Enhancing Soft Skills and Personality

Week 4/Assignment 4

MSQ: 1-10

MCQ: 11-20

True/False: 21-25

1. Which of the following options are true regarding the reality of human life?

• We do not ever need reassurance from people in our life to survive.

• It is possible to force people to like us.

• To make more people gravitate towards us, we need to tell them how they

should change for us.

• Our happiness quotient depends on the number of people who like us and

are willing to help us without expecting anything in return.

• We are social animals and cannot survive in isolation.

• People will automatically like us if we eliminate the hateful qualities in us.

(Lecture 16 discusses why we need to eliminate hateful traits in us and highlights that being

social animals, we need to understand that our survival depends on our likeability. We cannot

survive for a long time without reassurance from others. This likeability is also responsible

for our happiness. Go through the lecture to understand more.)

2. Identify those persons with dislikeable traits.

• Sumit magnifies trivial issues into major concerns and creates unnecessary

stress in the workplace.

 • Nandini’s exceptional listening skills and empathy make her a trusted confidante.

• Bhavesh is generous and willing to go the extra mile for others.

• Deepanshu consistently fails to meet deadlines, leaving his team scrambling

to cover for his shortcomings.

• Ahmed consistently nags people to do his trivial jobs even when they are

disinterested.

• Vijay spreads malicious rumours about his colleagues, creating a toxic work

environment.

(People creating a disturbance over minor issues, holding someone else responsible for their

mistakes, nagging, and being dishonest are usually disliked. Further, gossiping and spreading

false news is another bad quality that people do not like. Sumit, Deepanshu, Ahmed, and

Vijay exhibit these traits. For further understanding, refer to Lecture 16.)

3. Consider the following real-life scenarios and identify which ones correctly reflect the

principles behind Socrates’ Three Filter Test.

• Maria heard a rumour about her colleague at work. She could not verify its

truthfulness or usefulness, so she decided to stay quiet and not share it with

anyone.

• Jasraj frequently shares sensational gossip about his friends without caring if it is

factual, arguing that as long as people find it entertaining, it does not matter.

• Pakeeza was about to tell her friend something she had heard but paused to

consider whether it was helpful and positive. Since it was neither, she chose

not to share it.

• Arjun repeats everything he hears from others, reasoning that everyone has the

right to hear all information, regardless of whether it is authentic, helpful, or

positive.
 • James only shares information that he knows is truthful, serves a purpose,

and will not harm anyone emotionally, considering the impact of his words.

• Emma believes any news, as long as it is exciting, is worth spreading, even if it is

negative or baseless because it makes conversations livelier.

(Socrates believed that before accepting any information, one should ask themselves if the

information is true, good, and useful. If the information fails any of these filters, it should not

be accepted. The Three Filters Test can be used as a guide to help individuals assess the

credibility of information and make informed decisions. It also helps promote responsible

communication and discourage gossip. Maria, Pakeeza, and James follow this test. Refer to

lecture 17 to know more about the Three Filters Test.)

4. Identify the traits of an attractive person exhibited during a turbulent time.

• Being bold and decisive

• Being quick and responsive

• Being steady and tolerant

• Being patient and unbiased

• Being angry and anxious

• Being self-absorbed and insensitive

(When someone is faced with a burdensome situation or pressured because of unsolvable

issues, people who can stay calm and make decisions quickly with stability are the ones who

have emotional intelligence. Such people are usually tolerant and unbiased because they can

think from different perspectives, which helps them make correct decisions during pressing

times. Thus, possessing traits of emotional intelligence will make someone an attractive

person. Refer to Lecture 18.)

5. Identify the individuals with likeable traits.

 • Rahat is in a relationship and makes sure that his partner does not feel that

her freedom is constrained because of him.

• Jafar trims his nails every Friday and makes sure his skin is always well

moisturised.

• Shafayat loves socialising, but he takes care of people’s personal space.

