Have you ever seen a football game? Or been a part of a football team?

These questions might seem awkward and absurd when talking about how to crack a group discussion. But they are relevant to understand the nuances of a GD.

Here are some of the most important personality traits a candidate should possess to do well at a GD:

Team player: B-Schools lay great emphasis on this parameter because it is essential for managers to be team players. The reason: Managers always work in teams.

At the beginning of his career, a manager works as a team member. And, later, as a team leader. Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good managers.

Reasoning ability: Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions or ideas at a GD. For example, an opinion like ‘Reduction in fees will affect quality’ can be better stated by demonstrating your reasoning ability and completing the missing links between fees and quality.

Leadership: There are three types of situations that can arise in a GD:

• A GD where participants are unable to establish a proper rapport and do not speak much.

• A GD where participants get emotionally charged and the GD gets chaotic.

• A GD where participants discuss the topic assertively by touching on all its nuances and try to reach the objective.

Here, a leader would be someone who facilitates the third situation at a GD.

Flexibility:You must be open to other ideas as well as to the evaluation of your ideas: That is what flexibility is all about. But first, remember: Never ever start your GD with a stand or a conclusion. If you encounter an opposition with a very strong point at the 11th hour, you end up in a typical catch-22 situation:

• If you change your stand, you are seen as a fickle-minded or a whimsical person.

• If you do not change your stand, you are seen as inflexible, stubborn and obstinate.

Assertiveness: You must put forth your point to the group in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner. Participants often confuse assertiveness with aggressiveness. Aggressiveness is all about forcing your point on the other person.

Initiative: Initiate a GD only if you are well versed with the topic. If you start and fail to contribute at regular intervals, it gives the impression that you started the GD just for the sake of the initial points.

Creativity: An idea which opens new horizons for discussion on the GD topic is always highly appreciated.

Inspiring ability: A good GD should incorporate views of all the team members. If some members want to express their ideas but are not getting the opportunity to do so, they should

be given a chance.

Listening: Always try and strike a proper balance between expressing your ideas and imbibing ideas.