Assignment

Week-1
MSQ

1. From the list of people below, identify the ones with Soft Skills.

• Priya displays confidence in her abilities, enthusiastically taking on new

challenges and inspiring her team to believe in their collective success.

• Aarush consistently interrupts others during conversations, displaying a lack of

courtesy.

• Ananya showcases flexibility by adapting to changes in project requirements

and incorporating feedback from her superior.

• Amrita frequently talks loudly on her phone in public spaces, disregarding those

around her.

• Rohit is known for his friendliness and approachability, creating a welcoming

atmosphere where the team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas

and concerns.

• Rajesh displays high emotional intelligence by understanding and

empathising with the feelings of others, creating a positive and supportive

environment.

(People with soft skills usually believe in themselves but are also flexible about their opinions

as they accept constructive criticism. Further, they are cordial and supportive as they

empathise with others. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)

2. Identify the real benefits of learning Soft Skills from the options below.
 • Soft Skills play a significant role in helping individuals achieve professional

excellence.

• Learning Soft Skills does not have any benefits.

• Along with technical competence, one’s personality and Soft Skills contribute

significantly to being a good team player.

• If you learn Soft Skills, you can easily impress and cheat people for money.

• The only purpose of learning Soft Skills and obtaining a certificate is because it

can be added to one’s CV.

• Soft Skills can be used effectively to manipulate and misguide people.

(Soft skills are important because a person with good soft skills naturally possesses a pleasant

personality with whom others want to collaborate and engage; this sense of comradeship will

help with professional and personal achievements. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)

3. Raghav was in his school, and he was constantly asking his father to buy him a new

phone so that he could watch lectures online. His father, being a humble farmer,

gradually saved some money and bought a phone for Raghav. After a few weeks,

Raghav started using his phone to play games, use Instagram, and always talk to his

friends. Slowly, as his screen time increased, his conversation and involvement with

his family members decreased. As a student who has completed the first week of the

course “Enhancing Soft Skills and Personality,” what suggestions would you give him

to get out of the mobile phone addiction and regain the art of communication?

• Prioritise caring for your family by actively engaging in face-to-face

conversations, shared meals, and quality time together.

• Instead of playing the same old games, download new games and explore the

variety of available options.

 • It is better to buy a flagship phone with top specifications on your own money, so

you don’t have to obey your parents.

• Stop talking to parents, move out of the home, and stay with friends who are

supportive of using mobile phones all the time.

• Make it a point to let the parents know that it’s your life and that whatever you do

is your decision, not theirs.

• Set limits on mobile usage during family time; this will create more

intentional conversations and help regain genuine connections.

(Since technology in modern times is addictive, it is important to have face-to-face

conversations with family and friends instead of merely texting. Further, as people use

phones mindlessly, intentional and time-restricted usage of mobile phones will help improve

communication with others. Refer to Lecture 2.)

4. What are the five cardinal principles of Soft Skills and Personality Development?

• Planning

• Preparedness

• Persuasiveness

• Presentability

• Playfulness

• Perseverance

(The five cardinal principles of Soft Skills and Personality Development are planning,

preparedness, persuasiveness, presentability, and perseverance. These five principles are

essential to the development of one’s personality. Refer to Lecture 2)

5. Punith and Muthu were close hostel friends. When they went to have dinner in their

canteen, they saw a half-filled glass on the table and started engaging in a lively
 debate. Punith was upset and disappointed at the unfulfilled portion as he noticed the

glass was half empty. But Muthu was happy because the glass was half full instead of

being entirely empty. What does this situation talk about the mindset of Punith and

Muthu?

• Punith expresses a negative attitude and has a Fixed Mindset.

• Muthu expresses a negative attitude and has a Fixed Mindset.

• Punith has a positive attitude and a Growth Mindset.

• Muthu has succumbed to the stereotypes of society.

• Punith has overcome the stereotypes of society.

• Muthu has a positive attitude and a Growth Mindset.

(A growth Mindset is a positive attitude that usually approaches the world with gratefulness

and optimism, while a Fixed Mindset is filled with negative emotions and a pessimistic

outlook towards the world. Refer to Lecture 3)

6. From the list of people below, identify those with Fixed Mindsets.

• Abdul maintains an optimistic outlook during hard times, seeing challenges as

opportunities for personal and professional growth.

