Group Discussion is a discussion by a group of people which involves an exchange of thoughts and ideas. It is largely used by institutes where there is a high level of competition.

Group Discussion, as the most popular, reliable and dominant medium, heads the list among the battery of personality tests used today for selection of candidates and executives for managerial appointments, training, award of scholarships, admission to post graduate or specialized courses, etc.

Group discussion like the interview, is a verbal test and hence can be administered readily and easily. It also has all the advantages of field tests which make it more objective and reliable. It has an added advantage in that the candidate themselves can do a rank-rating which can be compared to the findings of the examiners or observers. No special equipment or materials are required for administering the group discussion test and it can be conducted anywhere, indoors or outdoors, and any time. A group consisting of as many as 12 candidates can be exposed to the test for less than 30 minutes to complete the evaluation. Thus GD is most economical and time saving as well.

A typical GD involves 8 to 12 participants sitting in a circle or semicircle discussing a topic for a stipulated time, usually for 15 to 20 minutes. Most GDs follow one of the three formats: Structured, Unstructured, or Specialized.

1. Regular Structured GDs: Here the time limits and topic is defined. No consensus expected at the end. No leader is to be selected for facilitating the process. These are easier to handle. Topics chosen are usually general and do not require technical knowledge.

2. Unstructured GDs: Choosing a leader is mandatory and the group has to reach a consensus at the end of the GD. The leader has to direct the group, set the tone for discussion and control the dynamics of the group. Things are sometimes made more complicated by asking the group to propose a topic, discuss it and reach a consensus.

3. Specialized GDs: These include role-plays or scripted GDs where the candidates are given a certain brief about a role that they need to play. For example, a business situation where to companies are negotiating a deal may be used. Candidates would be given the profile of the two CEOs, marketing managers, HR managers, advisors, and a neutral entity like a consultant. Alternatively, candidates could be given the role of the five Pandavas and the main Kauravas negotiating the distribution of their kingdom in 20th century setting.

The very concept of Group Discussion suggests coordination and cooperation on the part of all who are expected to work as a team. Equanimity of mind pays. It is easy to lose temper at the flimsiest provocation or the things do not go the way you desire. Any kind of hostile approach by any one of the participants would not only rob the underlying spirit of cooperation but also delay the entire process of discussion. Most of the ordinary people get overjoyed in the flush of success and turn abysmally miserable in the face of failure. Such people do not have the inner stuff that makes leaders. In a group, everyone has to subordinate his ego to the larger objective of working together and accomplishing the job in hand within the time allotted.

Being a verbal test, power of expression counts a great deal for scoring high marks in a GD. Wide general knowledge of the subject would be the next contributory factor for success. One who knows the subject will definitely be able to speak with confidence, interest, inspiration, enthusiasm and authority. Competition within the group will be tough and each candidate will try to impress all others in the group. Hence, there is no bound to be overlapping, confusion, conflict of the interests and confrontation. The candidate who enjoys maximum level of leadership qualities will ultimately emerge as the natural leader. He will motivate others and make the group willingly follow his suggestions.

Success speaks for itself. For a group leader, it hinges, to a large extent, on his ability to deal with the most complex thing- human behavior. Not everybody behaves in the same manner in terms of temperament, sociability and the delicate art of communication. It is here, that the group leader has to raise himself to the stature of the corporate leader whose dexterity in managing people of myriad viewpoints and maintaining a composure makes a mark on others. Like a captain, whose ship has run aground, he has to make systematic and dauntless efforts to make it sail on to its voyage. Apart from other attributes, it is the crisis management which makes him acceptable to all.

Self-confidence, ability to articulate one’s thoughts and power of persuasion are the hallmarks of a leader. Added to it are patience, perseverance, a deep understanding of the working of the human mind and ability to interact with others in the group so that all the members strive towards the same goal. A leader in the Group Discussion should be able to manage the forum and float his views in the most lucid manner. To accomplish these objectives, he needs ample amount of convincing power, mixed with politeness. He should not get perturbed by the harsh arguments of the participants and provide opportunity to every candidate to air his views. Besides, he should also be able to demonstrate his intellectual excellence and leadership quality and utilize it to steer the discussion away from the murky waters. To top it all, one must be able to express his/ her views logically and cogently within the allotted time i.e, two to three minutes.