It goes without saying that we have to bottle up negative emotions in addressing these issues so as not to destroy the friendly atmosphere and a team spirit but such discussions are a necessary evil providing us an opportunity to resolve workplace conflicts quickly and efficiently and improve employees’ performance.

Many people avoid difficult conversations in the workplace because it makes them feel uncomfortable but we should remember that the problems will not go away by themselves. In fact, avoiding the conversation may prolong or exacerbate the problem, damage productivity, reduce staff confidence in the manager’s leadership skills and finally lead to employee turnover.

The right phrases can help you find the correct way of managing difficult conversations

HOW TO OPEN A TOUGH CONVERSATION

We suggest starting with conciliatory gestures using the phrases like these:

1 Is this a good time to talk? There are a few things I’d like to go over with you.

2 I need to speak with you about something; please feel free to speak your mind, as well.

3 I’m at a loss as to what to do about this. Perhaps you have some ideas?

4 We all need to have difficult conversations at some point, and this is one of those times.

if it doesn’t help, don’t hesitate to be blunt

1 I ’m just going to come out and say it: We need to talk. Now.

2 In my office, five minutes.

3 I am going to talk, and you are going to listen, okay?

How to Express a Specific Concern

Try to be polite, at least at the beginning of the discussion

1 There’s just one thing that’s bothering me about this…

2 You know, it seems like there could be a potential problem here.

3 Let’s revisit this for a moment. I’m sure I’m not the only one with doubts.

4 I’d like to put everything out on the table, okay?

5 Ignoring a problem will only make it worse, don’t you agree?

if it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid of sounding less polite

1 I think we need to face reality: This is a problem.

2 Can we at least agree that there is a problem?

3 Am I the only person who is concerned?

HOW TO GIVE UNSOLICITED ADVICE

We suggest trying to be gentle

1 May I offer my opinion? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.

2 I know nobody asked, but I’d like to weigh on this if that’s okay.

3 Perhaps you’d like to hear my perspective on the situation?

Don’t hesitate to sound more directive if it is necessary

1 Have you considered asking a neutral outsider for his opinion?

2 I know you’re not in the mood to listen to advice right now, but please hear me out.

3 I can understand why you wouldn’t want to hear this, but I simply cannot remain silent.

4 You obviously need help, and I’m just the person for the job.

5 You’re clearly not ready to listen, but I’m going to tell you what I think anyway.

HOW TO ADDRESS UNDERPERFORMANCE

Were I you, I’d try to be as delicate as possible from the beginning

1 I’ve noticed that you’re having a tough time at work. Is there any way I can help?

2 You seem a bit out of your depth lately. Are you having trouble with something specific?

3 You seem to be floundering a bit lately. What’s going on?

4 Your work has been slipping lately. Is there something wrong?

5 You’ve been underperforming, and we need to address it before it becomes a problem.

Unfortunately, sometimes we need to sound blunt

1 A company can’t survive constantly covering for a worker who is a dead weight.

2 If you don’t shape up, you’ll need to ship out, I’m afraid.

3 It’s really simple: You either fix this or you’re fired.

4 You do what you do, you get what you get.

HOW TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

You are supposed to sound gentle before giving this bitter pill

1 Your work here is very good overall, but I think you can bring it to an even higher level.

2 Let’s start this off on a positive note. Here’s what you are doing well.…

3I know you are capable of great things here, if you just tie up these loose ends.

4I appreciate getting honest feedback on my work, so I want to provide that to you, too.

5I know it’s difficult to receive feedback, but the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort.

