Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

LAB MANUAL

20A52401 SOFT SKILLS

II YEAR II SEM

Prepared by

Dr A S RAMYA
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Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

Index

Sr. No. List of Experiments

1 Self assessment and development (Resume, Goal analysis, SWOT analysis)

2 Verbal And Non Verbal Communication (write up, a document on extempore

topic)

3 Personal Interview and Group Discussion ( write up, a document on any one
GD topic )

4 Team Building ( write up , activity sheet )

5 Stress Management ( write up on yoga , a feedback document on stress

management session )

6 Book Review and PPT ( a review on any book in form of PPT 5 slides )

7 Technical Report writing/ Email etiquettes/ Language Lab/ Letter writing

8 Assertivity Test and score.

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20A52401 SOFT SKILLS

Course Objectives:
• To encourage all round development of the students by focusing on soft skills
• To make the students aware of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• To develop leadership skills and organizational skills through group activities
• To function effectively with heterogeneous teams
Course Outcomes (CO):
By the end of the program students should be able to
• Memorize various elements of effective communicative skills
• Interpret people at the emotional level through emotional intelligence
• apply critical thinking skills in problem solving
• analyse the needs of an organization for team building
• Judge the situation and take necessary decisions as a leader
• Develop social and work-life skills as well as personal and emotional well-being
UNIT – I Soft Skills & Communication Skills 10 Hrs
Introduction, meaning, significance of soft skills – definition, significance, types of communication
skills - Intrapersonal & Inter-personal skills - Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Activities:
Intrapersonal Skills- Narration about self- strengths and weaknesses- clarity of thought – self-
expression – articulating with felicity
(The facilitator can guide the participants before the activity citing examples from the lives of the great,
anecdotes and literary sources)
Interpersonal Skills- Group Discussion – Debate – Team Tasks - Book and film Reviews by groups -
Group leader presenting views (non- controversial and secular) on contemporary issues or on a given
topic.
Verbal Communication- Oral Presentations- Extempore- brief addresses and speeches- convincing-
negotiating- agreeing and disagreeing with professional grace.
Non-verbal communication – Public speaking – Mock interviews – presentations with an objective to
identify non- verbal clues and remedy the lapses on observation
UNIT – II Critical Thinking 10 Hrs
Active Listening – Observation – Curiosity – Introspection – Analytical Thinking – Open-mindedness
– Creative Thinking
Activities:
Gathering information and statistics on a topic - sequencing – assorting – reasoning – critiquing issues
–placing the problem – finding the root cause - seeking viable solution – judging with rationale –
evaluating the views of others - Case Study, Story Analysis
UNIT – III Problem Solving & Decision Making 10 Hrs

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Meaning & features of Problem Solving – Managing Conflict – Conflict resolution –

Methods of decision making – Effective decision making in teams – Methods & Styles
Activities:
Placing a problem which involves conflict of interests, choice and views – formulating the problem –
exploring solutions by proper reasoning – Discussion on important professional, career and
organizational decisions and initiate debate on the appropriateness of the decision.
Case Study & Group Discussion
UNIT – IV Emotional Intelligence & 10 Hrs
Stress Management
Managing Emotions – Thinking before Reacting – Empathy for Others – Self-awareness – Self-Regulation –
Stress factors – Controlling Stress – Tips
Activities:
Providing situations for the participants to express emotions such as happiness, enthusiasm, gratitude,
sympathy, and confidence, compassion in the form of written or oral presentations.
Providing opportunities for the participants to narrate certain crisis and stress –ridden situations caused by
failure, anger, jealousy, resentment and frustration in the form of written and oral presentation, Organizing
Debates
UNIT – V Leadership Skills 10 Hrs
Team-Building – Decision-Making – Accountability – Planning – Public Speaking – Motivation – Risk-
Taking - Team Building - Time Management
Activities:
Forming group with a consensus among the participants- choosing a leader- encouraging the group members
to express views on leadership- democratic attitude- sense of sacrifice – sense of adjustment – vision –
accommodating nature- eliciting views on successes and failures of leadership using the past knowledge and
experience of the participants, Public Speaking, Activities on Time Management, Motivation, Decision
Making, Group discussion etc.
NOTE-:
1. The facilitator can guide the participants before the activity citing examples from the lives of the great,
anecdotes, epics, scriptures, autobiographies and literary sources which bear true relevance to the prescribed
skill.
2. Case studies may be given wherever feasible for example for Decision Making- The decision of King Lear
or for good Leadership – Mahendar Singh Dhoni etc.
Textbooks:

1. Personality Development and Soft Skills (English, Paperback, Mitra Barun K.) Publisher: Oxford
University Press; Pap/Cdr edition (July 22, 2012)
2. Personality Development and Soft Skills: Preparing for Tomorrow, Dr Shikha KapoorPublisher : I K
International Publishing House; 0 edition (February 28, 2018)

Reference Books:

