Leadership Qualities

Picture Courtesy: David Castillo Dominici 

Leadership is all about motivating your team members, in simple words, the aim is to make slow ones do better and good ones even better. A true leader has to be sincere, trustworthy, fair-minded, assertive, inspiring and innovative.

A leader is considered to be a paradigm for others and so the person has to be flawless in every attribute. Being perfect also includes the quality of accepting and improving one's errors. We all are aware that learning  is an incessant cord and is an imperative facet of leadership traits. As the world is witnessing technological advancement and supplementary changes, each person should be dedicated to learn and impart their awareness to others, which sequentially promotes the organisation.

Also, individuals should posses the ability to acclimatize to situations and should have explicit goals which ensure proper arrangement and execution of work plan. with apparent attitude the leader will lead his team members and co-workers in a more ingenious manner.

Another essential aspect is to stimulate and appreciate others so that they feel energized and their contentment level leads an impression on their work with further improvement. seeing one's ability and utilizing it in best possible way is the major task of a leader. Also, the interaction level among the team members and hierarchy should be apparent as it guarantees healthy work standards.

Patience Level

It has been rightly believed that "patience is a companion of wisdom." A forbearing person is considered sensible and wise as he retails the talent of paying attention, of comprehending and of receiving criticism with a constructive approach.

In a group discussion, when a topic is announced each candidate is expected to present their perspective and during such sessions the aspirants even appose other's ideas and thoughts. The recruiters check the aspirants' ability of facing contradiction, no body can be completely correct or incorrect. For instance, in debatable issues there are contradictory statements, so few candidates abide for the positives and others for the negatives. Therefore each group should have the dexterity to listen to others point of view. Just emphasizing on your point and not willing to listen to others view is not considered appropriate.

Similarly, pupils should give chance to other speakers so that they can exhibit their ideas. This portrays the leadership quality of the individual.

Emphasizing on your point is completely acceptable but listening to other's point of view calmly and agreeing with the correct statement is also required. This will exhibit your friendly and warm attitude that would prove sanguine for the organisation.

Note: to ream more about patience direct to :  http://akanksha-subsistence.blogspot.in/2012/09/yes-patience-pays.html

Interpersonal Skills

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Interpersonal skills include your ability to communicate with fellow beings and be able to convince them. A confidant person is expected to possess good communication skills and could be a fine leader due to the ability of conveying the appropriate information to the hierarchy members, colleagues  business partners, clientele and suppliers. This quality will motivate the subordinate and team members and can be a help in apposite decision making.

Effective communication earns goodwill to the organisation and its members and creates a jovial environment within the society. Also, it leads to better understanding of individual's interests, as everybody has a say and the lucrative ideas and suggestions are always welcomed.

With increased and better communication there stay fewer differences between the colleagues and hierarchy members as things are communicated through suitable channels. The more interaction you have the more suggestions and feedback you receive, so interpersonal skills binds the organisations as a comfortable entity welcoming discussions, suggestions and feedback.

Also, interpersonal skills encourage network building as, a person with good communication skills will entice clientele and suppliers with his/her ability by providing them appropriate information regarding the resources that the organisation is seeking or offering. 

Analytical skills

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Your analytical skills portray your capability to comprehend the ideas and express them in the most apposite language that others can easily recognize. A line or a sentence can be perceived accordingly and it is up to the perceiver that how he/she understands the context. A person with good analyzing skills will surely act as a problem solver with the unmatched ability.

It is one's rational thinking that will provide an advantage of observing and answering accordingly. The main emphasis is on identifying a problem with a broader outlook, designing and trying out solutions and later executing relevant plans which will consecutively help in better decision making. This will also represent the leadership quality, the way of managing and dealing with issues.

While analyzing, one identifies pros and cons of each solution, as deep scrutiny is involved. It is the expertise that will decide on the best solution according to the need for making things right. For instance if there are two solutions for a problem, it is your ability that will examine both the solutions profoundly, taking together their merits and demerits and then deciding upon the most fitting one. 