• Leeman often mocks others for their cultural or religious differences.

• Imran constantly forces his ideas on others, expecting them to agree with him

even if it does not suit their needs or desires.

• Ali is overly critical of others and often points out their flaws in public.

(Lecture 18 discusses many likeable traits. Rahat, Jafar, and Shafayat exhibit some of them.

Refer to the lecture to learn more about likeable traits.)

6. Identify the different meanings of “attractive” discussed in this week’s lecture.

• Pleasing to the eye or mind, especially through beauty or charm.

• Having the power to raise interest.

• Attractiveness is directly proportional to the number of times you have

successfully befriended a cat.

• Pertaining to physics, ‘attractive’ is the ability to draw or pull.

• Lack of confidence and a negative self-image are key factors in someone being

perceived as attractive.

• Attractiveness is unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as sedentary and poor dietary

habits.

(The meanings of “attractive,” as discussed in Lecture 19, are as follows: Pleasing to the eye

or mind, especially through beauty or charm, having the power to raise interest, and

pertaining to physics, ‘attractive’ is the ability to draw or pull.)

 7. Which of the following are emotionally attractable traits?

• Being there for people in their bad times.

• Remembering people’s names and calling them the way they want

• Wishing people on their special days.

• Being kind and generous to people.

• Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

• Maintaining a good posture during conversations.

(Attractable traits pertaining to emotions are the ones that will touch another person’s heart

and connect with their innermost feelings. This also includes remembering people’s names

and wishing them on special days. Refer to lecture 19 to understand more.)

8. Read the passage and choose the appropriate observations:

Due to severe work pressure, Rahul went through a breakdown that necessitated him

to make a radical change in his lifestyle. He stopped worrying about unnecessary

work pressure and actively embraced mindfulness. Further, Rahul developed deeper

connections with his friends and family. This transformative experience instilled in

him a newfound respect for all living beings, making him an animal lover. With these

changes, love and loyalty became his guiding principles.

• Rahul has achieved spiritual attractiveness and self-actualisation.

• Rahul should not have changed his lifestyle because being good to others will give

him nothing.

• Rahul is a loser because he loves animals, and nobody wants to be an animal

lover.

• Rahul let his external situation affect him. He should have stayed in his old self,

proving that no external situation can have an impact on him.

 • Rahul’s traits, such as mindfulness, kindness, and deeper connection with

other people, show that he has achieved a higher level of aspiration.

• Rahul will fail in this attempt because he seems like a person who could easily

give up on his lifestyle and adopt a new one.

(Self-actualisation is the complete realisation of one’s potential, the full development of one’s

abilities, and appreciation for life. Through mindfulness, kindness, and a more profound

connection with others, Rahul has reworked his lifestyle, reached spiritual attractiveness, and

attained a higher level of aspiration. Refer to Lectures 19 and 20.)

9. What message can we infer from the story of the hunchback?

• Hunchbacks bring bad luck.

• Beggars invite their own fate.

• Ungrateful people deserve harsh treatment.

• The evil you do remains with you.

• The good you do comes back to you.

• The reason is better than faith.

(Lecture 20 provides the interesting story of the hunchback. It is a timeless tale that carries

various messages, depending on the interpretation and context., the idea that the evil you do

remains with you, and the belief that the good you do comes back to you. The story can also

be interpreted as a cautionary tale, warning against ungratefulness and the consequences of

harsh treatment towards others.)

10. What are the significant lessons from The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual

Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle?

• Only the present moment is important.

• Life is filled with suffering.

 • We cannot control our past.

• We have to be mindful of the present.

• We should pay off our past debts.

• We should embrace the uncertainty of the future.

(Lecture 20 discusses The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart

Tolle. It is a book that explores spirituality and enlightenment. Some of the significant

lessons from this book include the importance of living in the present moment and the idea

that only the present moment is important. The book also touches on the concept that life is

filled with suffering and that it is important to be mindful of the present to reduce this

suffering. Additionally, the book highlights the idea that we cannot control our past and the

importance of embracing the uncertainty of the future.

