6 Attitudes to Success Unit III :Group Discussion 1SNIST Copyright 2012

Unit 1Soft Skills Unit 2Body Language Unit 3Group Discussions Unit 4Interview Skills Unit 5Etiquettes and Manners Unit 6Developing Positive Attitude 2SNIST Copyright 2012

After the completion of this module, you will be able to:  Learn the importance of Group discussion  Know the traits tested for an individual  Identify your positives and opportunities from concept  How we attract other participants with leadership qualities  Learn to mange yourself to be prepared for an GD 3SNIST Copyright 2012

 Introduction  Objective of GD  Traits tested in a GD  Skills required in GD  Consequences of GD  Elements of GD  Do’s and Don'ts of GD  Non verbal communication in GD  Points to remember  Further Readings 4SNIST Copyright 2012

Group Discussion Generally knowing or unknowingly we interact many people in our daily life. Consider an individual working in an organization spends a considerable amount of time in groups. Ability to work in teams has become more important than knowledge of quantitative and statistical techniques. “It is a process of examining or considering something in detail in a group.” ‘It is a process of incorporating views of different team members to reach a common goal.”

Group discussion is an activity which helps the employer to observe a number of the personality traits or attitude of the participants. Let us have a glance on few of the observations:  It can change your attitude  It increases your confidence in speaking  Improves your listening skills and ability to think critically  Helps in solving the problem and decide on the solution  You can get well versed with the subject

To assess a candidate an employer tests on the following characters Team Player: In the beginning of one’s career, a person has to work in a group and only at a later stage s\he starts working as a leader independently. Those who lack team skills cannot become a good leaders. Reasoning Ability: It shows your skills towards the way you have an idea and opinions

Leadership Qualities: Its important aspect is, directing the group and learn to facilitate the situations. Inspire individual and guide in coming to a conclusion. Flexibility: You must be open to other’s ideas as well as to the evaluation of your ideas. It is advised that you don’t start your group discussion with a stand or conclusion, because you may have to change or alter. Assertiveness: Putting your views in a confident with a polite way, should indicate that you are not aggressive.

Inspiring ability: Try giving a chance to those who haven't got it, so, giving them a chance to speak will attract the attention of both the participants and the evaluator. Listening: Listening is an ability which shows how open you are to others ideas and opinion. Creativity: Ty to think out of the box and where your ideas should be in such a way that it must be appreciated

Communication Skills: Expression is one important aspects of communication. A candidate who is successful in holding the attention of the audience creates a positive impact. One has to speak effectively creating an impact by his knowledge. Knowledge Sharing: Knowledge of the subject under discussion and clarity of ideas are important.IN-depth knowledge makes one confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and confident.

Leadership and Coordinating capabilities: Group discussions judges on leadership qualities also. A candidate should display tactfulness,skills,understanding and knowledge on varied topics, enterprise and other leadership qualities to motivate and influence other candidates who may be almost equally competent. Exchange of thoughts: It is a kind of knowledge sharing in a group. The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their skills, which normally cannot be evaluated in an interview.

Let us see the positive and negative outcome. Positive outcome:  Increases motivation of members  Enhanced understanding of issues  Improved interpersonal relations  Enabling to take better decisions Negative outcome:  Creation of ill feelings  Divides the group  Causes misunderstanding  Causes quarrel at times

 Initiating a discussion: If you are familiar with the given topic, it would be wise to initiate the discussion and exhibit your confidence and knowledge of the subject like Quotes,definitions,questions,facts and figures  Possessing requisite knowledge: It provides an opportunity to capture the attention of the participants and the organizer's

 Communicating effectively: It is important to have relevant and significant information which can support you during your discussion  Role of Body Language: Your body language coincides with your state of mind. Your body language must send the right signals to coincide with what you speak.

Maturity and mutual respect: This talks about having respect for each other and cooperation. When you demonstrate the mutual respect it shows the maturity of the person. Making an impact: Having knowledge is not enough, one should know how to present it, which creates an impact.

Technique of interruption: One should know in GD’s we have short span of time wherein we cannot interrupt as we like. There are ways for it, like excuse me, can I add-on to what my friend said etc which indicates you are not directly interrupting them. Reaching Consensus: Ones you are confident of the topic then it is required that you must take an initiative to end the topic with some conclusion.

Do’sDon'ts(You should never) Be yourself, do not pretendLose your temper, do not make a discussion as an argument Be good in your tone like audible to all and having all your thoughts in organized manner Use too many gestures when speaking Start the topic when you feel you have clearly understood Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote Be assertive, present well and maintain your maturity Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak Motivate the other members to participate demonstrating leadership qualities Shout and never dominate the other person

 Facial Expression: Keep yourself relaxed and confident  Movements of Hands: Slight movements are acceptable. Pointing a figure to someone is not suggestible  Body Gestures: Sit little leaning forward indicating that you are interested in discussion whereas leaning backward represents disinterest

 Head Movements : ◦ Excessive nodding: You are experiencing anxiety ◦ Not moving: Disinterest in discussion ◦ Minimal nodding: Agreeing in a subtle manner  Eye contact: Your eyes reflect the general state of mind, done occasionally Movements and gestures(Avoid):  Yawning  Tapping of feet

 Touching of hair  Looking outside the window  Narrowing of eyes  Raised eyebrows  Fiddling with the objects(pen/ring/spectacles)  Lips biting

 Knowledge is the strength. A candidate with the good leading habits has more chances of success  Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality  Language used should be simple, direct and straight forward and no slangs to be used  Don’t interrupt a speaker when a session is On  Communicate with every person present in discussion  Eye Contact, Gestures and Nodding plays a vital role

 Mannerism-Style and Civilization by John Shearman  A thousand splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini  This Charming Man by Marian Keyes  The book thief by Markus Zusak  Soft Skills – Know Yourself & Know the World by Dr.K.Alex

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