Page 132 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 6: Group Discussion

6.1 Group Discussion Notes

The Group Discussion is a personality test, most popular with public/private sector
undertakings, government departments, commercial firms, and other organizations, used to
screen candidates, after the written test. It is a part of oral communication.
The entire study of communication would remain incomplete if there was no analysis of the
system of group discussions (GDs). To gauge/judge the mettle of students prior to their entry
into any organization, the communication skills of each one of them are tested vis-á-vis other
equally, academically, competent candidates.
It primarily evaluates one's ability to interact in a group on a given topic. One's group behaviour
means so much for one's success as a manager or an executive, responsible for co-ordination and
organization of activities of groups of individuals. The GD evaluators, therefore, focus on group
dynamics rather than contents of the discussion.
6.2 Technique of Group Discussions

In a group discussion, a group usually consists of 8 to 10 candidates. No one is nominated as a
leader, coordinator or chairman to conduct the discussion. Normally, 20 to 30 minutes are given
as time to complete the discussion. Each candidate is addressed by name or number. The seating
is arranged in a circle or semicircle and the candidates are seated according to the numbers
allotted to them.
A Group Discussion starts without a leader. It is conducted in an atmosphere of free and equal
chance for all candidates to express their views on the topic. It is during the course of discussion
that a leader emerges gradually. A candidate, by his/her maturity, initiative, ability, clarity of
ideas and understanding of group dynamics gradually begins to direct the course of discussion
and mediate between the opposing views to evolve a comprehensive view of the whole group.

6.3 Qualities Needed for Group Discussion

Group Discussions are held with a particular purpose in mind. It may be to select a suitable
candidate for job or suitable candidate as student for admission to a particular course. In any of
these cases, the aim is to select a person owning some qualities. There are certain qualities,
which are looked for during a GD.
1. Leadership Qualities:

(a) Taking Initiative: Primary among the qualities looked for is the leadership quality. In
GDs leadership qualities necessitates that the individuals have the capacity to take
initiative during the course of the interaction. This could entail adopting strategies
such as beginning the discussion, picking up the threads at a later stage, etc.
(b) Ability to Give Direction: It is not necessary to take the initiative if one is not familiar
with the topic. The quality which comes subsequent to it is the quality of possessing
the ability to give direction to the entire discussion. It follows naturally that the
interactant should have the power and ability to sum up all that is being said in a
manner which is conducive to the growth of the discussion. Often, it happens that
one is led astray by emotions or by an inability to comprehend the topic. This is
coupled with the feeling that one must make a perceptible contribution right at the
very beginning of the discussion in order to get noticed. In instances such as these,
if an individual is able to give some kind of direction it becomes easier to follow the
flow of the discussion. The essential attributes of a leader are, therefore, to give

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