• Advika embraces a learning mindset despite facing a setback, eagerly seeking new

skills and knowledge to navigate difficult situations.

• Abhimanyu is very resilient as he continuously pushes himself out of his comfort

zone to discover fresh perspectives and solutions.

• Bhavna usually avoids challenges and constantly chooses familiar tasks, as

she is reluctant to step out of her comfort zone and explore new opportunities

for growth.
 • Aadhi always resists changes in his life and feels uneasy and frustrated when

faced with alterations.

• Brinda never accepts criticism and always becomes defensive rather than

embracing constructive feedback as a tool for personal development.

(Bhavna, Aadhi, and Brinda are associated with the Fixed Mindset because they are not

flexible and resist new changes. Further, staying in their comfort zone and not accepting any

feedback from others also indicates that these characters possess rigid mentalities. All these

three people are not ready to grow, which is a perfect indicator of Fixed Mindset. Refer to

Lecture 3.)

7. Consider that you are invited to deliver a guest lecture on Growth Mindset. Assume

that after your lecture, one of the students asked you to tell a few points to develop a

Growth Mindset. What would be your answers?

• Believe that intellect can be grown with regular practice, put in some extra

effort, and work hard to learn the subject you think is difficult to master.

• Perceive that challenges are because of your inability to handle a situation and,

hence, stop getting out of your comfort zone.

• Always be ready to take risks instead of trying to feel safe in your familiar

surroundings.

• Rather than embracing effort and learning from mistakes, you must believe that

intelligence is fixed and unchangeable.

• In case of criticism, never accept it and always retaliate because criticisms are

always given by people who are jealous of your growth.

 • If you are faced with failure, instead of thinking of it as the end of your

journey, consider it a learning experience and try again until you reach the

goal.

A growth Mindset is about believing that change is possible and that with effort and practice,

one can master even the difficult tasks; in this process, one must be ready to be completely

involved and take risks to achieve the aim. Further, a Growth Mindset will make an

individual think that failure is a stepping stone to success; hence, they will keep practising

until the goal is realised. Refer to Lectures 4 and 5 to know more about this topic)

8. From the list of quotes/proverbs below, identify those that talk about the possibility of

overcoming hindrances and exposing the power of a Growth Mindset.

• “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that

counts.”

• “Accept the things to which fate binds you.”

• “Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around

and give up. Figure out how to climb, go through, or work around it.”

• “All human evil comes from a single cause, man’s inability to sit still in a room.”

• “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying,

sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

• “No matter what you do in life, there will be suffering.”

(A positive mindset usually leads to a successful ending. When you are involved in a task,

there will always be obstacles. A person with a positive mindset will always have the will to

continue and put in all the hard work to overcome all the hindrances because of their passion

and love towards their task. The three correct quotes highlight these perspectives. Refer to

Lectures 3, 4 and 5 as they collectively talk about Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset)
 9. What are the important reasons to have constructive, critical people around us?

• For an individual’s personality to grow, it is important to have trustworthy

people to give constructive criticism about our misgivings and mistakes.

• If one does not allow people to criticise and only receives praise, there will not

be growth but only stagnancy.

• Engaging with critical individuals can be emotionally exhausting, as their

negativity and constant criticism may drain one’s energy.

• Interacting with critical people may decrease self-esteem, as their consistent

criticism can make one doubt one’s abilities and worth.

• Regular exposure to critical remarks can lead to heightened stress and anxiety

levels, affecting both your mental and physical health over time.

• Critical people may downplay your achievements, making it difficult for you to

celebrate successes and recognise your own accomplishments.

(The growth of an individual occurs only through constant feedback from others. Hence, one

always pays attention when well-wishers and trustworthy people give constructive criticism

so that they can shed their bad and negative traits and develop better habits. Refer to Lectures

4 and 5.)

10. Choosing a favourable environment to work in or study is one of the most important

decisions for the growth of an individual. From the options given below, identify the

people who are experiencing the benefit of feeling a sense of belongingness with their

surroundings.
 • Varsha finds fulfilment and happiness in her studies because of her strong

sense of belongingness with her classmates, where everyone’s unique

strengths are appreciated.

• Vikram, unable to find common ground with his team, experiences a persistent

feeling of isolation, making it tough for him to cope with the daily challenges of

the work environment.