Don’t hesitate to be blunt when you see the necessity of it

1 Most people don’t like criticism, but you’ll need to get used to it if you want to do well here.

2 Everyone benefits from being critiqued, even you.

3 I’m just going to be blunt here and tell you where you really need to improve.

4 Let’s face it: Your performance in this particular area has been sorely lacking.

5 I have serious concerns about your performance. What do you plan on doing to correct this?

HOW TO DISCIPLINE OR PUNISH A VALUED EMPLOYEE

It’s even harder than reprimanding those who work badly and you can be quite empathic

1 I hate this part of my job, but I would be remiss if I didn’t

2 If you weren’t such a valuable employee, I wouldn’t even bother discussing this.

3 Anyone can take a wrong turn, so I’ll just let you off with a warning. •

4 What do you think would be fair? You know, since you’re the one who messed up.

5 You made a mistake and unfortunately you will need to pay.

Sometimes you can’t help sounding harsh

1 I’m going to need to lower the boom on you.

2 You screwed up, so you’re the one who will have to absorb the cost.

3 One more of these incidents and I’ll have to re-think your employment here.

HOW TO EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT

We advise being kind even if your disappointment is keen

1 I am disappointed, but I know you will make things right.

2 If I feel let down it’s because I have such high regard for you.

3 Despite my disappointment, I have every reason to believe that you will make this right.

4 You’re going to have to figure out how to get back into my good graces.

You can sound harsh if your kind approach failed to help

1 You let me down, and honestly I’m not sure what you can do to make it right.

2 I’m so disappointed, I don’t even know what to say to you.

3 There is simply no excuse for what you’ve done, here.

4 I would have expected better from you

5 Things would go a lot more smoothly for you here if you just took my advice.

HOW TO EXPRESS ANGER

We recommend you to restrain your anger

1 Yes, I am angry, but the main thing is that we find a solution.

2 ’m not gonna lie: I’m pretty pissed right now.

3 I’m right on the verge of losing it. Can’t you see that?

You can demonstrate your attempts to bottle it up

1 You are fortunate that I have such self-control.

2 I have every right to be upset right now!

3 I must admit being furious

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY

IN THESE SITUATIONS?

Situation 1 :

Your co-worker has been very moody recently and it has been affecting the work of all the team. You are trying to be empathetic, but you also want to make her realise how her problems are affecting her performance. Which of the phrases would you choose to start this tough conversation?

Situation 2 :

You are trying to get some important work done to meet the deadlines, but some other employees have been horsing around near the water cooler for a long time talking and laughing very loudly. You have already asked them politely to be quiet but it doesn’t seem to help. What phrase would be the most appropriate here?

Situation 3:

You are the boss. You are extremely worried about the current project, for which the deadline is the end of the week.The progress has been slow so far and you want everyone to work late until things are back on track. But everybody wants to call it a day and go home. What phrases would be perfect in this situation?

Situation 4:

You work very closely with one particular co-worker. However, your colleague is not a good listener. He tends to brush off your suggestions and dominate with his own ideas / by the way, not very bright ones/. You need to discuss this with him to persuade him that your ideas are appreciated more. How would you say it?

Situation 5:

You are a manager with a few dozen employees working under you. One day, you come across one of your employees lazing about and doing nothing with his feet up on his desk. This employee is considered to be brilliant and highly valued by the management. How would you start your conversation?

Vocabulary exercises

1. Read the definition and choose the most appropriate word

1.to have serious financial or economic problems —

a) to flip-flop b) to flounder c) to hang in there

2. to accept responsibility for something you have done-

a) to glitch b) to face the music c) to see room for improvement

3. showing willingness to end a disagreement; or trying to make someone less angry

a) conciliatory b) relaxing c) violent

4. to reduce costs at the expense of quality

a) to get across an idea b) to cut corners c) to face the music

5. to do something badly or make a big mistake

a) to screw up b) to hang in there c) to revisit

6.a heavy or oppressive burden

a) load b) a dead weight c) a glitch

7. to change plans completely

a) to revisit b) to step on anyone’s toes c) to flip-flop

8. to communicate effectively to convey the idea

a) to get across an idea b) to delegate c) to have a heart-to heart talk

9. not planned or considered carefully enough

a) forewarned b) underbaked c) half-baked

10. something that might be very dangerous for you

a) at your advantage b) at your peril c) heart-breaking

2. Put a missing word in a gap

1. I want to help you out on this project, but I know it’s your brain-child, so I don’t want to step on your ***** in any way.

