Unicorn
Opening the Mind | Warm-Up Questions
Read each question carefully. Answer in complete sentences
Why do some leaders maintain authority even when their position is largely symbolic?
How can societal expectations reinforce or undermine an individual’s perception of power?
What are the potential consequences when authority is asserted without clear support from others?
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Snapshot of Reality | Situational Lens
Read the situation once. Imagine you are the student. Pay attention to your instinctive reaction
A senior executive occupies the highest-ranking position in a large organization but has limited direct interaction with staff. The executive continues to enforce formal protocols, require ceremonial acknowledgment of rank, and insist on adherence to hierarchical procedures despite minimal operational involvement. Subordinates comply inconsistently, and informal feedback suggests uncertainty about the necessity of these measures. The executive experiences frustration at perceived lack of respect while simultaneously depending on the acknowledgment of others to validate their authority.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Language of Nuance | Vocabulary & Expressions
Read each item carefully. Say it aloud once. Then write one paragraph using at least four of the expressions
Legitimacy – the quality of being accepted as valid or justified.
Sentence: The committee questioned the legitimacy of the new policy because it had not been formally ratified.Hierarchy – a system in which people or groups are ranked according to status or authority.
Sentence: Understanding the corporate hierarchy helps employees determine the appropriate channels for communication.Compliance – the act of conforming to rules, standards, or requests.
Sentence: Regulatory compliance requires that all departments submit accurate reports on time.Endorsement – formal approval or support for an action, policy, or authority.
Sentence: The project received full endorsement from senior management, which encouraged team participation.Dominance – the state of having control, influence, or power over others.
Sentence: Dominance in decision-making often depends on both expertise and perceived credibility.Assertion – the confident and forceful expression of a belief or right.
Sentence: His assertion of procedural authority clarified responsibilities but also created tension.Recognition – the acknowledgment of the existence, validity, or status of someone or something.
Sentence: Recognition by peers reinforced the leader’s influence within the organization.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
The Core Text | Reading
Read the article slowly. Focus on the writer’s argument and examples, not on speed.
In a midsize organization, the chief executive officer maintained strict adherence to hierarchical protocol despite limited daily engagement with staff. The executive’s behavior reflected a belief that authority must be constantly validated to remain effective. Employees, however, varied in their response. Some complied automatically, following standard procedures, while others offered only partial acknowledgment, questioning whether strict enforcement of status was necessary.
This uneven response affected organizational dynamics. Meetings required repeated clarification of roles and responsibilities, and routine decisions occasionally became delayed. The executive interpreted partial compliance as disrespect, which increased frustration and led to more assertive directives. Conversely, when subordinates recognized achievements and followed formal channels, tension decreased, and the executive’s sense of legitimacy strengthened.
Over time, patterns emerged. Authority that depended exclusively on symbolic recognition was less stable than authority reinforced by performance, endorsement, and consistent recognition of organizational contributions. Employees were more willing to comply when expectations were transparent, and when the executive demonstrated practical leadership rather than relying solely on ceremonial control. The organization’s overall efficiency improved once the executive incorporated structured feedback mechanisms and combined formal assertion with acknowledgment of staff expertise. This case illustrates that power is socially constructed: it exists in interaction, is reinforced through recognition, and requires both symbolic and practical validation to sustain influence.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Beneath the Surface | Discussion Questions
Choose two or three questions. Support your answers with examples, observations, or comparisons.
Why does authority that depends solely on symbolic recognition risk instability?
How does formal endorsement from subordinates influence the perception of legitimacy in leadership?
What responsibilities do leaders have to balance assertion with operational involvement to maintain influence?
How can inconsistent recognition of authority affect the efficiency and cohesion of an organization?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Turning Inward | Reflection Questions
Answer honestly. Short answers are acceptable, but aim for clarity and insight.
When in a leadership role, do you rely more on position or on demonstrated competence to influence others?
How do you respond when your authority is challenged or inconsistently acknowledged by colleagues or team members?
What practical step could you take to enhance both legitimacy and recognition in your own professional context?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Precision Matters | G-Notes
Read the structures below.
1. Advanced Grammar Focus: Subjunctive Mood for Hypothetical or Desired Outcomes
If the executive were to combine formal assertion with practical engagement, the organization would experience greater stability.
It is essential that all team members follow established protocols to maintain clear lines of authority.
Why this matters:
The subjunctive mood allows advanced learners to express hypothetical, desired, or counterfactual situations with precision. At the C1 level, it is particularly useful in academic and professional writing to convey recommendations, expectations, or conditional outcomes.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.