MASTERING GD

1. MASTERING GD Dr. S.S.Limaye Professor(ETC)

2. Why GD? • Want to know how you behave in a group because work is a collaborative group activity • Following skills tested • Communication skills • Interpersonal skills • Leadership skills • Team building skills • Analytical/Logical thinking skills • Reasoning ability • Different thinking • Assertiveness and flexibility

3. GD topics • Current Affairs, e.g. • Should voters be given a NOTA (None Of The Above) choice • Educational qualification for Politicians • Will “Make in India” succeed? • Way to remove poverty is technological innovations • Abstract topics. They test your lateral thinking. • A is an alphabet • The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. • Law is the creation of the strong to rule the weak • Case based topic. This is very common for business schools. Here a case involving a situation is given.

4. GD Preparation 1. Current Affairs For this, read newspapers regularly and watch news on the television. Understand the recent crises that the world is reeling under, the latest developmental initiatives, the ties between various countries and the like.  2. Historical topics National and international history. but having historical information will help you cite examples and make references whenever needed.  2. Sports, Arts & Literature  What is popular, who are the leaders in each area, the latest that has happened in these areas. 3. Data crunching Important statistical data, i.e. socio economic statistics. Throwing in some data if required in your GD will definitely create an impression among the assessors.

5. General • Body language- Straight comfortable posture, formal dress, eye contact with all, free hand gestures, no finger pointing, nod your head • Voice – Loud and clear, cheerful, Be assertive yet humble. Do not get excited or aggressive during the discussion. Try to maintain a balanced tone throughout. • Conversation- Do not cut other’s speech (normally). Enter conversation smoothly. You need to stick to your values and beliefs, but learn to respect the values and opinions of others too. Use easy English but adorn your speech with idioms and phrases and famous quotations. • Grab the opportunity to speak first, if you have complete knowledge of the subject. Otherwise keep listening and enter with “I agree with you Mr XXX,...”.

6. General tips contd • Listening - When others speak, take notes, also keep nodding your head either in agreement or disagreement. Keep muttering phrases like, how true, yes indeed, I agree. • Leadership – invite silent members into discussion (after you had due chance). Interrupt a member going astray or engaging a long monologue. Complain about bad manners. • When raising an objection to a point made by another speaker, back it up with a solid reason to get the point across.  • Use quotes, facts and figures, statements, everyday life examples to express a clear chain of thoughts. Also it might leave a good impression on the examiner and help you score well. 

7. Starting a GD • Best chance of winning. Double edged sword. • Types of starting • Quotes from famous people-If we are discussing a topic like 'Customer is King,' one can quote Sam Walton's famous saying, "There is only one boss:  The Customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the Chairman to janitor, simply by spending his money somewhere else.“ • Definition- We can start by defining the topic in precise words. For example, if the topic is, 'Advertising is a diplomatic way of telling a lie,' we can define advertising as 'Any paid form of presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services through mass media.’ Then let the discussion evolve around it.

8. More starters • Question- We can start by asking a question. If the GD topic is 'Should India go to war with Pakistan', you could start by asking, 'What does war bring to the people of a nation?' • Make a shocking statement-If you have done your stat and current affairs properly, you can always come out with an ace. e.g. if we are discussing 'Impact of population on the Indian economy,' we can start by saying, 'Near the centre of the Indian capital stands a population clock that relentlessly ticks away. It tracks 33 births a minute, 2,000 an hour, 48,000 a day, which calculates to nearly 12 million every year. That is roughly the population of Australia.’

9. More starters • Facts and figures- Again you have to be master of stats for this. If we are discussing ‘How to raise Indian per capita income’, you can start by saying that 60 % of Indian population is engaged in primary sector like agriculture and contributes to only 23% of GDP, while 11% population is engaged in secondary sector, i.e. manufacturing and contributes to 26% of GDP. Best of all, only 24% population is engaged in tertiary i.e. services sector and contribute a whopping 51% of GDP. So the way to increase income is to move people from primary to secondary and secondary sectors by proper education. You need not be very accurate while quoting macro figures.

10. General • Comes to rescue when a better opening is not available • General statement- This is a good ployif you are not very sure of the subject. For example, if the topic is 'Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India?' you could start by saying, "Friends, before jumping to any conclusion, let us first find out what qualities a good prime minister should possess. We can then compare these with the qualities possessed by Sonia Gandhi. This will help us reach a conclusion in a more objective and effective manner.‘ • You can start with a totally general statement like: • “Friends, today we are here to discuss…”, • “The goal of our discussion today is”, • “In today’s world we cannot ignore...”

