Group Discussion: A forum to show case your personality


If there is one single intervention that could tell who you are to the outsiders, perhaps it is the group discussion.  This process is inescapable in any selection/admission process.  To have to work in teams is the quintessential requirement of company assignments or business positions. Many a personality traits come into play in a group discussion scenario. Our personality dynamics take an altogether different mould when we deal with a group of people. In a one to one interaction, you could predict at least a couple of things and plan your move in advance. But, facing a group of people with diverse views and making an impact is no easy. You have to evolve and emerge.



What do others look for in a GD?
  • How good and deep you are in a given area of discussion? Are you able to move up the level with fresh thoughts and value addition?
  •  Do you have the innate quality working in a group?  Are you flexible with opposing views?
  • How good and empowering you are in communicating your views? Can you make it more conversational and accommodative and keep it going forward?
  • Are you the type  who yields  and keeps nodding and does nothing on his own?
  • When the discussion gets tricky and technical, can you follow it and contribute?
  •  Do you show signs of problem solving capabilities?  How creative and thoughtful you are?
  • Are you stubborn and not willing to go with the majority for a larger cause?
  • When it matters most, are you able to put your foot down firm and support the right cause?
  •  How good you are as a listener? This is of all  the key trait the recruiters look for.
  • Are you the leader or the follower or the who is confused between these two?
  • How do you communicate non-verbally?  Is there a link between what you say and what you signal through body language?
Dr. N  Jayarama Shetty,  Ph.D, M.Com, MBA, MA( Psy), LL B, CAIIB, D. TD, PG. DHRM, PG. DMM, Pragya,  Visiting Professor, Nitte School of Management, Bengaluru

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