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Mastering Group Discussions

Getting mentally prepared for the different scenarios that may arise during a Group Discussion (GD) is absolutely vital to ensure that you perform your best.

Author: Peter Devis

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Preparation for a GD cannot be achieved overnight. It is critical that you stay abreast of all the day-to-day occurrences in the world and know something about everything from genetics to sports, politics and art.

• Build a Rapport with Group Members
Get a quick understanding of the seating arrangement and the names of the participants in your group. Speak to them briefly and figure out what kind of people they are. Addressing your fellow participants by their names helps to build a rapport with them and will gradually help you assume the mantle of the leader. You are all shaping up to be managers one day, during the course of which interacting with people from different backgrounds is inevitable. Never volunteer for the leader's position if your group is asked to choose a leader from within. In case you volunteer leadership and then unable to navigate the discussion effectively, it will reflect negatively upon you. A natural leader automatically establishes his/her supremacy.

• Set your objectives for discussion
Ideally, try to be the one to start a conversation to avoid being among those who follow the leader. It could influence your rating very positively, given the fact that it takes time for most people to gather and organize their thoughts and decide to express it. Pen down 2 or 3 open-ended questions which will enthuse fellow members to express their own opinions. Do not exaggerate or emphasize your expertise on the topic (even if you are an expert). Clearly think through what your objectives for the GD are.

• Practice the art of listening
GDs call for a combination of active and reflective listening. Restate or paraphrase comments from time to time to show fellow participants that you are listening. While restating, make sure you use their exact words, do not change their comments to a particular point.

If a participant asks you a question and you cannot answer, check to be sure you understand the point before you answer. If a participant brings up a point again, acknowledge it the second time ("Yes, we heard you said that…"). If a participant makes an irrelevant point try and integrate it into the topic if possible and restate the intended subject of the discussion before you go ahead. If a participant seems to speak up too often for others to talk, try and pick up someone who wants to make a point but is shy to make his way through.

• Summarizing the discussion
At the completion of a GD, be sure you initiate a summary of the major findings and consensus.. Your ability to lead a group without being overly aggressive but assertive, incorporating all the participants' views to reach a consensus and one-to-one rapport with almost all the participants will help you surmount a highly competitive GD with relative ease.

About Author

Author refers IMS India the best coaching institute/classes for CAT in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi which offers courses for online CAT preparation, CAT study material and guidance for cat GD/PI preparation.

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