Are the group members supposed to keep track of the time or will the panel keep track?
It would be good if you are conscious of the time, but not
to the point of getting so distracted looking at your watch that you do not
contribute to the discussion.
Are we allowed to carry a piece of paper during the GD for noting down important points?
Normally you are, but there may be instances when it is
specifically forbidden to carry paper.
Is there any particular seating arrangement, which is favourable to the participants?
If participants are asked to sit in a circle or a semi
circle, one position is as good as another. But if you are asked to sit on
either side of a rectangular table, then choose a position as close to the
centre as
possible.Should we begin the GD by appointing a leader amongst ourselves?
No. You should not. Leadership in a GD is established
implicitly through one's performance in a GD.
Should we distribute the total time available to all the participants to ensure that everybody gets a chance to speak?
Since a GD is not a debate or elocution, the participants
should not resort to the strategy of distributing time amongst themselves.
Can we take a definite stand in the GD and then later on during the GD, switch over to another stand?
Yes, provided you do it the right way. In a GD it is quite
likely that some other participant's counter-argument convinces you to your
point. If this happens, then it is best if you accept his argument and explain
to the group how your previous argument was true within a narrow range, and how
the new argument is applicable to a broader range. Naturally, it is safer not
to make any rash statements for or against a topic before you learn the facts
of the argument. Blindly taking a stand will definitely lead you to trouble.
This does not mean you should sit on the fence. You may participate actively by
pointing out both sides of the issue in a reasonable and logical manner.
If we do not understand the meaning of the topic, should we ask the moderator to explain it to us?
No. You cannot. Instead of displaying your ignorance in this
manner, it is better to wait for some other participant to explain the meaning
of the topic. So listen to the discussion carefully for the first few minutes
and when you have figured out what the topic is about, start participating in
the discussion.
Should we address the other participants by their names or their assigned numbers?
As far as possible, you should try and avoid names or
numbers. It is better to use pronouns such as "he", "she",
"you" etc. while referring to the members of the group.
Are we expected to stick to the normally accepted line of thought or can we come up with something radical?
By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity
and originality. Just make sure it is relevant to the topic.
S.Ganesh,MBA, Phd
HR , Group Discussion Team !
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