11. Summarization • If you have not initiated the GD, don’t lose heart. Only one out of 12 can be the initiator. There will be plenty of opportunities later. As Robert Ludlum says in “Bourne Identity”, “opportunities will present themselves, recognize them, utilize them”. • Summarization can be as effective as initiation because the evaluators tend to remember the beginning and the end more than the mid level discussion. Unfortunately most discussions end without a summary or conclusion. In some formats the refree asks one candidate to summarize. Sometimes a team becomes all out in 15 overs. Grab this opportunity. Tell what the group discussed in a nutshell.

12. Summary points • points should be kept in mind while summarising a discussion: 1. No new point should be taken up. 2. A person should not share his or her own viewpoint alone. 3. A summary should not dwell only on one side of the GD. 4. It should be brief and concise. 5. It should incorporate all the important points spoken.

13. A suggested format for a summary Well friends, we had a healthy discussion and, as a group, evaluated this topic from different perspectives with everyone participating enthusiastically. Some of my friends spoke in favour of the topic and the reasons they gave were (...elaborate), while some good points against the topic were (...elaborate). Finally the group came to the conclusion that (... elaborate).

14. Making a mid level entry • Every GD has its highs and lows. Try to enter a GD during low times. • Try to enter after a participant has made his point but intervene immediately, before someone else does. Do not cut a speaker unless he has gone completely off the track or he is chattering endlessly without content. Speak with a loud voice that will pre-empt the other speakers. Some useful phrases for entry are: “I agree with you Mr XXX and would like to add that ...” If your point is appreciative, you build a team of allies. You can make a contradictory entry also. “While you say that ... but my personal experience is quite opposite.” “I agree that your methodology will work in developed countries but it will need some modification as applied to India.” “I am afraid you have not considered the fact that ... while reaching the conclusion.”

15. Mid level entry contd. 3. If the GD is going off the track, you can bring it back by intervention and putting forth your point. “Sorry to interrupt you, but ....”. This exhibits leadership skills. 4. Good speakers always invite opinions of others. Grab these opportunities. In the next part I am going to list useful phrases for entering the discussion and keep it going.

16. When you don’t know the subject. 1. You can make general statement or a definition type opening and immediately invite the opinion of other participants. 2. Listen carefully, make notes. If your background work is good, you will build logical links and intervene at appropriate point with either agreement or contradiction. 3. Open up a new angle. 4. Rephrase when you feel that things that someone said could be better explained. “In other words, what you mean is ...”.

17. Displaying leadership qualities Let us recapitulate how to exhibit leadership qualities. 1. Initiating the discussion. 2. Drawing mute members into discussion by asking their views. 3. Bringing the discussion on track when it goes astray. 4. Politely reprimanding rude behaviour. 5. Summarizing

18. Useful phrases for participating in a discussion • It is important that you participate in the discussion at periodic intervals throughout the duration. 1. Strongly agreeing with an opinion • I quite agree with you my friend. • I agree completely/entirely. • I couldn’t agree (with you) more. • I feel the same way and I would further add that .... • That’s true/right. • That’s just it. Quite/Exactly/Precisely/Right/Certainly/Definitely.

19. Strong agreement • You’re quite/so right. • I think so, too. • I don’t think so either. • You’ve got a good point there. • Marvelous. That’s exactly what I mean/say. • Yes, that’s obvious. • That’s exactly how I see it. • That’s what I think. How very true. • So do I/So am I. • Yes, indeed! I’m all in favor of what you’ve been saying. • OK. That makes sense.

20. Partial agreement • Yes, perhaps, but .... • Yes, possibly, although .... • Yes, but on the other hand .... • Yes, up to a point. • I agree up to a certain point, but .... • Yes, in a way. • Maybe, I suppose so. • Well, it depends. • I don’t think it’s as simple as that ..... • I see what you mean, but I think that’s not the whole story. • You may be right there. • Yes, but there’s also another aspect to consider

21. Mild disagreement • I disagree (with you), I’m afraid. • No, I really can’t agree, I’m afraid. • I don’t quite agree there. • I can’t quite support your point of view. • I’m not so certain/at all sure if that’s true/correct • I’m not (quite) so sure (really). • I’m sorry I can’t agree. • Do you really think so/believe that? • I’m not convinced that .... • Well, that’s one way of looking at it, (but) • Well, I have my doubts about that.

22. More mild disagreement • You can’t really mean that. • You don’t really mean that, do you? • I wouldn’t say so. • I don’t think so. • I don’t think you’re right/that’s right. • Surely you don’t mean that? • I don’t want to argue with you, but .... • I can’t go all the way with you on that point. • Are you seriously suggesting that ...? • I have my problems with what you’re saying.

23. Strong disagreement • I doubt that very much. • I think you got that wrong. • On the contrary! That doesn’t convince me at all. • You’re contradicting yourself. • I’ve never heard of such a thing. • You’re wrong, you know. • You can’t be serious! • Surely you’re not serious, are you? • Oh, come on, you must be joking/kidding! • It’s not like that at all! • That’s not correct. • I’m afraid, I don’t think you quite understand. • I don’t think so, really! • That’s not fair!