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1. Soft skills: personality development for life success by Prashant Sharma, BPB publications 2018.
2. Soft Skills By Alex K. Published by S.Chand
3. Soft Skills: An Integrated Approach to Maximise Personality Gajendra Singh Chauhan, Sangeetha Sharma
Published by Wiley.
4. Communication Skills and Soft Skills (Hardcover, A. Sharma) Publisher: Yking books
5. SOFT SKILLS for a BIG IMPACT (English, Paperback, RenuShorey) Publisher: Notion Press
6. Life Skills Paperback English Dr. Rajiv Kumar Jain, Dr. Usha Jain Publisher: Vayu Education of India

Online Learning Resources:

1. https://youtu.be/DUlsNJtg2L8?list=PLLy_2iUCG87CQhELCytvXh0E_y-bOO1_q
2. https://youtu.be/xBaLgJZ0t6A?list=PLzf4HHlsQFwJZel_j2PUy0pwjVUgj7KlJ
3. https://youtu.be/-Y-R9hDl7lU
4. https://youtu.be/gkLsn4ddmTs
5. https://youtu.be/2bf9K2rRWwo
6. https://youtu.be/FchfE3c2jzc

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Exercise 1: Self Assessment and Development

Aim / Objective:

1. To learn how to write a good Resume

2. To write Statement Of Purpose
3. To do Goal analysis
4. SWOT analysis; all the above activities for Self assessment and enhancement.

Theory :

1.1 Resume - Good resumes don't get candidates jobs, but they do get candidates invitations to
interview for jobs. A good resume has just enough information about the applicant's
qualifications to pique the recruiter's or hiring manager's curiosity, yet not so much that the
recruiter or hiring manager learns everything he needs to know without the benefit of an
interview. Good resumes have format, structure and content characteristics that lesser resumes
lack.

1. Look - Present your resume in a clean, easy-to-read format with sections appropriately
labeled. Most importantly, make sure that your resume is perfect. It should be free of
typographical errors and centered on the page so that it doesn't look cluttered. Resumes that
are visually appealing reflect the applicant's diligence in creating a document with the
reader in mind.
2. Profile Summary - Instead of including an objective at the beginning of your resume, write
a brief profile summary that's geared toward what the employer needs. An objective is a
candidate-focused statement that won't capture the reader's attention, says certified
professional resume writer Cindy Billington. A profile summary, on the other hand, is a
succinct statement that tells the reader who you are and what you have to offer. For
example, write, "Accomplished, enthusiastic marketing expert with more than 15 years of
experience in the non-profit sector, looking for marketing leadership opportunities.
Particularly interested in joining a charitable organization that serves a diverse community
and rewards leaders who bring creativity and innovation to marketing concepts."
3. Grammar - Use fragmented sentences when describing your work history. In fact, resumes
that contain full, grammatically correct sentences can be too wordy and narrative-like. In its
"Guidelines for Writing a Professional Resume," the University of Missouri advises job
seekers to use fragments instead of complete sentences. It also recommends using action
verbs to begin each fragment. "Monitored weekly sales reports to determine impact of
marketing campaigns" is an example of an effective sentence fragment. Good resumes have
short descriptions about the applicant's work history that use a variety of action verbs.
4. Verbiage - Resumes shouldn't contain so much technical language that a lay reader gets
lost. Anyone reading your resume should be able to understand what you do for a living.
Write plainly, yet not so plainly that your resume doesn't pique the reader's interest. After
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all, even seasoned recruiters may not be experts in every line of work.
5. Flow - Follow a resume format that flows seamlessly from introduction to areas of
expertise to work history to education and professional affiliations. Determine the order in
which you list education and work history, based on your career level. Recent graduates or
new entrants to the workforce should place education and academic qualifications above
work history. For seasoned workers with more than 15 or so years of experience, a good
format is one that showcases the applicant's professional competencies, instead of a lengthy
work history that might bore readers.

Procedure / Steps:

1. Explanation - How to write a better resume

Activity – study 5 sample resumes of different categories in work profile, education etc.

2. Explanation - How to write SOP

Activity – reading and understanding of a sample SOP

3. Explanation – To set Short Term goals and Long Term Goals

Activity – Each student talk in class about their short term and long term goals in life.

4. Explanation – what is SWOT analysis

Activity – SWOT analysis of self.

Input: Explanations and activities

Outcome: Resume, SOP, Goal, SWOT - 4 formal documents of each student , Knowing
strengths, weaknesses, goals of SELF.

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Exercise 2: Verbal and Non Verbal Communication

Aim / Objective: To learn the various formal ways of verbal (spoken, one to one, group, speech)
as well as non verbal ( gestures, email, chat, letters , ppts, sms) communication

Theory :

1. Why Presentation?

As engineers, it is vitally important to be able to communicate your thoughts and ideas

effectively, using a variety of tools and medium. You will need to develop and use this skill
throughout your years in University; when you attend job interviews and especially when you
start working in the big wide world. But, it is often said that engineers do not possess the ability
to communicate well, basically owing to lack of enough coaching and practice.

