GROUP DISCUSSION

WHAT IS GROUP DISCUSSION?

• "Group" is a collection of individuals who have regular contact and frequent

interaction and who work together to achieve a common set of goals .
• "Discussion" is the process whereby two or more people exchange
information or ideas in a face-to-face situation to achieve a goal. The goal, or
end product, maybe increased knowledge, agreement leading to action,
disagreement leading to competition or resolution or perhaps only a clearing
of the air or a continuation of the status-quo.
WHY IS A "GD" CONDUCTED?

• Organizations conduct GDs to find out whether you possess the critical
qualities/skills to contribute effectively to the goal accomplishment process.
• Group Discussions are held because business management is essentially a
group activity and working with groups is the most important parameter of
being successful as a manager.
• Apart from that, the candidates are evaluated on the basis of their
communication skills, knowledge, leadership skills, listening skills,
conceptualizing ability, etc. 
PURPOSES / OBJECTIVES OF
GROUP DISCUSSION
1. SUGGESTIONS:
• Advice and ideas, together with suggestions, they form the core heart of a
group discussion. It is through these tools that a meaningful and practically
implementable solution can be reached. Intermingling of these suggestions
give rise to a new ones, creating a space for best possible output.
2. WIDE APPROACH:
• Group discussion helps to provide wide approach to any matter under
consideration, as it include members from a large number of different
sections of a particular business organisation. The beauty of entire process
is in the area of span it can give to a problem’s redressal.
3. DECISION MAKING:
• Group discussion should be able to justify itself as a tool for rational
evaluation of a problem and thereon reach to a suitable decisions, based on
erstwhile suggestions made by the members.
• It also makes it easier for the leader to able to take even the toughest of
decision with an ease, because by group discussion he can know what is
supported by other members of the organisation.
4. EXCHANGE OF IDEAS:
• Group discussion should also be able to tap the working of every mind,
engaged in the process, by the exchange of ideas put forth.
5. PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY:
• Group discussion is always supposed to be a productive activity in a
business concern. It always a method which helps to procure the best
possible decision for a concern.
ADVANTAGES OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS:
1. MORE RATIONAL DECISION:
• The Group can produce more rational decisions because of deep
understanding and application of many minds in comparison to a single
mind.
2. MORE MEANS:
• The group can pull together better resources. The joint resources of the
group would be superior to the resources of an individual.
3. DIVISION OF LABOR:
• The group decision may lead to division of labour. People specializing in
different fields will contribute their expertise separately to achieve a better
goal. In group discussions, the process of sharing of views helps to eliminate
errors of judgement.
4. COMMITMENT:
• Group discussions results in commitment as it gives a feeling of involvement
and acceptance of the decision.
5. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE:
• Group discussion increases the knowledge and understanding of the
participants. They exchange ideas, views, opinions and discuss the same at
length. There is practically no chance of ambiguity
6. SOLUTION FOR COMPLEX PROBLEMS:
• Modern organisations face sufficiently complex problems. Their solution calls
for group discussion wherein persons with different abilities express their
valued opinions.
7. ENCOURAGEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC AND
INNOVATIVE THINKING:
• All members enjoy full freedom and opportunity to express their opinion in
group discussion. As a result of it, development of democratic and innovative
thinking get encouraged.
LIMITATIONS OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS
1. DELAY:
• Group discussion take time to be arranged and to take decisions.
2. CONFLICTS:
• The members whose views are not accepted may feel offended. Personal
conflicts and rivalry may obstruct proper and timely decision.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN GD’S
(GROUP DISCUSSIONS) 
A) INITIATE
• Break the ice, be the first one to start the discussion, if somebody else has
started, relax. There are a lot of opportunities later. 
B) LISTEN
• Carefully. Communication is a lot about listening. Listen, Comprehend,
Analyse. When you listen carefully, it allows you to contemplate and analyse
which helps in speaking the right thing at the right time. 
C) REMEMBER
• Names, Facts, Figures, Quotations. It helps a lot if you know who has
spoken what. If permitted, you can use a notepad to write
D) OBSERVE
• Body language, how conversation shapes up, gets diverted. Then do the
right thing at the right time. 
E) MANAGE PEOPLE.
• At times there are people who create difficult situations. These are best opportunities to
demonstrate assertive attitude. 
F) COMMUNICATE
• Be frank, clear, firm and jovial in your communication. Your voice should
reach out but not irritate people. 
G) SUMMARISE
• If you did not initiate the talk, this is the right time. If you have been listening
carefully, your summary will be the best one. 
 THE SKILLS THAT ARE USUALLY ASSESSED IN A
GROUP DISCUSSION

• Communication Skills 
• Interpersonal Skills 
• Leadership Skills 
• Motivational Skills 
• Team Building Skills 
• Tolerance to Ambiguity 
• Divergent Thinking 
• Listening skills 
• Presentation Skills 
• Analytical / Logical skills