Unicorn
Opening the Mind | Warm-Up Questions
Read each question carefully. Answer in complete sentences
Why do some individuals prioritize their own work while dismissing the contributions of others?
How can ego influence the way people evaluate importance or relevance?
What are the consequences of consistently applying self-centered judgment in professional setti
© 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.
Snapshot of Reality | Situational Lens
Read the situation once. Imagine you are the student. Pay attention to your instinctive reaction
A senior staff member consistently presents personal projects as highly valuable while minimizing the contributions of colleagues. During team discussions, the individual redirects attention to personal achievements and evaluates others’ work as lacking significance. This pattern continues despite evidence of team members producing equally important results. The environment becomes increasingly imbalanced, with reduced collaboration and growing dissatisfaction among staff.
© 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
Narcissism – excessive focus on oneself and one’s own importance.
Sentence: Narcissism can limit an individual’s ability to recognize the contributions of others.Bias – a tendency to favor one perspective over others without objective justification.
Sentence: Evaluation bias affected the fairness of the performance review process.Dismissal – the act of rejecting or disregarding something as unimportant.
Sentence: Dismissal of alternative ideas reduced the quality of group decision-making.Self-importance – an inflated sense of one’s own value or significance.
Sentence: Self-importance interfered with effective collaboration in the department.Objectivity – the ability to evaluate information without personal influence or distortion.
Sentence: Maintaining objectivity is essential for accurate assessment of performance.Validation – recognition or acceptance that something is valuable or correct.
Sentence: External validation can influence how individuals perceive their own work.Distortion – a misrepresentation or alteration of reality.
Sentence: Distortion of facts led to incorrect conclusions about project 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.
The Core Text | Reading
Read the article slowly. Focus on the writer’s argument and examples, not on speed.
In a research department, a senior analyst consistently evaluated personal work as highly significant while assigning limited value to the contributions of colleagues. This pattern of narcissism influenced team dynamics and decision-making processes. During formal reviews, the analyst demonstrated clear bias by emphasizing personal achievements and minimizing collaborative efforts.
The dismissal of other team members’ work reduced overall morale and limited open exchange of ideas. Despite objective evidence indicating that multiple projects contributed equally to organizational goals, the analyst maintained a perspective shaped by self-importance. This approach resulted in distortion of performance evaluations and weakened trust within the group.
Lack of objectivity affected the accuracy of feedback, leading to inconsistent validation of team contributions. As a result, employees became less engaged and more hesitant to share input during discussions. The environment shifted from collaborative to competitive, with individuals focusing on recognition rather than collective success.
This case demonstrates that ego-driven evaluation can negatively influence professional outcomes. When narcissism overrides objective assessment, the organization experiences reduced efficiency, limited innovation, and weakened interpersonal relationships. Addressing such patterns requires structured evaluation systems that promote fairness, accountability, and balanced recognition of all contributions.
© 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 did narcissism affect the analyst’s ability to evaluate others’ work objectively?
How did bias and dismissal influence team performance and morale?
What systems can organizations implement to reduce distortion in evaluation processes?
How does lack of validation impact long-term employee engagement and collaboration?
© 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.
Have you ever observed or experienced self-centered evaluation in a professional setting?
How do you ensure objectivity when assessing your own work and the work of others?
What actions can you take to promote balanced validation within your team or environment?
© 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: Nominalization for Formal Academic Tone
The evaluation of team performance revealed significant bias in judgment.
The dismissal of collaborative contributions resulted in reduced organizational effectiveness.
Why this matters:
Nominalization allows complex actions and processes to be expressed as nouns, which increases formality and precision in academic and professional writing. At the C1 level, this structure supports clearer analysis and more concise presentation of ideas.
© 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.