2. What Can A Presentation Do For You?

Your staff need to see evidence of decisive planning and leadership so that they are confident in
your position as their manager. They need to be motivated and inspired to undertaking the tasks
which you are presenting. Project leaders from other sections need to be persuaded of the merits
of your project and to provide any necessary support. Senior management should be impressed by
your skill and ability so that they provide the resources so that you and your team can get the job
done.

3. The Objectives of Communication

The single most important observation is that the objective of communication is not the
transmission but the reception. The whole preparation, presentation and content of a speech must
therefore be geared not to the speaker but to the audience. The presentation of a perfect project
plan is a failure if the audiences do not understand or are not persuaded of its merits.
4. The Plan : Preparing for presentation

It is difficult to over estimate the importance of careful preparation. Five minutes on the floor in
front of senior management could decide the acceptance of a proposal of several months duration
for the manager and the whole team. With so much potentially at stake, the presenter must
concentrate not only upon the facts being presented but upon the style, pace, tone and ultimately
tactics which should be used. As a rule of thumb for an average presentation, no less than 1 hour
should be spent in preparation for 5 minutes of talking.

a. Formulate your Objectives

b. Identify the Audience

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5. Structure

All speeches should have a definite structure or format; a talk without a structure is a woolly
mess. If you do not order your thoughts into a structured manner, the audience will not be able to
follow them. Having established the aim of your presentation you should choose the most
appropriate structure to achieve it.

However, the structure must not get in the way of the main message. If it is too complex, too
convoluted or simply too noticeable the audience will be distracted. If a section is unnecessary to
the achievement of your fundamental objectives, pluck it out.

a. Sequential Argument

b. Hierarchical Decomposition

c. Question Orientated

d. Pyramid

e. The Meaty Sandwich

6. The Beginning

It is imperative to plan your beginning carefully; there are five main elements:

a. Get their attention

b. Establish a theme
c. Present a structure
d. Create a rapport

7. The Ending

The final impression you make on the audience is the one they will remember. Thus it is worth
planning your last few sentences with extreme care.

8. Visual Aids

Most people expect visual reinforcement for any verbal message being delivered. While it would
be unfair to blame television entirely for this, it is useful to understand what the audience is
accustomed to, for two reasons: firstly, you can meet their expectations using the overhead
projector, a slide show, or even a video presentation; secondly, if you depart from the framework
of a square picture flashed before their eyes, and use a different format, then that novelty will be
most arresting.

9. The Delivery : the verbal and non-verbal aspects

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Whatever you say and whatever you show; it is you, yourself which will remain the focus of the
audience's attention. If you but strut and fret your hour upon the stage and then are gone, no-one
will remember what you said. The presenter has the power both to kill the message and to
enhance it a hundred times beyond its worth. Your job as a manager is to use the potential of the
presentation to ensure that the audience is motivated and inspired rather than disconcerted or
distracted. There are five key facets of the human body which deserve attention in presentation
skills: the eyes, the voice, the expression, the appearance, and how you stand.

a. The Eyes
b. The Voice
c. Expression
d. Appearance
e. Stance

10. The Techniques of Speech

Every speaker has a set of "tricks of the trade" which he or she holds dear - the following are a
short selection of such advice taken from various sources.

a. Make an impression
b. Repeat, Repeat
c. Draw a Sign
d. Draw a Picture
e. Jokes
f. Short and Sweet
g. The Narrative

11. Rehearsal

There is no substitute for rehearsal. You can do it in front of a mirror, or to an empty theatre. In
both cases, you should accentuate your gestures and vocal projection so that you get used to the
sound and sight of yourself. Do not be put off by the mirror - remember: you see a lot less of
yourself than your friends do.

12. Relaxation

If you get nervous just before the show, either concentrate on controlling your breathing or
welcome the extra adrenaline. The good news is that the audience will never notice your nerves
nearly as much as you think. Similarly, if you dry-up in the middle - smile, look at your notes,
and take your time. The silence will seem long to you, but less so to the audience.

13. Conclusion

Once the speech is over and you have calmed down, you should try to honestly evaluate your
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performance. Either alone, or with the help of a friend in the audience, decide what was the least
successful aspect of your presentation and resolve to concentrate on that point in the next talk you
give. If it is a problem associated with the preparation, then deal with it there; if it is a problem
with your delivery, write yourself a reminder note and put it in front of you at the next talk.

Procedure / Steps :

Explanation - How to speak/present one self and basics of verbal as well as nonverbal
communication skills, email etiquettes etc.

Activity – Extempore on current national/international social/sports/political/other issues. (

duration : 3 min each)

Input : knowledge about verbal nonverbal communication

Outcome : An extempore delivered by every student in the batch and a document for the same,
Increase in Confidence related to expressing views and speaking in public.

