How to excel in Groups?

How to excel in Group Discussions?

Anubhav Kapoor

Some people have the gift of gab and they feel confident in handling conversations of all types, including Group Discussions.

However, many of us feel challenged in this niche, often finding ourselves clueless about how to emerge as a better speaker, incapable of handling discussions. Group Discussions (GDs) are a bit challenging since they compel every participant to be opinionated, expressive and win the discussion. Group Discussions are becoming increasingly common as entrance exam criteria across premium B schools, employee-hiring tools and a part of the workplace culture. Thus, you need to be familiar with what you can do to excel in Group Discussions:

Grab The Initiative, Bulldozing Your Competition

Initiative here means being the first one to jump into the discussion as soon as the moderator asks the GD to get started. Group Discussions are short, timed events. Individual taking the lead can immediately establish a sense of superiority. Taking initiative also suggests that you are confident about yourself and your perspective. The idea is to emerge as the most convincing speaker in the group and taking the leap can help immensely. You need to be extremely alert during the short period prior to the discussion, mentally listing the points with which you plan to take the lead.

Win The Argument Without Being Argumentative

This might sound confusing but you don’t need to refrain from getting so loud or forceful that it makes you look like a habitual arguer. Group Discussions are aimed at evaluating yours soft skills, convincing ability, self-confidence and the ability to think on your feet. They are not aimed at evaluating your confrontational, verbal capacity. If you find a participant trying to engage you in a meaningless discussion or challenging your viewpoint without any rationale, try to correct his flawed stance in a simple, easy-to-understand manner that exposes the hollowness of his arguments.

Be Precision Personified

You cannot afford to quote various examples and detail instances from the past. You have to be clear-cut in your choice of words. Keep your sentences short, make your point and counter those challenging your perspective quickly without providing an in-depth analysis.

Being Prepared Passively But Effectively

Agreed, studying regularly beyond school seems draining to all of us. You don’t need to study laboriously through the company manuals or subject books to get better at Group Discussions. Merely reading through the newspapers, dailies, magazines or your organization’s newsletters regularly will provide you sufficient fodder for GDs. Think of this as a passive, indirect preparation for Group Discussions that is nothing like a boring, study schedule.

Positivity Matters The Most

A positive body language can help immensely. GDs pack-in the contestants and those exuding self-confidence usually tend to overrule others. Any sign of nervousness can be your undoing here. Even if you don’t have sufficient knowledge to tear through the discussion, use some humor to win a few points. This will make you appear like a confident individual with handy survival tactics. Ensure you are feeling energetic before the GD begins. Grab a bite of something sweet that helps to uplift your mood instantly. (Work Life, MensXP.com)