Dos and Don'ts in a GD

• Must Speak: The first principle of participating in a group discussion is that you must speak. If you do not understand the topic you may ask the group the meaning or you may wait and listen to someone, which will clarify the topic to you.
• Speaking first: Speaking first is a high risk - high return strategy. You get the undivided attention. So, if you talk sense you get the credit, else, your shortcomings would become prominent and you might be marked as someone who speaks without thinking. First speaker is expected to provide direction to the GD. Properly done, he/she automatically becomes the leader of the group and his/her opening idea remains alive throughout the GD.
• Enteringintodiscussion: [a] During the troughs when the discussion is on its low. However do not wait for the time. It may not come. [b] You may speak just after someone has finished, but risk is there that you may lose the opportunity. [c] You could enter by making a supportive statement [d] Or by increasing your voice.
• Avoid repetition: Do not repeat any point,atleast present it in a different way. Agree with the point made by your colleague and add on it by displaying the applicability of the argument to different situations,thereby broadening the scope of the argument.
• Active listening: Be an active listener. You might just strike a new point, taking cue from the listeners. It will also help you understand the topic clearly in case you are ignorant of the same. It would help you could take the discussion forward, taking on from where another participant has left off.
• Do not be aggressive in the discussion. Instead be objective, persuasive and assertive on your points.
• Make friends: Arrive early for the GD interview. Use that time effectively. Learn about your group, talk to them - this will make you have a good friendly foundation with them. This will make it easy for you to talk in the discussion.
• Listen to others: You could support others too, but when you say that you agree, also try to add value by adding points of your own that extend the argument.
• Body language: Appear friendly and not intimidating. Try smiling. Use of proper body language is an advantage. Some of the ways in which you could use your body effectively are: [1] Keep your body upright and lean forward while speaking or listening. This will show your sustained interest in the GD. [2] If you agree with somebody, nod your head, so that the speaker realises that you understand him. [3] Do not rest your hand on your knee. It communicates a lack of interest in the GD. [4] Do not sit cross legged during a discussion. It is for relaxation and not good for comptetive situations. [5] Do not point out your finger or pen at a person aggressively. These are intimidatory tactics and will be recognized as such. [6] Use your hands effectively to emphasize your statements and to persuade others to listen to you. Don’t gesture wildly, use hands as a means of communication.
• Speak clearly, speak sense and also let others speak: Your voice should be audible and clear. Your contribution should be relevant and made at the appropriate time. Listen to others but you should also speak out your points. Quality of your content is important, even more important than the time you have spent talking. Make the discussion meaningful by carrying the discussion forward and ensure that contribution made adds substance and content.
• Influencing the discussion: You can influence a group by providing it direction, highlighting the crucial issues and putting forth persuasive arguments.
• Examples and Statistics: Try introducing new points, statistics or other information on the topic. You can give examples to illustrate clearly certain aspects. But make sure what you are quoting is correct.
• Ensure that all of you are not going off at a tangent in your discussion.
• Do not take turns: Speaking in turns hinders free flowing discussions. So let it take its natural way.
• Summarize if time permits or if you are asked to. Include main points discussed, your view points and if a consensus was not achieved say so. Do not force a consensus, if it has not been achieved.