24. More strong disagreement • I can’t believe that. • Do you really think that’s a good idea? • I’m afraid, I can’t agree with you there. • Really? That’s (simply) not true! • I doubt it/that very much. • Oh, come on, think about what you’ve just said! • I’ve got my doubts about that. • I don’t agree with you at all. • That’s not how I see it. It’s not as simple as that! • That’s no excuse • I believe you’re mistaken. • That doesn’t make sense to me. • Let’s be sensible about this. • Well that’s one way of looking at it, but…

25. Rude disagreement which should be avoided • Don’t you dare say so! • Rubbish! • Bloody hell, no! • Shame on you! • You’re pulling my leg! • That’s out of the question. • Don’t be silly/stupid! • How stupid can you get? • What a silly/stupid thing to say! • You’re hopeless/wrong. • You won’t listen to reason • I’m not impressed For heaven’s sake!

26. Asking for an opinion • Could you tell me ....? • What do you think about/of ....? • What’s your opinion about ...? • Do you think/feel ....? • How do you feel about ....? • May I ask you ....? • Do you see what I mean? • Isn’t that right? • With your vast experience on this matter, I am sure you could elaborate it further. • What is your opinion, Mr. XXX? • Do you agree with Mr. XXX’s opinion, Ms. YYY? • Mr. XXX is eagerly waiting to express his views. Let us hear him out.

27. Responding to opinion request • In my opinion/view .... • If you ask me .... • As far as I can see/I’m concerned .... • It seems to me that .... • I have the/a feeling that .... • I think/feel/reckon/believe .... • Well, I’d say .... • If you want my opinion .... • You can take it from me that .... • First of all/To start with I’d like to point out ... • What we have to decide is ....

28. More responses • There can be no doubt that .... • It’s a fact that .... • Nobody will deny that .... • The way as I see it. • Everyone knows .... • Let me put it in another way .... • Let’s get this clear (first) .... • The point I’m trying to make is .... • Personally (speaking) I think .... • I’m absolutely convinced that ....

29. Asking for an explanation • Could you explain to me ....? • Could someone please tell me ....? • Just tell me the reason why ....? • I don’t really understand ....? • I just don’t see why/what/how .... • Are you saying that ....? • What do you mean by that? I beg your pardon? • I didn’t quite get that. • Excuse me, did you say that ....? • Would you mind explaining that a little more, please?

30. Giving an explanation • Look, it’s like this. • What I mean is .... • The reason for this is .... • The main problem is .... • Just let me explain .... • Well, the reason is .... • Well, the thing is .... • Above all we must keep in mind that ....

31. Making a complaint • I’m sorry I have to say this, but .... • Forgive me for mentioning it, but .... • That’s what I want to know. • Do you realize that ....? • Are you aware that ....? • I’m disappointed to hear that. • What are you going to do about it? • Something ought to be done about it. • Look, I really must protest about .... • Can’t something be done to/about ....

32. Reacting to a complaint • I’m (awfully) sorry to hear that. • I really must apologize for this. • Sorry I got carried away by emotion. • Well, there’s nothing we can do about that, I’m afraid. • This isn’t my fault, you know. • What do you expect us/me to do? • I’m sorry you should take it that way. • I'll see what I can do.

33. Making suggestions and steering to a new direction • We have hitherto neglected one important aspect ... • Let us consider that... • How about… • I would like to add something here. • I have a point to make.

34. Interrupting • Normally it is bad manners to interrupt another candidate but sometimes it becomes necessary to interrupt in the interest of the group. It is a double edged sword, so do this with caution • Such situations are: • when he is impolite or rude, • he is spending too much time without adding anything new or he is going away from the topic. • You can say, “Sorry to interrupt you but...”, • “I am afraid I have to interrupt you.” • “You have made your point. Now let others make theirs.”

35. Fish market situation • Time is limited and everyone is eager to score. Also everyone is well prepared. So it often happens that all start speaking simultaneously and create a fish market like situation. We have seen this in Arnab Goswami’s show. Such situation is difficult to handle. In such situation, don’t add to the noise by raising your voice and pushing your point. Instead, try to act as a mediator. “Well friends, if everyone talks at the same time, no one will be heard. Let us take turns, beginning with you Mr XXX”.

36. Fish market contd • If that does not reduce the din, then bang the table 3 times, or clap with your hands 3 times and with each clap, say • “Friends, friends, friends- this way our entire group will be eliminated...”. Try to get agreement from 2 or 3 members with eye contact who feel the same way. They will come out in your support and defence. Mr. XXX will certainly do and hand the ball to you in the next pass. • You may not succeed even with this but remember that the evaluator is watching. If he sees you making a sincere attempt to restore order, he will give you the points.

37. THANKS FOR PATIENT LISTENING • HOPE YOU ENJOYED