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Exercise 3: Personal Interview and Group Discussion

Aim / Objective: To learn how PI and GDs are conducted and how to prepare for them.

Theory :

1. Types of Interviews

a. Panel Interview/Board Interview

b. Impromptu Interviews
c. Second Interviews or Follow-Up Interviews
d. Dinner Interviews
e. Telephone Interviews
f. Group Interviews

2. The Personal Interview

Interview is an opportunity for both the employer and the applicant to gather information. The
employer wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge, self-confidence, and
motivation necessary for the job. At this point you can be confident that the employer saw
something of interest in your resume. He or she also wants to determine whether or not you will
fit in with the organization's current employees and philosophy. Similarly, you will want to
evaluate the position and the organization, and determine if they will fit into your career plans.
The interview is a two-way exchange of information. It is an opportunity for both parties to
market themselves. The employer is selling the organization to you, and you are marketing your
skills, knowledge, and personality to the employer.

3. Interview Preparation
Research is a critical part of preparing for an interview. If you haven't done your homework, it is
going to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself, the occupation, the
organization, and questions you might ask at the end of the interview.
a. Step 1: Know Yourself
b. Step 2: Know the Occupation
c. Step 3: Know the Organization
d. Step 4: Prepare Questions

4. Dressing Right for The Interview

Your application's fate depends not just on how well you answer the interview questions, but also
on how well you project yourself physically. The right dressing is a measure of the seriousness
that you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks if he considers an

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event important enough.

A. Men
Long - sleeved shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color for shirts.
The color is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also acceptable: pale shades such as
beige, blue, and other pastels.
Tuck in the shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an
interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy your
executive image.
B. Women
Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets. Sleeveless
shirts should be rejected. Short-sleeved blouses are okay when they are tailor-cut or have
features such as a sports collar or double breast design to create a business-like look. Skirts
can either be long provided it does not create a Cinderella or barn-dance look or short
where it falls no shorter than two inches from the knee. Nothing too revealing, please!

C. Etiquette that you should have

Remember that you are actually selling an entire package and the packaging in this case, is as
relevant as the product inside. Ultimately you are presenting yourself as a valuable professional to
a new job environment. And you can't do that without minding the basic interview etiquette to get
you ahead of the rest of the pack.
a. ENTRANCE AND INTRODUCTION
b. ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE

D. Types of Interview Questions

Interviewers use five different types of questions - directive, non-directive, hypothetical, behavior
descriptive, and stress. Being aware of the different types can help you in the preparation stage as
you build your skills inventory. It may also help you focus in on exactly what is being asked and
what the employer is looking for in specific questions.
a. Directive Questions
Example: "What skills do you have that relate to this position?"
b. Non-Directive Questions
"Tell me about yourself."
c. Hypothetical or Scenario Questions
Example: "Suppose you are working your first day in our laboratory, and a fire at nearby
work station breaks out. What would you do?"
d. Behavior Descriptive or Behavioral Questions
Example: "Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your
performance."

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e. Stress Questions
Some questions will surprise you and possibly make you feel uncomfortable during an
interview. For
Example:” Which do you prefer, fruits or vegetables?"

E. GROUP DISCUSSION:
A group discussion (GD) is a simulated exercise, where you cannot suddenly put up a show, since
the evaluators will see through you easily. In this page you can find tips on GD and how to handle
them to ensure a positive outcome.

Procedure / Steps :

Explanation – know how’s of a GD and PI

Activity – GD on any current issue

Input : PI and GD Know how’s

Outcome : A document on any one of the given GD topic , know how’s of a GD, Increase in
confidence with respect to the group discussions and assertiveness, basic preparations for appearing
PIs for e.g. dressing right !

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Exercise 4: Team Building

Aim / Objective: To learn the basics of Team building and how to apply them in IT industry
Project Team.

Theory :

1. Johari Window

The Johari Window model is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-
awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The Johari
Window tool can also be used to assess and improve a group's relationship with other
groups. The Johari Window model was developed by American psychologists Joseph
Luft and Harry Ingham in the 1950's, while researching group dynamics. Today the
Johari Window model is especially relevant due to modern emphasis on, and influence
of, 'soft' skills, behavior, empathy, cooperation, inter-group development and
interpersonal development.

The Johari Window's four regions, (areas, quadrants, or perspectives) are as follows, showing the
quadrant numbers and commonly used names:

a. Johari Window Four Regions:

i. what is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others - open
area, open self, free area, free self, or 'the arena'
ii. what is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others know - blind area,
blind self, or 'blind spot'
iii. what the person knows about him/herself that others do not know - hidden area,
hidden self, avoided area, avoided self or 'facade'
iv. what is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others -
unknown area or unknown self

2. Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Motivational Model

Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs model in 1940-50's USA. Maslow's
Hierarchy of Needs remains valid today for understanding human motivation and for
management training. Abraham Maslow's key book, Motivation and Personality, was first
published in 1954 (second edition 1970). Maslow was born in New York in 1908 and
died in 1970, although various publications appear in Maslow's name in later years.
Maslow's PhD in psychology in 1934 at the University of Wisconsin formed the basis of
his motivational research, initially studying rhesus monkeys. Maslow later moved to New
York's Brooklyn College. Maslow's original five-stage Hierarchy of Needs model is
attributable to Maslow; later versions are not. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs was later
variously developed by other people.

