Group Discussions: Dos and Don’ts

Group discussion has become an integral part of the selection procedure for job recruitment, and admission to quality academic programmes. The strategy for success involves many do’s and don’ts. Here are a few vital points to be borne in mind at the time of preparation.

Gather full details of controversial topics of public interest by following daily news, editorial comments and articles written by experts in news magazines.

• Maintain a personal diary of events.
• Develop language skills including basic grammar, pronunciation, and effective expressions.
• Use simple yet forceful language; don’t go form bombast.
• Arrange your facts logically.
• Don’t take extreme positions.
• Meet opposition with a smile.
• Be broad-minded in your approach.
• Don’t be unduly emotional during discussions.
• Discuss and not dispute.
• If you present an argument, give facts to support it.
• Be impartial. Keep a balanced view.
• Don’t insult a person or a group.
• Appreciate good views expressed by others.
• Be a good listener.
• Don’t try to monopolise the time given for the group.
• Speak patiently and convincingly.
• Use appropriate and relevant quotations or proverbs to establish your point.
• Encourage a silent or shy member to speak.
• Don’t use provocative language or gestures.
• Don’t hit on the table to prove a point.
• Look at the members by turn.
• Don’t block others.
• Don’t retort strongly if someone attacks you.
• Continue to be pleasant; a smile helps a lot.
• Light humour is OK; don’t be a clown.
• Check your body language.
• If someone asks your views, take it as an opportunity to speak. Don’t shy away from it.
• Show willingness for co-operation and teamwork.
• Be polite; show no sign of arrogance or superiority.
• Don’t talk too fast sacrificing clarity; don’t be dragging either.
• Don’t shout or whisper; speak normally.
• Avoid mannerisms such as “you see”, “I mean”, “Sort of” and “Ya Ya”.
• Give priority to group interest and not self-interest.
• Never give an impression that you are confused.
• Use expressions such as “As you put it rightly” and “We should appreciate the views of”
• When you want to differ, use phrases such as “Let us look at this from a different angle”.
• Don’t just repeat the view given by another participant.
• Don’t give crude or uncivilized views or unpalatable expressions.
• Illustrate your views by examples.
• Don’t get disheartened if one of your views is not being carried.
• Don’t blow your trumpets.
• If you get an opportunity to open the discussion or to conclude, do it well.
• Be punctual.
• Dress neatly.
• Be confident of success.