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Key to success in the performance tests in ‘observation’. GESTAULT School of psychology lays
great stress on observation. In order to do well in the outdoor tasks observe the following :—
1. Observe the field, obstacles, and colours.
2. Observe the load and the helping materials. Notice their structural features, weight and shape.
Is it possible to make a cantilever bridge using the helping material ? Will a lasso serve the
needed purpose ?
3. Also observe the physical strength, agility and stamina of the group members.

4. While observing the field, quickly make a mental evaluation of possible routes and quickly
decide the most practical/feasible alternative.
According to GESTAULT School of thought in psychology, the solution appears suddenly.
Suddenness is opposed to ‘trial and error’. Your mental efficacy/strength lies in the time consumed to
arrive at a solution (quickness). Trial and error may be costly in terms of time and while racing against
it, you can ill afford delay.
Observation of the situation provides vital clues for the solutions. If you observe your helping
material closely, you might find something rather useful. The other important thing is to
discuss your ideas. Word your ideas without any inhibition. You will notice that a short
discussion always stimulates the mind to think fast and far.
Value of Tolerance to the weak, is wonderfully witnessed in the outdoor tasks. No batch consists of
only ‘supermen’ who physically and mentally surpass the common folk. Weaker people are bound to
exist. A bright, energetic and dashing person may find the weak person a liability, slow and irritating
due to his tardiness. Sometimes due to mental limitations, lack of ideas, immaturity or simply obstinate
nature, such person proves himself as obstruction to the progress of the group.
But to a mature leader, there is nothing to feel disturbed or irritated. Presence of people of
varied capabilities is only natural and to be tolerated. If a physically weak boy is unable to
holdfast in a critical position of an obstacle, he is not to be ridiculed or discarded. Your
emotional and social intelligence is to put to acid test in such situation. Remember, everyone is
an integral part of the group irrespective of his mark of being good, bad or ugly.

What is desirable is to be tolerant and kind to such members. Encourage and boost their faith in
themselves. After all a good leader also motivates his team members to strive and achieve. The long and
short of the matter is–the weak are to be cared and carried along if the cohesiveness of the group is
to be maintained. You will do well to pay heed to this piece of my advice. Any emotional reaction
or expression of intolerance to the weaker members will show you in poor light.

Lesson 24
Final Group Task (FGT)

Final Group Task is final assessment of the observations made by the GTO in respect of all the
candidates of the batch. The GTO has seen your group behaviour, leadership behaviour (through PGT,
HGT AND CT) and individual capabilities (through IOs and Lecturette). Armed with these inputs the
GTO will put you through the mil l of FGT as the final confirmation.
The FGT is by no means any new or different task. It is, for all technical purposes, is like any
Progressive Group Task only. Rules of the game are the same. Structures are similar. No doubt, the
purpose is different. Its implicit purpose is the assimilation of observations about every candidate of the
batch.