Deviating Ideas

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Different and diverse ideas by you while participating in a group discussion will surely give you an edge over other participants. The foremost thing to be taken care of is, deciphering the question. Think over it and get the ideas as it would facilitate your power of expression. The aim is to hold the attention which is possible with deviating ideas.

For this, stay familiar with the current news and affairs so that when a question is asked in a GD one isn't left dumbstruck. Remember, most of the questions asked in a GD are either related to social issues and problems or the current affairs. So the more newspapers, articles you read and more news you watch on television or internet the more acquainted you will be with the world reports. 

Another most important thing to be cautioned about is your tone of speaking, be firm in your voice with a level of audibility. Speak forcibly but softly, your tone should not be harsh. If you are too soft then your ideas will be overlapped by someone else's voice.

Don't exhibit annoyance if you face contradiction. See, a debatable topic has conflicting standpoints so if you face disagreement do not go restless, instead stay firm on your verdict.

Pay attention to others as well, the aim is to emphasize on your point but listening and appreciation others ideas demonstrates your leadership qualities.  

Indian Education System

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Education plays a vital role in an overall development of an individual, a society and a country.  Government of India has been trying hard to impart education to each one of its young individuals. Earlier our education system included the schools like Gurukul which still exists in some of the places.

In the Gurukul system all the students dwelled together as equals and gained education under their GURU. “GURU is the educator that guides his pupils from darkness to light”. GURU or a teacher is considered as a person with high regard who is believed to be considered as equal to GOD in the Indian society.

However, the Indian government later introduced the initial education that is education up to the age of 14 years, also known as elementary education. Also, in our system education up to 16 years of age has been made free and compulsory for children.

Even the mid day meals have been introduced in the past few years to attract more students to attend their school.  Also, a common structure has been espoused all over the country which includes the 10+2+ 3/4 educational system that is the secondary education, senior secondary education (10+2) and after that includes 3 or 4 years of graduation.

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After graduation most of the master courses include two years of studies and sometimes the time duration is even of three years. After the US and China, Indian higher education system is the third largest in the world

All these classes, including elementary, secondary, graduation, post-graduation are assessed through the examination system, whereas the doctorate programs include submission of dissertations.

Our education system has witnessed a lot of change like distinct education has become easily accessible after the introduction of a lot of open schools. Also, emphasis on vocational and professional training has availed the students in many areas.

Higher bodies like CBSE, ICSE and UGC are the main organizations that evaluate the functioning of various educational institutions and bring in the necessary changes. All the institutions work according to their guidelines.

But in recent past our education system has been censured due to its examination system, as a child’s ability is difficult to assess in three hours of examination, moreover the evaluation system in India is not up to the mark. Secondly, more emphasis is given on theoretical knowledge rather than practical knowledge.  

Brain Drain

Brain drain is the loss of skilled workforce through migration and due to better opportunities available overseas. It is one of the major concerns of developing countries as their skilled workforce leaves for abroad and serves foreign businesses due to the enhanced professional opportunities available and high living standards.

Brain drain is a wide subject of discussion as, a large number of individuals with technical skills and knowledge move to other countries due to better work and social environment. Moreover, companies from developed countries offer better pay and miscellaneous packages to these people which entice them to work abroad. The skills of the educated workforce are used and applied proficiently due to technological advancements in such countries.  Brain drain could also be a result of personal preference where the individuals are attracted by the west culture and want to lead a life in hi-tech countries.  

But, the home countries suffer loss as their skilled pupils who have received knowledge and expertise in their home country go and serve the other countries due to better opportunities available. A skilled individual can add to the technological advancement of a country as his/her expertise can be used to facilitate the home country and its companies.