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3. Emotional Intelligence Theory (EQ - Emotional Quotient)

Emotional Intelligence - EQ - is a relatively recent behavioral model, rising to prominence with

Daniel Goleman's 1995 Book called 'Emotional Intelligence'. The early Emotional Intelligence
theory was originally developed during the 1970's and 80's by the work and writings of
psychologists Howard Gardner (Harvard), Peter Salovey (Yale) and John Mayer (New Hampshire).
Emotional Intelligence is increasingly relevant to organizational development and developing
people because the EQ principles provide a new way to understand and assess people's behaviors,
management styles, attitudes, interpersonal skills, and potential. Emotional Intelligence is an
important consideration in human resources planning, job profiling, recruitment interviewing and
selection, management development, customer relations and customer service, and more.

• emotional intelligence - two aspects

o Understanding yourself, your goals, intentions, responses, behavior and all.

o Understanding others, and their feelings.
• emotional intelligence - the five domains

Goleman identified the five 'domains' of EQ as:

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o Knowing your emotions.

o Managing your own emotions.
o Motivating yourself.
o Recognizing and understanding other people's emotions.
o Managing relationships, i.e., managing the emotions of others.

4. Bruce Tuckman's 1965 Forming Storming Norming Performing Team-Development

Model

Dr Bruce Tuckman published his Forming Storming Norming Performing model in 1965.
He added a fifth stage, Adjourning, in the 1970's. The Forming Storming Norming
Performing theory is an elegant and helpful explanation of team development and
behavior. Similarities can be seen with other models, such as Tannenbaum and Schmidt
Continuum and especially with Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership® model,
developed about the same time.

Procedure / Steps :

Explanation - How to build a good Team , How to understand needs in the Team, how to work
and give positive outcome while working inside the Team, Leadership skills.

Activity –Team building activity on following topics – Green India, Green IT, Domestic violence,
India tomorrow, A day on the MIT campus etc. ( duration : 1hr.30 min each Team )

Input: knowledge about team building

Outcome: An activity sheet generated by each Team in group og 4 to 5 students on the above
mentioned topics in the mentioned duration. Also presentation of 5 min by every Team Leader on that
project. Experiencing the Team spirit, working for a task deadline along with randomly chosen
people in a group, inculcating Leadership qualities in self.

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Exercise 5: Stress Management with Yoga

Aim / Objective: To understand Stress! , To learn how to deal with it. Here Yoga technique is
given in the write up but we do conduct and elaborate on other small but important life techniques for
managing stress in the session.

Theory:

1.2 Workplace stress is a serious employment issue that eats away at profits, reduces efficiency
and makes good staff hand in their notice...

Just look at these statements:

• Stress affects one in five of the working population from the newest recruit in the post room to
the board of directors.
• It is now the single biggest cause of sickness in the UK.
• Over 105 million days are lost to stress each year – costing UK employers £1.24 billion
• Are stress levels in your organization becoming a risk management issue?
• Do you know the cultural & commercial cost of stress and absence to your organization?
• Are you aware that for serious infringements responsible managers could face up to two years
in jail.
• How is stress impacting productivity and efficiency?

1. What is Yoga?
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the
oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and
spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The
Ancient Yogis had a profound understanding of man's essential nature and of what he needs to
live in harmony with himself and his environment. They perceived the physical body as a vehicle,
with the mind as driver, the soul as man's true identity, and action, emotion and intelligence as the
three forces which pull the body-vehicle. In order for these to be integrated, these three forces
must be in balance. Taking into account the interrelationship between body and mind, the Yogis
formulated a unique method for maintaining this balance - a method that combines all the
movements you need for physical health with the Breathing and Meditation techniques that
ensure peace of mind.

2. The System of Yoga:

One basic assumption of the Yoga Sutras is that the body and the mind are part of one continuum
of existence, the mind being more subtle than the body. This is the foundation of the yogic view
of health. The interaction of body and mind is the central concern of the entire science.