• Dhriti faces difficulty in establishing meaningful connections with her colleagues,

leading to a lack of bonding and a sense of alienation in the workplace.

• Abheer, despite working for an extended period, feels like an outsider in his team,

finding it difficult to share his ideas or participate in casual conversations,

hindering his overall job satisfaction.

• Advik is satisfied with his work because of the collaborative and friendly

colleagues who create a positive work environment where he feels a deep

sense of belonging.

• Girish is genuinely happy to be part of the cricket team because of its

inclusive culture and mutual respect among players, which makes him feel at

home.

(The sense of belongingness is important because an individual will feel satisfied, happy and

accepted. Such feelings will induce better mental health, help with better performance, and

improve overall well-being. Varsha, Advik, and Girish are three people who have found the

right place and resonate with a sense of belonging. Refer to Lecture 5)

MCQ
 11. Devi is a graduate who just landed her first job at a reputable company. On her first

day, she is introduced to her team. One individual among the colleagues captures her

attention. His name is Abhiram. Everyone likes him and goes to him in case of

conflict or problem because he respects everyone despite their differences. He is

humble and polite when approaching people, and most of all, he usually forgives

people and motivates them to rectify their mistakes.

Why do you think Abhiram is the most preferred person?

• Abhiram has mastered Soft Skills and effective communication.

• Abhiram’s violent behaviour creates a harmful environment, negatively impacting

the well-being of those around him.

• Respect for personal boundaries is crucial in relationships, but Abhiram finds

establishing or maintaining such boundaries challenging.

• Abhiram neglects personal hygiene and self-care practice, contributing to his

overall physical appeal.

• Dishonesty in communication strains relationships, and Abhiram is one of the

most dishonest people.

• Abhiram is a person who constantly worries and creates anxiety for the people

who are around him.

(The passage explains how Abhiram is respectful, humble and polite. Because of these good

qualities, people also like him. This indicates that Abhiram has very good Soft Skills and has

mastered the art of effective communication. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2.)

12. Amish is interviewing candidates for the post of software engineer, and he interacts

with many people from top institutions around the world. One of the interviewees,

Neha from Harvard, had 99.5% marks. She is the perfect candidate with all the
 professional skills as she exhibited enormous technical knowledge, but when she is

selected, she starts behaving rudely with her colleagues. After repeated complaints

from her colleagues, Amish fired Neha, and he refrained from recommending her to

other companies. What does this scenario imply?

• Certain roles require high technical proficiency, such as programming,

engineering, or data analysis, where specific technical skills are fundamental to

the job. Neha did not possess any of the technical skills.

• Despite possessing hard skills, it is important for an individual to develop

Soft Skills so that they can communicate and work effectively with people

around them.

• In highly technical industries like IT, engineering, or healthcare, companies may

prioritise candidates with a strong technical background to meet industry

standards and regulations, which Neha lacked.

• Neha did not know how to convey her ideas to her colleagues. Failing to provide

clear and concise responses may indicate a struggle to organise thoughts or an

inadequate understanding of the subject matter.

• Neha did not have any idea about her work and what she had to do. So, Amish

was disappointed because insufficient knowledge about the company or role led

her to give vague responses, suggesting a lack of interest or commitment to

understanding the organisation’s needs.

• Neha was always prepared poorly to respond to professional meetings.

(Neha is a person without humility and humbleness. This shows that degree and marks will

mean nothing if they do not have good people skills. As the lectures have indicated, learning

soft skills is learning people skills; the passage about Neha implies that she is a person who

does not treat others with respect, and hence, she lacks Soft Skills. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)
 13. From the options given below, why is it necessary for an individual to learn effective

communication?

• Due to technological advancements, human interaction is less important in both

personal and professional life, and hence, effective communication skills may be

less crucial, as technology can handle complex relationships, conflict resolution,

and information conveyance adequately through various communication media.

• The effort and practice required to enhance communication skills will not yield

substantial benefits, so effective communication skills might not always help with

improved interactions, collaboration, or relationships.

• Communication is a complex interactive process involving shared

assumptions and unspoken agreements; hence, without effective

communication, there is a risk of miscommunication while sharing important

information.

• In this modern world, unique human qualities such as effective communication,

empathy, and creativity are replaceable and not essential for a professional and

personal life.

• Effective communication is overrated because even poor articulation or ambiguity

in language can be easily understood.

