CORPORATE RELATIONSHIPS – A conflict with the new regional manager

This Educational Dialogue brings some cool words & expressions used in the Corporate World + some other expressions used on a daily basis:

MICROMANAGE – CONTROL FREAK – BREATH DOWN ONE´S NECK – WHAT´S BUGGING YOU? – GET IT OFF ONE´S CHEST – BE PLAIN WITH SOMEONE

SCROLL DOWN FOR AUDIO SCRIPT

Dialogue comprehension – True, False or I don´t know?

Bill is the only one in his department who´s not happy about the new regional manager. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
Gary shows sympathy and is willing to help. True ___ False ___ I don´t know _
Bill is planning to change jobs soon. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
According to Gary the new regional manager needs to adapt to their corporate culture. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___

Focus on words & expressions – Find words or expressions in the dialogue that mean the same as:

Closely observing and controlling in a detailed manner the work of one´s employees: _____________
Putting pressure on me: ______________________________
Someone with an obsessive need to exert control over situations and people: ____
Annoying: __________________________
The values, behavior and dress code of a corporation: _______________________
Honest; open: _______________________________
Telling someone about something that has been annoying you: _______________
Is something wrong?; any problem?: ____________________________________
Prudently; showing good sense or good judgment:_________________________

Business vocabulary & expressions – Match the words and expressions below to the definitions.

IN CHARGE OF 2. DEMANDING 3. PLAY HARDBALL 4. PEER 5.BOSS AROUND 6. CALL THE SHOTS 7. EAGER BEAVER 8. LAID-BACK

A. Give orders; make the decisions. _______
B. A person who is hardworking and enthusiastic. _______
C. Responsible for. _______
E. Someone who belongs to the same professional group as another person. _______
F. Calm and relaxed; easy-going; not worried about things that need to be done. ____
G. Work or act aggressively, competitively or ruthlessly. _______
H. Requiring a lot of attention, time or resources. _______
I. Give orders, esp. in an unpleasant way; keep telling someone what to do. _______

Gap filling

BOSS AROUND LAID-BACK DEMANDING EAGER BEAVER

IN CHARGE OF PLAY HARDBALL PEER CALL THE SHOTS

1.“I need to talk to the person _______________ accounts payable please.”, said Mr. Smith over the phone.
2. “Is your new boss very _____________________?”, Carla asked a friend.
3. “The new manager has a very aggressive style. I don´t think he will put up with _______________ employees.”, said Martha to a coworker.
4. Some people believe you have to _________________ to move up the corporate ladder.
5. “If you want to talk business you have to see Nicholas. He´s the one who _________ around here.”, said Dave to the newcomer.
6. ”I wish you would stop ________________ me ____________.”, said Jill to a coworker.
7. Ronald seems to have a good rapport with his __________.
8. The new sales rep gets to work early every morning. He´s a real __________ .

Listen & Write & Answer – Write the questions you listen to and then choose the right answer.

_________________________________________________?
a. Sure, they have to wear a uniform every day.
b. No, I don´t have to wear a suit and a tie to work.
c. It´s pretty casual and I like it that way.
d. Yes, we do have casual Fridays.
_________________________________________________?
a. No, that won´t bother me at all.
b. Uh, OK, maybe I´d better get it off my chest.
c. Sure, all the bugs have been ironed out.
d. I agree. Doing that was a pain in the neck to say the least.

_________________________________________________?
a. Sorry, I haven´t finished the report yet.
b. I don´t know who he reports to.
c. Of course I did. I e-mailed it to you in the morning.
d. I do. We get along fine.

_________________________________________________?
a. He´s demanding, but he´s also very considerate and supportive.
b. Sure, I´ve already been introduced to him.
c. I did. I met him last Tuesday.
d. I don´t think I agree with his managing style.

Audio Script: CORPORATE RELATIONSHIPS – A conflict with the new regional manager

Gary: Hey Bill, how´s it going?
Bill: Not bad, I guess.
Gary: You don´t sound very enthusiastic. Is something the matter?
Bill: Well, since you´re asking me I guess I´ll just be plain with you.
Gary: Sure, getting it off your chest will do you good. So, what´s bugging you?
Bill: The new regional manager. I still haven´t gotten used to him breathing down my neck all the time, you know.
Gary: Really?
Bill: Yeah, he´s such a control freak! Honestly, I think he´s micromanaging way too much. I just wish he would use his time more wisely and let us work in peace.
Gary: I had no idea he was like that. Do the other people in your department feel the same?
Bill: Pretty much so.
Gary: You know Bill, the company he used to work for has a different corporate culture, and he´s been here for just a couple of weeks. Maybe he needs some more time to get used to the way we work here.
Bill: I guess!
Gary: I´ll tell you what, I´ll talk to our human resources director and see what we can do about this. I´m sure Michael can take care of it. He´s a great conflict manager.
Bill: Gee Gary, that would be great! Thanks a million!
Gary: You´re welcome Bill!

TALKING BUSINESS – Author: José Roberto A. Igreja/Disal Editora

José Roberto A. Igreja is the author and co-author of several ELT books, including:

LET´S TALK ABOUT IT! – The Ultimate ELT Conversation Book, now available on the Amazon stores of the following countries:

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If you live in Brazil the paperback is available at a discount price on UICLAP!
240 pages – 31 QR-CODES for the audio tracks (dialogues) “even the paperback comes with built-in technology”

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