Sometimes the individuals attend training and education programs sponsored by the government, but when they receive a chance to serve their own country they shift abroad due to better opportunities available, this leads to a huge loss for the government. Imagine skilled pupils like doctors, engineers, scientists, management trainees and other educated people serving their own country instead of working for other countries.

The reasons that are responsible for brain drain are lack of good employment opportunities, poor remuneration, lack of facilities, low standard of living, deep workload, inadequate management, problems like violence, crime, corruption and poor health facilities.

Why good communication skills are essential ?

Photo Courtesy: Stuart Miles

Communication is a vital aspect which decides the fate of a person accordingly. It portrays the confidence level, as well as is a device to measure the nature and characteristic of an individual. Communication is a two way process in which a listener and a speaker are involved. The trait of a good communicator is that, when  a listener is able to comprehend the ideas of the speaker.

According to professional perspective, the employers seek good communication skills in their employees, so that they are able to build up an efficient team as communication among hierarchy members is carried out effectively. Also, good communication is required while dealing with the suppliers and the clientele in order to have cordial relations with them.  The better communication skills you will have the better will be your relations with others, as everyone appreciates high-quality communiqué that supports organizations in their connections.

Good communication skills results in comprehensive approach where employees and colleagues are provided with proper feedback to appreciate and enhance their performance. Moreover, it enhances the team morale where everyone works together for the betterment of the organization as a whole.

The most important thing about good communication skills is that it depicts the confidence level of an individual. The more clear and transparent one will be in his/her communication the more opportunities he/she will receive. Also, being a manipulative leader can also give you an edge in certain circumstances.  

The foremost thing to be noticed is that to become a good communicator, one has to be a good listener too. A quiet and calm listener can comprehend things well and can further communicate in the most appropriate manner.

Multinational Corporations

A multinational corporation is a conglomerate that functions and operates in several other countries besides the home country. These MNCs retains an influential sphere on the global as well as local economies.  Countries experience benefits from these MNC’s in terms of globalized relations, consumer benefits, employment opportunities and many others. Similarly their entrance could be a threat on local companies as their commencement would lead to more competition.

To take a closer glance on the MNCs impact on host countries lets first discuss its positives that could help in the growth and development of host country.

• First of all MNCs encourages foreign trade which make sure inflow of foreign capital that could lead to country’s advancement.

• Their entrance in an economy ensures research and development in the host country which flourishes its infrastructure and other concerned domains.

• MNCs not only contribute and encourage financial resources but also develop expertise as well as entrepreneurial propensity among the citizen of host country.

• MNCs tax payments help the government of host countries to generate enormous revenues which can be used for further development of a country.

• Employment opportunities are generated with international standards.

• Also standard of living of a country increases due to latest services and technologies used by these countries.

In contrast MNCs have their drawback too:

• The MNCs sometimes become a threat to the local companies and hinder their expansion.

• Also, sometimes they reinvest their revenues in order to expand their projects and the government remains devoid of generating revenues.

• With higher income packages they attract the intellectual youth of the nation and so the local organizations suffer the loss.

• Also, their distribution of income results in economic inequalities due to the high packages offered as their employees encompass superiority complex.

•  Also, with their intensive technology they discourage manual workforce and leads to unemployment.

• Due to monopoly these MNCs exploit the regional market.

Curriculum Vitae

A Curriculum Vitae (CV), also known as resume, includes an individual’s personal, educational and professional record which includes name, contact information, educational qualification, awards and honors, experience, affiliation and other  professional details.

To start with one should have a clear outline of the job position he/she is applying for so that the CV is developed on its basis. As different job require different set of skills so the aspirant should build up the CV accordingly. It is up to you to provide your personal information in the beginning or at the end of your CV.

Personal Information

Personal information includes your name, date of birth, contact number, email address and house address.  If you are providing your personal information at the end, do mention your name and email in the beginning.

Education and Qualification

Next is your educational qualification where you will have to mention your preceding degrees, subjects and university.  Do mention your grades or percentage unless poor.