• Communicating without providing sufficient context can result in confusion, as

recipients may struggle to grasp the significance or relevance of the information

being conveyed. However, such problems are not an issue because one can easily

use technology to rectify them and need not care about effective communication.

(Communication could often go wrong if they are not properly done. Miscommunication

could create wreckage in relationships, the workplace or with friends. Hence, to avoid such
errors and also to become more persuasive, it is vital to learn the skill of effective

communication. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)

14. From the options below, identify the most appropriate sentence pertaining to

nonverbal communication.

• Non-verbal communication is irrelevant and does not play a significant role in

conveying messages.

• Facial expressions, body language, and gestures have no impact on how others

perceive you.

• Maintaining eye contact during a conversation is considered disrespectful and

invasive.

• Non-verbal communication is communication without words; it complements

or clarifies the verbal meaning if used appropriately.

• The tone of voice does not affect a message’s emotional undertones.

• Using inappropriate facial expressions in professional settings is a sign of

confidence.

(Communication is not always about using words and language. Sometimes, actions like

nodding, smiling, and hand gestures such as thumbs-up also become a way of communicating

with people. These are called non-verbal communication, and usually, they complement what

someone is saying. Refer to Lecture 2.)

15. What is the most desirable type of mindset?

• Constantly thinking that one will fail and that there is no way to overcome the

obstacle.

• Believing that there is no way to improve oneself and that fate has already decided

what one person will grow up to be.

 • Succumbing to society’s standards and believing that an individual cannot create a

unique personality.

• Always waiting for someone else’s help instead of taking responsibility and

relying on oneself.

• Having a mindset that accepts constructive criticism and positive responses

with humbleness from the people around you.

• A mindset that brings in poor results and appears to be harmful to the people

around.

(People who believe in fate and society’s standards and are dependent on others usually

won’t be liked or preferred by others because of their passive traits. Hence, it is important to

be open-minded, look for different opportunities, and accept criticism to become a better

person. Such a mindset is most desirable. Refer to Lecture 3)

16. Read the passage and identify its implication: Raj was rude and unhelpful because his

friend once cheated him. He was hurrying home from the office for his daughter’s

birthday celebration one day. But he realised that he had lost his wallet and did not

have the money to take the bus. When Raj seemed very sad about the situation, a

stranger gave him money and helped him reach home on time. Raj’s perspective of

life underwent a radical shift after this incident, where an unexpected display of

kindness inspired him to prioritise love and empathy, reshaping the way he perceived

the world.

• Mindset is solely determined by genetics; you’re born with either a positive or

negative mindset.

• Reading a single self-help book will instantly transform your mindset.

• Mindset development is only relevant in professional settings, not in personal life.

 • Once you’ve developed a mindset, it remains fixed and unchangeable throughout

life.

• Watching motivational videos is the only way to develop a growth mindset.

• People’s perceptions, opinions, and ideas are formed from their previous

experiences, and hence, as individuals, we must ensure that we spread

positivity to the people around us so that they will also grow as individuals

with positive mindsets.

(An individual’s attitude and mindset could be influenced by the people around us. Thus, it is

important to surround ourselves with positive people and also spread goodness and

compassion towards others. Refer to Lectures 3 and 4)

17. Read the passage and identify its implication from the options below: Arjun was once

considered boring because he usually avoids challenges and runs away from difficult

tasks. He believed that it was impossible for him to be adventurous because such a

mindset is genetically inherited. But one day, motivated by a desire for personality

improvement, he takes the initiative to engage actively in new experiences. Rather

than remaining within his comfort zone, he willingly embraced unfamiliar situations,

exposing himself to different perspectives, cultures, and challenges. This intentional

exploration helped him foster personal growth, cultivate adaptability, and an enriched

mindset.

• One’s mind is adaptable to new challenges, so it is possible to change the

fixed mindset by starting with small new challenges and constantly reforming

established belief systems.

• Mindset development is predetermined at birth; individuals cannot alter their

inherent way of thinking.

 • Personal experiences and challenges have no impact on shaping or evolving one’s

mindset.

• Once you reach a certain age, the possibility of changing your mindset diminishes

significantly.

• Intellectual abilities are fixed, and mindset development is beyond individual

control.

• Mindset development is reserved for a select few; most individuals are incapable

of change.

