SMART SKILLS
GD tests gift of the gab, not grab
Usha Albuquerque

SWATI did brilliantly in the written test of the MBA admission and was called for the interview and group discussion (GD). She had prepared quite well for this part of the admission process, but when she actually sat with five other candidates for the GD, she could barely speak. And, as she ruefully admitted later, she did not make it.

An important part of any MBA admission or even a junior-level job application is the group discussion. It is one way by which interviewers and employers can evaluate a candidate's ability to handle assignments requiring a variety of group skills. Management, as the term suggests, is about handling people and resources, and those entering this field need to possess the necessary skills to do so.

Most GDs cover one topic that the candidates need to debate. They can be controversial topics which permit of more than one point of view and encourage debate and argument, or a case study type of discussion. The latter is used mainly at the IIM, Ahmedabad, and covers a situation or problem faced by an organisation and requires candidates to suggest and discuss a possible course of action. Controversial topics can include current affairs, business or social issues such as - should women be given 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha; should Public Sector Undertakings be privatised; or is the objective of education learning or jobs? — all of which lend themselves to a vigorous debate.

Show your creativity

Sometimes an abstract subject can also be the topic for discussion where the creative interpretation of the subject is what the examiners are looking for. Topics such as 'God's own country', 'Water, water everywhere' may not offer an opportunity to present different points of view, but can be discussed in other creative ways.

Whatever be the topic, what the evaluators are looking for is: Knowledge not just of the topic under discussion, but of subjects around the main topic. What you say is as important as how you say it. It is necessary to be well read and aware of happenings around you. Improve your knowledge base by reading at least two daily newspapers, one financial newspaper, at least one current affairs newsmagazine, and keep abreast of what is happening in the current political, social and economic fronts. There is no substitute to the depth of knowledge on the issue being discussed.

Logical and analytical skills: How well have you understood the subject, and whether you are able to debate the different points of view and present a logically thought out analysis of your stand on the subject. You do not need to assemble and structure all your thoughts simultaneously. Express one point at a time, and jot down other thoughts that come to you in the course of the discussion, particularly when other participants say something that stirs a new thought in your mind.

Communication skills: How well do you structure your thoughts and ideas and present your point of view. This means good articulation and command of language.

Inter-personal skills:This is probably the most important skills the evaluators look for. You are being watched for your ability in handling people as well as your leadership qualities. You should be able to lead a discussion without monopolising it, include others in the discussion, and carry them with you.

Saying something better than nothing

So, what must you do to maximise your chances at a GD?

There are many people like Swati, otherwise a talkative person, who clamp up in a GD. Even if you are afraid of expressing yourself among a group of people you have never met before, you must speak. It is better to risk creating an undesirable impression, than not talking at all.

It’s quality over quantity

Secondly, what you say must make sense. Evaluators are not looking for candidates who speak a lot, but those who speak intelligently - even if it is just one sentence. It is useful to think over the topic at the start of the discussion, jot down some points on the argument both for and against, and then begin to speak. It is advisable to use a framework which gives a direction to the discussion. Try to add new perspectives and dimensions to the debate that others may have not thought of.

You need to listen too

You also need to listen. Very often in a GD group everyone is so busy trying to speak forcefully over the heads of others, that they forget to listen, and lose sight of what others are saying. Effective communication involves getting information as much as it requires giving information. So, listen carefully to others' arguments, sift out the thought processes of the arguments and then speak. Try to get others around to your point of view and build a consensus.

Be assertive, not aggressive

You can be assertive even while you are listening and digesting information. Many candidates believe that to get their point across they need to be aggressive, speak loudly and dominate the conversation. You will lose points if you are aggressive. Remember, you can win over people by staying calm, speaking confidently and not antagonising others. Intervene in the discussion when you get the opportunity, without interrupting others. You have to find a way into the discussion while at the same time giving others a chance to speak.

Involve others

Those who can set the agenda for the discussion at the beginning, and give it some direction along the way are generally the candidates that get noticed. However, a poor start can also create a negative impression at the beginning, which often carries through the whole GD. So only take the lead when you are confident of being effective. If you can, also bring up new ways of thinking, steer the discussion along and bring it back on track when it gets sidelined, you can expect to score well. Involve and address all the group members in the discussion, and look at everyone while talking. This keeps them focussed towards you, and displays your leadership qualities.

Body language matters

Be creative and open to ideas that may look or sound absurd, but are connected to the topic being discussed. Evaluators are looking for those who can articulate unconventional ideas and logically follow them through. Lateral and divergent thinking gets attention.

While evaluators mostly look for content rather than language, good command over the language will give you an advantage over others. However, slang or colloquial expressions should be avoided unless it is important to the discussion. Language used should be simple, direct and straightforward. Body language should also convey interest and involvement in the topic without giving the impression that you are waiting to pounce on the other participants.

Thorough preparation is the only way to crack the GD. Put together a few sample topics, collect all the necessary information, and then conduct a few mock GD sessions with your friends in college or at work. If possible, get teachers or elders to listen in and give their comments. General discussions and debates with family and friends can also be an occasion to hone your debating skills, by sharpening your ability to structure your thoughts and express them quickly.

Remember, the GD will include others as good and as competent as you are, so you need to be one step ahead to win the race.

The writer is a noted career consultant