Work Experience

Next is your work history, if you have any experience of training or work mention your designation, company’s name and duration of your work or training.

After that mention your skills, in this section write down the skills that you possess and are related to the job profile.  Here you can talk about the knowledge of languages, or knowledge of any addition course.

Interests

Then is interest section where you will talk about your hobbies and interests. Remember talk about the interests that you are well aware of as the interviewer can interrogate you on your interests.  You can also talk about the interests that are related to you job.

Social Issue: Corporal Punishment

It is a form of punishment inflicted on body or in simple words physical punishment. This punishment could be on the domestic scale, in school or by permission of the court.  However, this technique of punishment is often censured at the domestic, school or social level but still this practice has housed in our society.

People who believe in corporal punishment has a notion that through this they can deter the faults, as fear of punishment would alert the victim and he or she will not indulge in wrong doings. This is the reason why teachers at school and parents often thrash their child by slapping or sometimes they even make use of belts, sticks, slippers etc.  Also, when children do not comprehend what their parents and teachers say, the latter is left with no other option to make the former understand in a better way than this. This mode is considered as the best way to instill discipline in a culprit.

However, this mode of punishment can make the child or a culprit more obstinate and sometimes when they receive regular thrashing they become habitual and so even the thrashing doesn't have any effect on them.  Sometimes, the culprit inducts the feeling of rage and becomes fiercer.  Also, it lowers the confidence and self-respect of the victim which leaves a negative impact. Many times corporal punishment is smeared unnecessarily and the sufferer is victimized without any fault.

Such activities should be undertaken in rare or extreme cases when the individual is not able to figure out the scenario even after trying different approaches. Physical punishment should be the last option to make someone understand.

Social Issue: Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is an act of putting the life to death or execution of a person on courts order, for some heinous crime.  It is the eventual decision of a government and is taken in extreme cases.  This decision faces criticism and is considered unethical, as many social organizations appose its implementation.

As exclaimed earlier, this kind of punishment is considered for criminals who have engaged in the most atrocious crimes and are a threat to the society. Also, this punishment is measured as a paradigm for other criminals, to make them realize the penalty of the crime that could cost them their life.

Most of the criminals are penalized with imprisonment or other punishment just to give them another chance to make the most from the new opportunity provided to lead a better and ethical life. But death sentence or capital punishment is often believed to be an eye for an eye justice where a murderer is exposed to death sentence.  Also, this punishment could be applied for the criminals engaged in any kind of assault or any other treacherous activity.

The activists who oppose this penalty often deem it as an inhumane activity, as it breaches human rights. In their viewpoint even life imprisonment could be an appropriate method of punishing such criminals since suffering is more in such cases. Also, the criminal is not given a time to repent for his/her wrongdoings.

This type of death penalty has always been a debatable issue and taking someone’s life should be left in the hands of nature. 

Social Issue: Discrimination

Discrimination is an abhorrent term which has divided the society into various categories rendering simple living into an unsafe activity. It is a shameful ideology followed by some people or communities, challenging the creation of God. Discrimination is a prejudicial behavior of a person towards his or her fellow beings on the bases of caste , creed, race/color, religion, gender, national origin,disability and retaliation.

Caste and creed discrimination: It involves the discrimination on the basis of one's religion and faith. Indian society is divided among higher and lower castes and therefore people of lower castes are treated with a shallow felling and they do not receive acknowledgement in most of the cases. People belonging to different religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism etc look down upon the people of another religion. 

Gender Discrimination: This is a debatable issue where females are treated as a fragile gender and face domination from the males. in many countries daughters do not get equal recognition as son and are even devoid of studies. 

Race and Color: People discriminate their fellow beings on the basis of their color. blacks or dark skinned people are mostly mistreated by the white skins.  

National Origin: natives of foreign countries are often ill-treated due to their origin in another country. 


Region: Due to the division of east and west, westerners are considered better when compared with the people of east. also, the distinction is done within the countries too on the basis of region. 