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a. Asanas or Yoga postures:

Postures are gentle stretching movements designed to help balance the mind and body. The
Yoga Postures are designed to rejuvenate the brain, spine, glands and internal organs. They
work by increasing the blood and prana supply to these areas and by stimulating them with
a gentle squeezing action. The asanas were designed with economy of time and effort in
mind. Most of them work on more than one aspect of the body at the same time. For
example, the twist asana benefits the spine, adrenal glands, liver, pancreas and kidneys. The
Yoga Asanas produce their beneficial effect on the organs and glands in three ways:

The position of the asana causes an increase in blood circulation to the specific target organ
or gland.

b. Pranayam or the breathing techniques:

Pranayamas are specially developed breathing techniques. Yoga breathing produces a huge
storage of energy in the solar plexus area. This will cause the body to radiate vitality and, if
any sickness is developing, the body can call upon some of this energy reserve to combat
the disease. Yoga breathing also improves brain function (intelligence and memory), as
well as increasing the elimination of toxins from the system. The total effect of Yoga
asanas and breathing is to produce a state of high vitality and rejuvenation.
c. Meditation and positive thinking:
The benefits of the postures are greater if you concentrate the healing action where it is
needed. You can incorporate a variety of affirmations, meditation/concentration practices
and visualization. It take some persistent repetitions to get the desired result. Typical
affirmations that can be used are:

• I am at my desired weight (for dieters)

• My lungs are pure and clean (for smokers who want to get out of the habit)
• I feel continuously alert, vital and useful (general), etc.

3. Health benefits of yoga:

a. Yoga for men :

Yoga can help Men deal with stressful events from work or school, finances, family issues, and
a lot of other things.

b. Yoga for women

Yoga can help Women cope with stress and hormonal changes, and to generally develop
themselves. The Practice of Yoga can alleviate Menstrual Pain and hassles caused by
Dysmenorrheal and Premenstrual Syndrome. Yoga also helps women to cope with the stages
associated with hormonal, physical and psychological changes, like pregnancy and menopause.

c. Yoga for the elderly:

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Growing Old is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments that are linked to
Old Age like Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Hypertension. Regular practice of yoga helps in
prevention as well as cure of these ailments.

d. Yoga for mental health:

Mental health is the balance of all aspects of life - the social, physical, spiritual and emotional.
It is the psychological state of well-being. Yoga concentrates on the same, thus improving one’s
mental health. It also helps fight anxiety and depression.

e. Yoga for physical health:

Regular practice of yoga makes one physically fit by strengthening one’s various systems, thus
helping alleviate various physical disorders such as respiratory allergies and cold, hypertension,
diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, migraine, headache, heartburn and Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, asthma and bronchitis, arthritis and so on

Procedure / Steps: Explanation – to know stress exists, types of stress and techniques to reduce the
stress.

Activity – singing, clapping, exercises, other stress bursting activities

Input: A two our session on stress management , Art of illness PPT, how to reduce anxiety.
Outcome: A stress free class ! All students grasp some things to deal with their internal/ external
stress.

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Exercise 6: Book Review and PPT

Aim / Objective: To learn how to make a formal power point presentation. To review a book and
present it in form of power point slides.

Theory:
• A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on
content, style, and merit. A book review can be a primary source opinion piece, summary
review or scholarly review.[2] Books can be reviewed for printed periodicals, magazines
and newspapers, as school work, or for book web sites on the Internet. A book review's
length may vary from a single paragraph to a substantial essay. Such a review may
evaluate the book on the basis of personal taste. Reviewers may use the occasion of a
book review for a display of learning or to promulgate their own ideas on the topic of a
fiction or non-fiction work.

There are a number of journals devoted to book reviews, and reviews are indexed
in databases such as Book Review Index and Kirkus Reviews; but many more book
reviews can be found in newspaper databases as well as scholarly databases such as Arts
and Humanities Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index and discipline-specific
databases

• Top Ten Slide Tips: PowerPoint uses slides with a horizontal or “Landscape”
orientation. The software was designed as a convenient way to display graphical
information that would support the speaker and supplement the presentation. The slides
themselves were never meant to be the “star of the show” (the star, of course, is your
audience). People came to hear you and be moved or informed (or both) by you and your
message. Don’t let your message and your ability to tell a story get derailed by slides that
are unnecessarily complicated, busy, or full of what Edward Tufte calls “chart junk.”
Nothing in your slide should be superfluous, ever. Your slides should have plenty of
“white space” or “negative space.” Do not feel compelled to fill empty areas on your
slide with your logo or other unnecessary graphics or text boxes that do not contribute to
better understanding.

1. Keep it Simple - The less clutter you have on your slide, the more powerful your
visual message will become.
2. Limit bullet points & text - Your presentation is for the benefit of the audience.
But boring an audience with bullet point after bullet point is of little benefit to
them. Which brings us to the issue of text. The best slides may have no text at all.
This may sound insane given the dependency of text slides today, but the best
PowerPoint slides will be virtually meaningless with out the narration (that is
you). Remember, the slides are meant to support the narration of the speaker, not
make the speaker superfluous. Many people often say something like this: “Sorry
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Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