MCQ

11. While reminding people of an important subject, one should always remain:

• Nagging

• Gentle

• Indifferent

• Rash

• Emotional

• Condescending

(Lecture 17 talks about how important it is to be gentle and not be perceived as nagging or

condescending when reminding someone of something. Using a soft and empathetic approach

will help the recipient feel heard and respected, which can increase the likelihood that they

will follow through with the task or remember what you reminded them of. Being rash or
indifferent can come across as disinterested or lacking concern, which can make the other

person feel unimportant.)

12. Which of the following best reflects the idea of success according to Ralph Waldo

Emerson?

• Achieving fame and wealth through hard work

• Making a positive difference in someone’s life, even in a small way

• Competing with others to be the best

• Accumulating material possessions and status

• Following society’s expectations and fitting in

• Gaining the approval of influential people and leaders

(Lecture 18 quotes Emerson, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have

lived. This is to have succeeded”. This profound line suggests that true success is not about

wealth, fame, or accomplishments but about making a positive difference in others’ lives.

Emerson emphasises that if you have made someone’s life better, even in a small way, you

have achieved something truly valuable. It highlights the importance of kindness,

compassion, and the impact we have on those around us.)

13. Complete this quote by Carl Jung using the right combination of words from the

options given below: “Who looks outside, ________, who looks inside, _______.”

• fails, wins

• regrets, flourishes

• dreams, awakens

• rejoices, enlightens

• desires, works

• despairs, knows
(This question is based on a quote by Carl Jung mentioned in lecture 16. The quote reads:

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside,

dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”)

14. Which of the following evokes the behaviour of a fraudulent person?

• They will always tell the truth, even in tough situations.

• As an employee, they consistently follow company policies and procedures

without fail.

• In a crowd, they will only interact with the rich or more powerful people.

• They take responsibility for successes and mistakes, ensuring accountability

for their actions.

• As colleagues, they help their peers by offering advice and supporting their

growth, even if it doesn’t benefit them directly.

• They have unhealthy eating habits and tend to be gluttonous.

15. According to Tim Sander, what does likeability come down to?

• Creating positive emotional experiences in others.

• Making people uncomfortable with themselves

• Providing reasons to people to stay away from you.

• Critiquing people incessantly for their flaws.

• Working hard to make a lot of money.

• Being able to survive without others.

(This question is based on a quote by Tim Sander mentioned in lecture 17. Tim Sanders says

“Likeability comes down to creating positive emotional experiences in others . . . ”)

16. Read the passage and choose the most appropriate observation:
Arya’s truthful and sincere approach contributes to his widespread popularity among

friends and neighbours. His transparent communication establishes an environment of

trust, fostering robust and meaningful connections. Whether in personal or

professional spheres, Arya’s integrity remains evident, and he is gaining admiration

and affection from those in his social circle.

• People who are frank and open will be liked by others as they provide

assurance and create a feeling of safety. Since Arya is a person of such

nature, he has been seen as a reassuring person with whom one can share any

sensitive news and seek guidance.

• Arya is just pretending to be a good guy to know others’ secrets. Once they

confide in him, he will use their secrets to blackmail them emotionally.

• People try to confide in calm and polite people because they are very innocent and

will never reveal their secrets to others. Everyone considers Arya to be an

innocent and naïve person, and that is why they find him reassuring.

• Having integrity will attract people, but unfortunately, Arya cannot say ‘no’ to

others. Because of this, there will be a lot of time leakage in his life, reducing his

efficiency.

• Arya is just being nice for his professional benefits. Good behaviour will help him

get promotions, and once he becomes the manager, he will fire everyone who

consumes his time.

• Being transparent and open makes Arya a vulnerable person. People only talk to

him with fake information because they are afraid, he might gossip about others if

he knows true details about people.

