Group discussion — dos and don'ts.

Dos and Don’ts for Group Discussion

• Take time to organise your thoughts before you speak.
• Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
• Don’t start speaking until you have clearly understood and analysed the subject.
• Work out strategies to make an entry — initiate the discussion, or agree with someone else’s point and build from there.
• Opening the discussion isn’t the only way to gain recognition. If you don’t add valuable insight through the discussion, opening it counts for little.
• Your body language says a lot about you — gestures and mannerisms often reflect your attitude more than what you say.
• Language skills matter only insofar as they help you get your points across clearly and fluently.
• Be assertive, not dominating; maintain eye contact with all group members and a balanced tone throughout.
• Put points firmly, and try to bring others’ support behind them too.
• Don’t wait for a formal turn to speak — interrupt politely when you have something to add.
• Don’t lose your cool if someone says something you object to. Stay objective and don’t take the discussion personally.
• Stay polite — avoid phrases like “I strongly object” in favour of “I’d like to share a different view on that…”
• If the discussion drifts off-track, bring it back — this is one of the best ways to stand out.
• Bring out your leadership skills by drawing quieter members into the conversation, subtly, and by listening as much as speaking.
• Practising a mock GD with friends, giving and receiving feedback, is one of the best ways to prepare.

Best Scoring Points

• Initiating the discussion well.
• Keeping (or bringing back) the discussion on track.
• Concluding on time.
• Staying composed while listening and putting your own points across.

Be a Leader

A GD is ultimately a search for team players with leadership potential and communication ability. Beyond the points above, panels also assess alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving ability, the capacity to work as a team without alienating members, and creativity.