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Have you ever seen game? |
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Discussion at a B-School can be defined as a formal discussion involving ten to 12 in.
They are given a topic. After some time, during which they collect their thoughts, is asked to discuss the topic for 20 to 25 minutes.
B-Schools use Discussion process to assess a candidate's personality traits.
Here are some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should possess to do well at a Group Discussion:
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1. Team Player |
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B-Schools lay great emphasis on this parameter because it is essential for managers to be team players.
The reason: Managers always work in teams.
At the beginning of his career, a manager works as a team member. And, later, as a team leader.
Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good managers. |
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2. Reasoning Ability |
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Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions or ideas at Discussion.
For example, an opinion like 'Reduction in IIMs' fees will affect quality' can be better stated by demonstrating your reasoning ability and completing the missing links between fees and quality as:
'Reduction in IIMs' fees will result in less funds being invested on , student exchange programmes, research, student development activities, etc.,
'Moreover, it costs money to attract good faculty, create good infrastructure and upgrade technology.
'With reduction in fees, less money will be available to perform these ,activities which will lead to deterioration in the quality of IIMs.
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3. Leadership |
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There are three types of situations that can arise in a Group Discussion : |
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- Discussion where are unable to establish a proper rapport and do not speak much.
- Discussion where get emotionally charged and Discussion gets chaotic.
- Discussion where discuss the topic assertively by touching on all its nuances and try to reach the objective.
Here, a leader would be someone who facilitates the third situation at Discussion.
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A leader would have the following qualities : |
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- S/he shows direction to whenever group moves away from the topic.
- S/he coordinates the effort of the different team members in Discussion.
- S/he contributes to Discussion at regular intervals with valuable insights.
- S/he also inspires and motivates team members to express their views.
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Caution: Being a mere coordinator in Discussion does not help, because it is a secondary role.
Contribute to Discussion with your ideas and opinions, but also try and steer the conversation towards a goal. |
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4. Flexibility |
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You must be opmen to other ideas as well as to the evaluation of your ideas: That is what flexibility is all about.
But first, remember: Never your Group Discussion with a stand or a conclusion.
Say the topic of Discussion is, 'Should India go to war with Pakistan?
Some tend to get emotionally attached to the topic and take a stand either in favour or against the topic, ie 'Yes, India should', or, 'No, India should not'.
By taking a stand, you have already given your decision without discussing the topic at hand or listening to the views of your team members.
Also, if you encounter an opposition with a very strong point at the 11th hour, you end up in a typical catch-22 situation: |
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- If you change your stand, you are seen as a fickle-minded or a whimsical person.
- If you do not change your stand, you are seen as an inflexible, stubborn and obstinate person.
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5. Assertiveness |
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You must put forth your point to in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner.
often confuse assertiveness with aggressiveness.
Aggressiveness is all about forcing your point on the other person, and can be a threat to . An aggressive person can also demonstrate negative body language, whereas an assertive person displays positive body language. |
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6. Initiative |
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A general trend amongst students is to start Discussion and get the initial kitty of points earmarked for the initiator.
But that is a high risk-high return strategy.
Initiate Discussion only if you are well versed with the topic. If you start and fail to contribute at regular intervals, it gives the impression that you started Discussion just for the sake of the initial points.
Also, if you fumble, stammer or misquote facts, it may work against you.
Remember: You never ever get a second chance to create a first impression. |
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There are different techniques to initiate a Group Discussion and make a good first impression: |
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i. Quotes
ii. Definition
iii. Question
iv. Shock statement
v. Facts, figures and statistics
vi. Short story
vii. General statement |
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7. Creativity/ Out of the box thinking |
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An idea or a perspective which opens new horizons for discussion on Discussion topic is always highly appreciated.
When you put across a new idea convincingly, such that it is discussed at length by , it can only be positive.
You will find yourself in the good books of the examiner. |
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8. Inspiring ability |
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A good group discussion should incorporate views of all the team members.
If some team members want to express their ideas but are not getting the opportunity to do so, giving them an opportunity to express their ideas or opinions will be seen as a positive trait.
Caution: If a participant is not willing to speak, you need not necessarily go out of the way to ask him to express his views. This may insult him and hamper the flow of Discussion. |
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9. Listening |
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Always try and strike a proper balance between expressing your ideas and imbibing ideas. |
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10. Awareness |
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You must be well versed with both the micro and macro environment.
Your awareness about your environment helps a lot in your Group Discussion content, which carries maximum weight-age.
Caution: The content or awareness generally constitutes 40 to 50 percent marks of your Group Discussion.
Apart from these qualities, communication skills, confidence and the ability to think on one's feet are also very important. |
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Best scoring points are:
1. Initiation of discussion,
2.always keeping/trying to keep discussion on track
3. Conclusion on time
4. Your capability to keep your cool and listen as well as putting your points. |
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Summarization Techniques |
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Most Group Discussions do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.
But every Group Discussion is summarized. You can summarize what the group has discussed in the Group Discussion in a nutshell.
Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:
Avoid raising new points.
Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the Group Discussion.
Keep it brief and concise.
It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the Group Discussion.
If the examiner asks you to summarize a Group Discussion, it means the Group Discussion has come to an end. Do not add anything once the Group Discussion has been summarized.
Always be the initiator and concluder of the Group Discussion then being a participant.
But if you are participant always try to be the most key participant.
Put points firmly and always try to get others support too.
if you find that the discussion on going off-track then never lose an opportunity to bring it back to stream this is the best point to score max.
Try to keep latest information on the topic.
Be very polite, people may try to provoke you to get more points but try to keep cool.
Most important don't wait for your turn to speak when discussion is on. Interrupt politely if you want to put forward your points.
Last but not the least keep a tab on the time given for discussion. Score points by wrapping up the discussion if you feel that the discussion is heating but the time is going to be over.
During conclusion, do end with the conclusion note. that shows your leadership quality. |
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