People have certain perceptions about effective and impressive Group Discussions. Given below are some hypothetical situations.

Situation 1
The discussion has picked up momentum. Everybody is contributing and putting forward their points. One member, comparatively timid in nature, has been trying to get a word in, but has not been successful so far. He starts speaking, but his voice gets drowned. Can you do something? Without sounding patronising, bring him forward and invite him to share his point of view. Use encouraging language to help him open up, but be genuine about it. You have just shown that you value the team.

Situation 2
The discussion has just started. You make, what you think is a "fundu" point. It goes unacknowledged and ignored. Don't sulk and hold on to your "fundu" point. It will block your mind and prevent you from registering what others say. Participants in this situation, end up waiting for opportunities to raise the same point again and again. In the process, they are unable to come up with any new idea. There may be merit in trying to repeat the point once, but flogging the same horse again and again is not going to take you anywhere. Learn to let go.

Situation 3
The topic is to your liking and you feel you have a lot to say. But your point of view is very effectively rebutted by another participant. This irks you no end. Instead of progressing with the discussion, you start looking for an opportunity to do the same to that participant. You will lose focus and direct your energies in trying to negate or counter his or her argument. In the process, the negative vibes will be obvious to all around you, including the recruiter.

Situation 4
You are an aggressive person by nature. In most gatherings, you have the ability of getting a significant share of voice and putting across your point of view. The group discussion is no different. You are speaking a lot and dominating the discussion. But are you being heard?
Aggression makes other participants feel threatened, so they block you off. Even valid contributions from you don't get acknowledged. The others just wait for you to finish and then carry on their discussion. Further, the desire to dominate and speak a lot, will prevent you from thinking in new directions and bringing up new thoughts. Let the strength of your thought make a mark.

Situation 5
You are in the same GD as another acquaintance or batchmate you dislike or have had a tiff with on an earlier occasion. In fact, a majority of you in the group dislike or have a bias against the person. The discussion starts, but what most, if not all of you, end up doing is, showing your dislike about the person. Without realising, you start passing caustic and sarcastic remarks aimed at him. The person conducting the GD can see through the picture and gauge what's happening. In general, sympathies always flow to the under- dog. So such behaviour is certain to do you more harm than good.