Age: Sometimes even age factor leads to discrimination, as young people are often offended and disfavored by working ones and so they face adverse working conditions. 

Disability: Physically or mentally challenged people are often mocked by fit people despite of the talent they possess. 


Retaliation: Sometimes people face discrimination due to retaliation or revenge felling. some people put down upon the worthy people out of vengeance. 

Besides these people are often discriminated on the basis of their social status and the wealth they possess.  

Advertisements

Creative billboard advertisement!!

Advertisements are the non personal mode of communication where the buyer and the seller do not get to meet each other. The advertisements are either done through print media, broadcast media or internet. This is a technique to promote products and services. Advertisement is the mode which can pass information either through pictures, video, speech or written words. 

The advertisements are created keeping in mind the features of the products that consumers need to know sequentially to make its purchase. People get highly influenced by the advertisements so the advertisements are expected to carry a positive perspective that would have a healthy impact on the viewers and consumers. 

Unlike in personal communication the buyers and the sellers interact with each other to discuss about the products, advertisements carry a specific image about the product which gives out brief description of the same. 

A toothpaste advertisement exhibiting the problem of cavity!!

Print advertisements are displayed in the newspapers, magazines, tabloids and through brochures, whereas graphic or video advertisements are displayed on television or on internet. Alsop, radio is one such mode where the advertisements is done only through vocalization.
  
But each company has to be very particular about their advertisements, as advertisements regarding alcohol, cigarettes or related products, encourage consumers to buy the products, even the under age kids. 

So, advertisements play a vital role in every person's life as each one of us receives information about the products available in the market through this mode.  

Role of Media

Photo Courtesy: Renjith Krishnan

Media incorporates many sources of communication like print media (includes newspapers and magazines), broadcast media (includes radio and television) and internet (includes online newspapers, blogs and articles). The aim of media is to communicate information to the general masses.

The society remains acquainted with the on goings of the country and worldwide in various domains with the help of media. They play a significant and crucial role, as the masses picture the information according to their viewpoint.  Media plays the role of watchdog and looks into the sensitive matters related to governmental policies and public relations.

They have the power to educate the citizen of the country through their speeches and words. They are also termed as the voice of the nation as they fill in the gap between the government and the general public and make the two channels co-operate effectively.

Media enacts in the development procedure and suggests the appropriate attributes to the required source. They look after the entertaining domain and promote advertisements related to trade and industry.  They have the capability to bring in the positive outlook for the people. Their each and every word can be precious for spreading awareness among the masses.


But, due to excessive powers they have the ability to exploit the innocence. They have immense power to depict picture according to their will and can sometimes be misleading. They sometimes promote irrelevant substance that could be harmful for underage people or anyone in the society.

Photo Courtesy: Renjith Krishnan 

Globalization

Photo Courtesy: David Castillo Dominici 

Globalization carries out the amalgamation of various ideas, cultures, languages, people, financially viable activities like trade and commerce.  It supports worldwide trade by reducing various tariffs on goods and services. Globalization takes on the entire world as a single community.

It strengthens countries relations with each other. It promotes comprehensible market for foreign countries and encourages amiable social and political relations.  Enhances the functionality and capabilities of the companies and encourages healthy competition. With easy accessibility of goods and services broadens the horizon of global trading.  Also, globalization reinforces better communication channel among various countries.

Healthy flood of information among countries can be observed. Also, globalization will boost-up the economies by encouraging innovative ideas and their proper implementation. People will be more aware about the different cultures and languages.

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But globalization has a negative side too, the economies will favor machinery intensive techniques rather than labor intensive ones and so manpower will face a drawback. Also, bran drain problem can be faced, with skilled people being recruited in foreign countries.