I missed your presentation. I hear it was great. Can you just send me your
PowerPoint slides?” But if they are good slides, they will be of little use without
you. Instead of a copy of your PowerPoint slides, it is far better to prepare a
written document which highlights your content from the presentation and
expands on that content. Audiences are much better served receiving a detailed,
written handout as a takeaway from the presentation, rather than a mere copy of
your PowerPoint slides. If you have a detailed handout or publication for the
audience to be passed out after your talk, you need not feel compelled to fill your
PowerPoint slides with a great deal of text.
3. Limit transitions & builds (animation) - Use object builds and slide transitions
judiciously. Object builds (also called animations), such as bullet points, should
not be animated on every slide. Listeners will get bored very quickly if they are
asked to endure slide after slide of animation. For transitions between slides, use
no more than two-three different types of transition effects and do not place
transition effects between all slides
4. Use high-quality graphics - You can take your own high-quality photographs with
your digital camera, purchase professional stock photography, or use the plethora
of high-quality images available on line (be cautious of copyright issues,
however). Never simply stretch a small, low-resolution photo to make it fit your
layout – doing so will degrade the resolution even further. Avoid using
PowerPoint Clip Art or other cartoonish line art.
5. Have a visual theme, but avoid using PowerPoint templates - You clearly need a
consistent visual theme throughout your presentation, but most templates included
in PowerPoint have been seen by your audience countless times (and besides, the
templates are not all that great to begin with). Your audience expects a unique
presentation with new (at least to them) content, otherwise why would they be
attending your talk? No audience will be excited about a cookie-cutter
presentation, and we must therefore shy away from any supporting visuals, such
as the ubiquitous PowerPoint Design Template, that suggests your presentation is
formulaic or prepackaged. You can make your own background templates which
will be more tailored to your needs
6. Use appropriate charts –Pie charts, bar charts, line charts.
7. Use color well - Color evokes feelings. Color is emotional. The right color can
help persuade and motivate. Studies show that color usage can increase interest
and improve learning comprehension and retention. You do not need to be an
expert in color theory, but it’s good for business professionals to know at least a
bit on the subject. Colors can be divided into two general categories: Cool (such
as blue and green) and Warm (such as orange and red). Cool colors work best for
backgrounds as they appear to recede away from us into the background. Warm
colors generally work best for objects in the foreground (such as text) because
they appear to be coming at us.
8. Choose your fonts well - Fonts communicate subtle messages in and of
themselves, which is why you should choose fonts deliberately. Use the same font
set throughout your entire slide presentation, and use no more than two
complementary fonts (e.g., Arial and Arial Bold). Make sure you know the
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difference between a Serif font (e.g., Times New Roman) and a Sans-Serif font
(Helvetica or Arial). Serif fonts were designed to be used in documents filled with
lots of text. Serif fonts are said to be easier to read at small point sizes, but for on
screen presentations the serifs tend to get lost due to the relatively low resolution
of projectors. San-serif fonts are generally best for PowerPoint presentations, but
try to avoid the ubiquitous Helvetica.
9. Use video or audio- Use video and audio when appropriate. Using video clips to
show concrete examples promotes active cognitive processing, which is the
natural way people learn.
10. Spend time in the slide sorter- people comprehend better when information is
presented in small chunks or segments. By getting out of the Slide View and into
the Slide Sorter view, you can see how the logical flow of your presentation is
progressing. In this view you may decide to break up one slide into, say, two-
three slides so that your presentation has a more natural and logical flow or
process. In this view you will be able to capture more of the gestalt of your entire
presentation from the point of view of your audience.
Procedure / Steps :

Explanation – On how to make PPTs and review a book.

Activity – To see and analyze a set of sample, different types of PPTs

Input: A one hour session on how to review a book and a two hour session on how to make PPT slides.

Outcome: Formal PPTs on the book selected by students in a group of

two. Art of reviewing and making PPT.

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Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

Exercise 7: Technical Report writing/ Email etiquettes/ Language Lab/

Letter writing

Aim / Objective: To learn how the technical Report writing/ Email etiquettes/ Language
Lab/ Letter writing be proposed

Theory: The sign-off depends on the salutation. As a broad rule, if you addressed the letter to
'Dear Mr Debrett' the sign off is 'yours sincerely'. If addressed to 'Dear Sir/Madam', then 'Yours
faithfully' is correct. For more personal correspondence, letters can begin with something
informal such as 'Dear John'; sign-off such as 'With love', 'Best wishes' or 'Love from' are usual.

As a general rule, a thank-you letter should always be handwritten and sent within a week
to ten days of an event or receipt of a present.

• Thank You for presents

Thank-you letters are necessary to acknowledge presents given for Christmas, christenings,
weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Refer to the present directly and include some details to
personalize the tone of the letter. Remember that in our digital age, a handwritten letter is always
appreciated so, for maximum impact, make the effort to write promptly.

• Children thank you

It is appropriate for parents to respond on behalf of their offspring before the child is able to
write. The child should write their own, however, as soon as they can. Children should be
encouraged to specifically refer to the present in the letter, and make a detailed comment about it
('Thank you for the teddy you gave me for my birthday. I have named him Edward'). An extra
sentence of topical news about the child's life adds a personal touch (‘for my birthday treat, I am
going to the cinema with my friends'). Traditionally, children should always write a thank-you
letter for presents, but it is becoming more permissible for children to say thank you in person if
the giver is there when the present is actually opened. Much will depend on the expectations of
particular families or individuals.