(People are attracted to the ones who are open and frank as they exhibit a sense of

trustworthiness and safety. As Arya communicated transparently and made meaningful

connections, he gained admiration and affection. Refer to Lectures 17 and 18.)

17. Complete this quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer: “You don’t attract what you want. You

attract __________.”

• what you don’t want

• what you dislike

• what you are

• what you dream

• what you manifest

• what God wants

(The complete quote that is referred to in the question is as follows: “The law of attraction is

this: You don’t attract what you want. You attract what you are.” Go through lecture 19 to

understand it more.)

18. Identify the most appropriate statement about mindfulness.

• Mindfulness is reading other people’s minds and predicting the future.

• Mindfulness involves chanting mystical mantras to unlock hidden powers within

your brain.

• To master mindfulness, you must completely empty your mind of all thoughts and

emotions, becoming an emotionless robot.

• Being fully attentive and living in the present moment without feeling anxious

about an unknown future or getting bogged down by a depressive past.

• Mindfulness allows you to communicate with animals and understand their

thoughts and feelings.

 • Mindfulness is a magical practice that allows you to levitate and float above the

ground.

(As mentioned in Lecture 20, mindfulness is being fully attentive and living in the present

moment without feeling anxious about an unknown future or getting bogged down by a

depressive past.)

19. From the list of quotes below, identify the one that contradicts the notion of being

yourself.

• “Do not be a copy when you were born to be an original.”

• “Your individuality is your greatest asset. Embrace it, cherish it, and never trade it

for conformity.”

• “In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.”

• “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is

the greatest accomplishment.”

• “The human is indissolubly linked with imitation; a human being only

becomes human at all by imitating other human beings.”

• “Your originality is your superpower; do not dull it down for anyone.”

(As individuality is important, imitating is terrible and could kill a person’s creativity and

personality. Thus, the quote, “The human is indissolubly linked with imitation; a human

being only becomes human at all by imitating other human beings”, is contradictory to what

the Soft Skills course is teaching. Refer to Lectures 19 and 20.)

20. What is the main point highlighted by the Dalai Lama’s quote in this week’s lectures

about the surprising nature of humanity?

• Humans are inherently selfish and driven by material pursuits.

 • People often prioritise the wrong things in life and fail to appreciate the

present moment.

• Life is tough and unpredictable, so people should worry each day about their

future.

• True happiness comes from material possessions and not spiritual

enlightenment.

• Humans trust technology more than their friends.

• Family is considered a sacred institution.

(The quote that is referred to in this question is as follows: “Man surprised me the most about

humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his

money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not

enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future. He lives as

if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived.”)

True/False

21. Sense of humour has no impact on our likeability.

• True

• False

(Lack of a good sense of humour is a dislikeable trait. Being serious in all situations can

discourage people from engaging with you. Go through lecture 16 to further understand

dislikeability in the context of humour)

22. Leaving parents at an old age home without caring for them in person when one is

capable is a very respectable and likeable trait.

• True

• False
(Caring for others is one of the crucial qualities of being a likeable person. If someone tries to

avoid responsibility and thinks of leaving their parents in a nursing home, it is not a likeable

trait. Refer to Lectures 16 and 17.)

23. Getting good sleep is an important trait to be attractive to people.

• True

• False

(Lecture 19 refers to getting good sleep as an attractable trait. Not getting good sleep will tire

one’s body and mask the good personality of a person through a groggy mood.)

24. Understanding one’s self-worth does not affect people’s capacity to find one

attractive.

• True

• False

(When people know that you value yourself, they will find you attractive. Refer to lecture 19

for further explanation.)

25. ‘Pay it forward’ means returning the help to someone else instead of the person who

helped you.

• True

• False

(It is true that ‘Pay it forward’ means returning the help to someone else instead of the person

who helped you. By paying it forward, more people will benefit if one individual does a good

deed. Refer to Lecture 20 for further discussion.)