Impact of Technology

Advancement in technology is a thrilling experience and is identical to magic. We are a part of that world where things once termed as impossible has become possible. Latest gadgets like high-tech cars, computers, laptops, smartphones, cameras, printers, other office related and home used gizmos have made this world a much easier place to live-in. If to talk about a small kid or an adolescent, a middle aged person or an elderly person everyone is reliant and has become tech savvy which is indispensable for endurance.

Photo Courtesy: David Castillo Dominici 

Technological advancement has influenced human civilization to the extent that everything seems quite interesting and easy to use. Science has encouraged and helped the individuals to gain knowledge of different entities which results in further advancement and increased standard of living. Be it an education, medicine, space, economy or any other domain, technological development is leading the world.

However, it has a drawback too, for instance individuals have been enslaved by the machines, now-a-days. Earlier the work was done manually which always had a positive impact on an individual’s life, but now the dependency on machines and gadgets has adverse effect on health and life.

Even the social life of individuals has reduced as people of all age groups restrict to computers and their personal gadgets instead of going out and exploring things.  Also, technological progression has resulted in more weapons and warfare which throw in turbulence in the society.

Therefore, as every coin has two sides similarly technology has its own pros and cons and it is on us to make use of  it in the supreme way without contradicting and challenging the God’s creation.  

Current Affairs

To survive in this adroit world each one of us requires mindfulness regarding the ongoing events in the nation as well as across the globe. Keeping in mind a student’s perspective or someone who is preparing to enter an organization, a fully fledged knowledge of recent happenings in the past is mandatory. Knowledge of current affairs play a key role in everyone’s life as one will not feel left out during a discussion about ongoing topics and also the ones appearing for GD’s and personal interview will have an upper hand compared to ignorant ones.



For updating your knowledge, reading newspapers and watching news is a requisite. These two are vital source of information which keeps one updated about every single incident happening in the world. Besides this, the other source is Internet which has become the most popular mode among youngsters and radio is indeed another one.  Reading magazines can be a help too, especially the ones like India Today, outlook, Forbes and other business magazines.

Current affairs include all the fields like politics, economics, science and technology, sports, scams and scandals, awards and honors, entertainment and anything that is huge news.

GD Topics

Per Capita Income: 

Per Capita Income is the mean income of an economy and is measured by dividing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with the country’s population. Per capita income is often used to measure a country’s standard of living. 

Stock Market:

Stock market is a market where stocks and bonds are issued and traded. It is the most important source for businesses to raise money and attains them a public identity as well. Stock market is also termed as equity market as the companies receive an easy access to resources and shareholders receive a slight ownership in the company.

Bonds:

Bonds can also be termed as big loans issued by huge organizations to borrow money from a large number of individuals or bank. The organizations have to pay the borrowed money back and pay fixed interest during the term.  

Investments:

Investment includes purchasing of goods that could be used anytime in the future to generate wealth. Investment generally provides monetary gains in the future.

Currencies:

Currency refers to any form of money used as medium of exchange and includes coins and banknotes. However, the ownership of money can be through cheques and debit card as well.

Foreign Exchange Rate:

Also known as exchange rate, rate of exchange and currency exchange rate is a degree at which a currency can be transformed into another. It also portrays the value of a country’s when compared with any other currency.  

Taxation

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Taxation

We pay tax in terms of toll payments, levy, impost, duty, excise, custom, subsidy, aid etc.  

What is Tax?

Tax is a financial load to be paid by individuals to provide pecuniary support to the government. It is an unavoidable activity and in India taxes are levied by Central and state government and sometimes by local authorities.

There are two types of taxes Direct taxes and Indirect taxes.

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Direct Tax

Direct tax is the one which is paid directly by the organization or entity like paying of personal property tax, real property tax, income tax or tax on personal assets.

Indirect Tax

A tax which is already included in the price tag of goods and consumers pay it by paying more for the products. Examples are sales tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Income tax

It is another important category of tax that the authorities levy on the financial income of the individuals. Entities and individuals pay income tax accordingly once every year.