2. It’s obvious that some politicians ignore this issue at their *****

3. More and more firms are ***** because of the recession.

4. He knows that you used to be a ***** employee and so he is trying to support you

5. Don’t worry. ***** there and we’ll see the light in thee tunnel sooner or later

6. You’ll have to ***** the music eventually after messing everything up

7.More redundancies have been in the ***** recently.

8. It was extremely difficult to get ***** my idea

9. There’s a temptation to ***** corners when you’re pushed for time, but it’s not worth it.

10. Thank you for your constructive criticism, now we see the room for *****.

3. Rephrase the sentences using the new vocabulary

1. We have to go through this proposal again as soon as the budget is clearer.

2. Were I you, I wouldn’t take such decisions on your own hook.

3. I noticed her blowing her lines during the presentation

4. Having realised the prospects of developing further, everybody agreed to start again from scratch

5. We regret to say good-bye to our most useful worker.

6. I wouldn’t recommend you to rely on the person who can make a hash in a second

7.Don’t give up and believe we will weather the storm

8. He is known to have problems taking decisions and change his mind all the time

9. I admit having an unprepared proposal but I can reassure you that it will work well

10. I am afraid you will have to accept the criticism on your own

4. Choose the correct preposition

1 *** the pipeline

a on

b in

c at

2.hang *** there

a in

b up

c over

3.to screw ***

a up

b over

c off

4 *** your peril

a of

b out of

c at

5 to face *** the music

a —

b to

c up

6 to see room *** improvement

a for

b of

c with

7.to step *** anyone’s toes

a —

b on

c in

8 to ask a neutral outsider *** the opinion

a about

b for

c on

9 to get *** an idea

a with

b from

c across

10 *** one’s depth

a in

b from

c out of

5. Translate the sentences using new vocabulary

1.Однако некоторые фирмы, которые плохо управляются и не стремятся к чему-то большему, чем стагнация, сильно отстают в своей работе.

2. Даже при проведении реформ они часто оказываются непродуманными до конца из-за необходимости компромисса между конкурирующими интересами труда и капитала.

3. Любые сбои в работе операционных систем будут устранены по мере прохождения пилотного года.

4. Не откладывайте это, иначе придется за это заплатить. Предупрежден – значит вооружен!

6. Хотя его примирительный жест был одобрен боссом, его все равно уволили.

7. Если бы я был на твоем месте, я бы не принимал такое серьезное решение только на свой страх и риск.

8. Этот отдел давно перестал быть дойной коровой и функционирует сейчас как мертвый груз.

9. Конечно, у нас есть много ошибок и проблем, но нам есть куда стремиться.

10. Даже он, самый ценный сотрудник в нашей компании, может облажаться и сейчас ему придется получить наказание.

11.Если бы он не менял свои решения так часто, ему бы больше доверяли.

12. Все говорят, что моя идея сырая, но если я смогу ее донести до нашего инвестора, мы получим свободу действий.

Text: Famous people and discipline

1. Find 10 grammar mistakes in this part of the text

Discipline is not just about sticks to a strict routine or schedule, but it also involving self-control, perseverance, and the ability to staying focused on long-term goals. Many successful individuals credits their discipline for help them overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

For example, Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, are known for his unwavering discipline in his nonviolent protests and civil disobedience. His commitment to his cause ultimately lead to India’s independence from British rule.

Similarly, Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media personalities in the world, has attribute her success to her disciplined approach to her work. She is knew for her rigorous work ethic and dedication to her craft, which has make her a household name and a successful businesswoman.

2. Find 10 factual mistakes in this part of the text

Discipline is also a useless factor in the world of arts and entertainment. Renowned athlete Steven Spielberg is known for his disciplined approach to filmmaking, often working short hours and staying focused on his vision to create some of the most iconic songs in history of the choir. In all these examples, discipline has been a driving force behind their failure, demonstrating that it is a fundamental

quality that can lead to extraordinary achievements. As we continue to admire

and learn from these remarkable individuals, we can strive to cultivate discipline in our own lives to reach our full potential.

