ends. A group discussion is structured conversation which helps a person to get admission, a job, or to solve challenges at workplace.