• Thank you after an event

When thanking someone after an event, the form of the invitation signals the appropriate format
of a thank you. Engraved invitation cards require a formal thank you letter. An at Home card
suggests a short letter or note. Traditionally addressed to the hostess, nowadays letters can be
addressed to the host, hostess or couple as appropriate. A verbal, telephone or email invitation
needs only a telephone call of thanks after the event; telephone and email are interchangeable if
all parties use both frequently.
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• Other thank you

Thank-you letters should also be sent after being a guest in someone else's home, for example
after staying for a weekend or Christmas. Support during a key event or task - bereavement,
wedding, reference for a job - should also be acknowledged with a brief letter of thanks.
Nowadays, however, email is generally acceptable for brief and informal thank you.

A letter of condolence should be sent promptly after the death announcement. It should be
well thought out and appropriate to the relationship with the deceased or their family.

• Practicalities: Letters are written to the individual closest to the deceased; this is
usually a spouse, partner, parent or sibling. Some people may write to the family member of
their own generation they know best, or indeed to more than one person. The letter should be
always be handwritten and never be typed. Email should not be used, except in international
circumstances. It is best to opt for classic stationery such as good quality writing paper or a
neutral blank greetings card; special condolence cards can seem less thoughtful.
2. Formal Lunches and Dinners

Invitations to these events are engraved on card of good texture, usually about W6 x H4½ inches
(15 x 11 cm) in size, or slightly larger if necessary. They are prepared in the name of both the
host and hostess. If time is short they may be printed, rather than engraved. The most traditional
and formal style is ‘Request(s) the pleasure of the company of…’. Depending on the style of the
invitation, the guests’ names may be handwritten on the next line. Alternatively, guests’ names
are handwritten in the top left-hand corner. In this instance, the invitation would read ‘Request
the pleasure of your company’. If the luncheon or dinner is to take place at an address other than
that to which the replies are to be sent - at a hotel, for example - this is stated on a line after the
date. The time may be placed either after the date or at the bottom right-hand corner before, or in
place of, the dress code.

Procedure / Steps :
Explanation – On how to write formal letters, email/chat/sms etiquettes, for

some batches if the expertise is available we do take language labs too.

Activity – To see and analyze a set of sample letters and to write a formal letter of resignation/joining
for e.g.

Input: A two hour session on how to write letters.

Outcome: Formal letter and understanding email/sms/chat etiquettes. Art of writing letters.

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Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

Exercise 8: Assertivity Test and Score.

Aim / Objective: How to say NO

Theory: Assertiveness is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being
aggressive. In the field of psychology and psychotherapy, it is a learnable skill and mode of
communication. Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines assertiveness as: "a form of behavior
characterized by a confident declaration or affirmation of a statement without need of proof; this
affirms the person's rights or point of view without either aggressively threatening the rights of
another (assuming a position of dominance) or submissively permitting another to ignore or deny
one's rights or point of view". Assertive communication involves respect for the boundaries of
oneself and others. It also presumes an interest in the fulfillment of needs and wants through
cooperation.
Techniques of assertiveness can vary widely. Manuel Smith, in his 1975 book When I Say No, I
Feel Guilty, offered some of the following behaviors:

• Broken record : The "broken record" technique consists of simply repeating your
requests or your refusals every time you are met with resistance. The term comes from
vinyl records, the surface of which when scratched would lead the needle of a record
player to loop over the same few seconds of the recording indefinitely. "As with a broken
record, the key to this approach is repetition ... where your partner will not take no for an
answer."A disadvantage with this technique is that when resistance continues, your
requests may lose power every time you have to repeat them. If the requests are repeated
too often, it can backfire on the authority of your words. In these cases, it is necessary to
have some sanctions on hand.
• Fogging: Fogging consists of finding some limited truth to agree with in what an
antagonist is saying. More specifically, one can agree in part or agree in principle.
• Negative inquiry: Negative inquiry consists of requesting further, more specific criticism.
• Negative assertion: Negative assertion is agreement with criticism without letting up
demand.
• I-statements: I-statements can be used to voice one's feelings and wishes from a personal
position without expressing a judgment about the other person or blaming one's feelings
on them.

Procedure / Steps:

Explanation – On what is Assertiveness and difference between it and

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Department of Civil Engineering SOFT SKILLS LAB

Aggressiveness.

Activity – A role play conduction per batch with student volunteers for a case

“In restaurant served stale food and students reaction to it”

Input: Two hour session on assertivity explanation , conduction of self scoring assertivity test and a
role play per batch.

Outcome: Self assessed Assertivity Test score for each student. Art of saying “NO”.

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