Another example of a disciplined individual is Serena Williams, the world-renowned singer. Her dedication to her craft and relaxed training regimen have made her one of the weakest athletes of all time. Williams’ discipline has allowed her to overcome numerous obstacles and setbacks throughout her career, ultimately leading her to no Grand Slam titles.

3. Find 10 extra words in this part of the text

One more example is Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and of Tesla. Musk’s relentless work ethic and commitment to his goals have propelled in

him to the forefront of out the space and automotive industries. His ability to

stay in focused and disciplined in the face out of adversity has been instrumental in his success.

Discipline has also been at a defining characteristic of successful leaders such as is Nelson Mandela. Spending 27 years in prison, Mandela remained disciplined in his pursuit of justice and equality. His unwavering commitment to his cause ultimately led to the end of apartheid in South Africa and his election as the country’s first black out president.

4. Fill in 10 missing words in this part of the text

In conclusion, discipline is a common among many famous individuals who have achieved great success. Whether it in sports, business, or politics, the to stay focused and dedicated to their goals has instrumental in their accomplishments. As we look these individuals inspiration, we can learn from their example and strive incorporate discipline our own lives.

Another example of the power of discipline be seen in the life of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before achieving fame and success, Rowling faced numerous rejections and setbacks, she remained disciplined in her writing and never gave up on her dream of becoming a published author. Her perseverance ultimately paid off, and she went on to create one of the most beloved and successful book series of all time.

5. Replace 10 of the words with synonyms that matches the meaning

Furthermore, the legendary athlete Michael Jordan is often praised for his unparalleled discipline on and off the basketball court. His relentless work ethic, self-control, and ability to stay focused on his goals propelled him to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

In conclusion, discipline is a common trait among many famous individuals who have achieved great success. Whether it’s in sports, business, or politics, the ability to stay focused and dedicated to their goals has been instrumental in their accomplishments. As we look to these individuals for inspiration, we can learn from their example and strive to incorporate discipline into our own lives.

1. How can we incorporate discipline into our own lives to achieve our goals?

2. Discuss a time when discipline has helped you achieve success in your own life.

3. Do you think discipline is more important than talent in achieving success? Why or why not?

4. What are some strategies for staying disciplined and focused on your goals, even in the face of difficulties?

5. How can discipline benefit a team or organization as a whole? Give examples.

6. Have you ever had to make sacrifices in order to maintain discipline in pursuing a goal? What were they?

Grammar focus on Unreal Condition of Present and Future

We are moving further in the way of conditional sentences. Let’s consider one of the most common types of them-

UNREAL CONDITION OF PRESENT AND FUTURE

You can use present hypothetical conditionals when you are thinking about the present situation and imagining how it could be different.

If I didn’t work such long hours, I wouldn’t be so tired all the time. (but I do work long hours so I am tired all the time)

The structure is simple:

IF + PAST SIMPLE or PAST CONTINUOUS, WOULD/COULD/MIGHT +Vo

If I knew the boss was coming I wouldn’t say so

After if we usually use WERE for all persons

If I were you I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for a pay rise

By the way, here we can use inversion to sound more formal and emphatic

Were I you I’d ask for a pay rise

In formal English if you want to sound more emotional u can use BUT FOR + NOUN or GERUND instead of IF

But for his support we would go bankrupt

Grammar exercises

1.Choose the correct option

1. If I had my own business, I’ll take/ I’d take longer holidays.

2. If I would work/worked for myself, I’d be in charge of my own life.

3. What do I do / would I do if I was the boss? I’d pay my employees good salaries.

4. If I was in charge of my own business, I invested/I’d invest in a good website and good advertising.

5. I’d hire the best and brightest people if I own /I owned my own business.

6. I’ll treat /I ’d treat my customers well if I ran my own company.

7. If I was /would be the boss of my own company, I’d introduce an incentive scheme for all staff.

8. Everyone had to / would have to wear smart suits if I was in charge of my own business.

9. I’d earn more money if I didn’t work/ I wouldn’t work for someone else.

10. I’d have a flexible schedule if I’m / was self-employed.

2.Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence (s).

1. My colleague travels so much. He misses a lot of important meetings.

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