(It is possible to train one’s mind and change one’s attitude towards the world. Thus, through

intentional living and taking steps to become a better person, like Arjun, anyone can shift

their Fixed mindset into a Growth Mindset. Refer to Lectures 4 and 5.)

18. A statement like “it’s too tough for me, I cannot do it” is a trait of people with

___________ mindset?

• Growth

• Fixed

• Flexible

• Fluid

• Transparent

• Easy

(Fixed Mindset people usually think that difficult tasks are impossible to finish, and hence, it

is better not to try them. On the contrary, having a growth mindset helps one to overcome

hindrances. Refer to Lectures 3 and 4.)

19. Read the following passage and identify its implication:

 Aman, a talented and passionate artist from a poor background, found himself facing

discouragement from pursuing his love for art. His classmates stereotyped him in

order to restrict his aspirations by saying that he belonged to a particular community,

which is historically considered to be foolish because of their religious principles.

Further, he was belittled for his parents’ occupation and for residing in a poor

neighbourhood. Despite these challenges, Aman’s determination and resilience

pushed him to challenge these societal norms and pursue his passion against all odds.

• Choosing friends based solely on stereotypes limits the opportunity to build

diverse and meaningful relationships.

• Refusing to consider alternative perspectives because of stereotypes is the right

way towards personal growth.

• We all should be like Aman, who developed a growth mindset and succeeded

in overcoming the negative societal stereotypes based on caste, religion,

parent’s occupation, poor neighbourhood, and poverty.

• Judging a person’s abilities solely by their cultural background is one of the ways

to motivate them towards their aspirations in life.

• Choosing not to engage with diverse cultures because of stereotypes helps one

towards personal growth and develops empathy.

• Assigning specific personality traits to individuals based on their race is very

helpful as it will motivate them to their optimal functioning potential.

(Stereotypes are societal notions about others based on certain contexts; usually, these are

limiting and restrictive to people. A person with Growth Mindset will not succumb to such

stereotypes as he/she will constantly look to learn and grow instead of believing in what

others think of them. Refer to Lecture 5)

20. According to Steele and Aronson, what is a “stereotype threat”?

 • Stereotype threat is a statement that is always an accurate representation of

different groups of people.

• Stereotype threat is an attitude that has no impact on perpetuating biases or

influencing discriminatory behaviours.

• Stereotype threat refers to how the stereotype is positive and does not affect the

way individuals are treated in society because people are judged solely on their

merits.

• Stereotype threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as a self-

characteristic, a negative stereotype about one’s social group.

• Stereotype threats are cultural stereotypes that members of those cultures always

appreciate as respectful portrayals.

• Stereotype threat is an effective and unbiased way to navigate a diverse and

multicultural society.

(Stereotypes often make people follow the established order. Thus, according to Steele and

Aronson, ‘stereotype threat’ refers to being at risk of confirming, as a self-characteristic, a

negative stereotype about one’s social group. Refer to Lecture 5)

True or False

21. Soft Skills comprise pleasant and appealing personality traits such as self-confidence,

positive attitude, and emotional intelligence.

• True

• False

(Soft Skills are a set of characteristics and skills that include self-confidence, a positive

attitude, and emotional intelligence. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)

 22. A few of the reasons why people fear public activities like delivering a presentation

are fear of humiliation, unfamiliarity, and the anxiety of unexpected reactions from

the audience.

• True

• False

(Public activities involve performing/presenting something in front of a large audience.

People often are afraid to do public activities because they are scared that the crowd might

not like the speech and might humiliate them. Further, sometimes, the unfamiliarity of large

numbers also makes people scared of doing public activities. Refer to Lectures 1 and 2)

23. A ‘mindset’ is possessed only by successful people; not everyone can have a mindset.

• True

• False

(Every individual has a mindset and a particular approach to the world. Thus, it is not only a

specific few who have a mindset, but everyone has it. The only difference is successful

people have Growth Mindset while others might not have it. Refer to Lecture 3)

24. People with a Growth Mindset believe that one cannot grow at all and succumbs to

the judgement of society.

• True

• False

(People with Growth Mindset believe that one can always grow if they put in enough effort

and dedicate time. Refer to Lecture 3 and 4)

 25. It is proven that the environment and sense of belonging are important for the healthy

functioning of an individual.

• True

• False

(A sense of belonging is important for people to perform better and be happier in any

environment. Refer to Lecture 5)