Dialogue Reading + Vocabulary Building

Dialogue 1 Trevor: Thanks for taking the time to chat Andrew. I know you’re busy, but I just wanted to talk through a few things that’ve been on my mind. Andrew: Okay??? Trevor: Yeah, well, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye on things. That’s not necessarily a problem, but I guess it’s how we do it that concerns me. Andrew: Not sure I follow? Trevor: Well, for example, look at our regional managers meeting last week. I really felt like I was being attacked, because you kept interrupting and… I feel like you dismissed a lot of my ideas out of hand. Andrew: Really? I don’t remember interrupting you. I do remember disagreeing with your ideas though. They simply weren’t… practical. And we’re supposed to be able to discuss these things openly. Trevor: Yes, for sure, but I guess I feel that there’s something going on… it feels like you’re putting up barriers. Repeatedly. I just want to know why? Is there something I did or said that’s upset you? Andrew: No, not at all. I wouldn’t just oppose your ideas for no good reason. Trevor: You sure? Might as well get things out in the open now… is there anything else bothering you? Andrew: Well, there are some things that bug me, I mean separate from what happens in meetings. You know, this has been happening for a while now and I think it’s worth discussing… [Fade out] Trevor: [Fade in] …so, you think I’ve been poaching from your team? Can you give me an example? Andrew: Yeah. Think about Jay Conner, and… Lindsay Tait… Just to name two. Trevor: Really? So… tell me what you think happened there. Why do you think they wanted to make a move? Andrew: They were happy with us. Then I hear you started nosing around. And… then pretty soon they’re working for you. Pretty straightforward. Trevor: Ah… I think there’s a misunderstanding here. They both actually approached me. Jay was interested in working closer to home. And Lindsay mentioned some personality conflicts… didn’t get into details, but wanted a change. I actually encouraged her to talk to you about it. Didn’t mean to step on any toes. Andrew: Well… you did. And come on Trevor, I find it hard to believe that you don’t know what you’re doing. Trevor: Listen, as I said, I think this is a misunderstanding, and I’d like to just figure out how we move forward… how we can maybe prevent this kind of thing in the future. Andrew: Stop poaching my people. Start with that. Trevor: Okaay… I was actually thinking of this as more of a communication issue. I mean… maybe I could’ve given you a heads up as soon as they approached me. Just to keep you in the loop on what was going on. Andrew: A heads up? Trevor: Yes, and maybe we can figure something out for meetings too. The whole interrupting thing. Andrew: Like I said, I don’t recollect interrupting you. So I don’t see how that’s an issue. But this whole business of poaching people is something we definitely have to talk about.

Dialog 1 Colleague 1: Looks like we are going to have to recall our best selling product. Apparently we used a defective component and the product can catch fire. Colleague 2: Do the shareholders know about this? Colleague 1: Absolutely not. It is just an internal memo for now until we can decide how to present the information so it does not cause a panic. If this knowledge was out in the open right now, the shareholders would panic and sell their stock which would cause the company to collapse. Colleague 2: But the recall has to become public knowledge at some point. Colleague 1: Yes. We will inform everyone once we have had a chance to do damage control.

Dialog 2 Friend 1: I can't believe that you have been living with cancer for over a year and nobody knew about it. Friend 2: I didn't want it out in the open because then everyone would treat me differently. There would be too much sympathy and attention. I just want to live a normal life. You are the only one that knows. Please keep it a secret. Friend 1: Of course I will keep your secret but if the disease progresses any further, people are going to find

A. Review Quiz For each question, you must choose the sentence that best fulfills the given language function or purpose. 1. What is a good way to talk about the impact of someone else’s behavior? a) You are constantly talking way too loudly while other people are trying to work. b) I get quite frustrated when you refuse to compromise on scheduling. c) I think you just need to find ways to be easier to work with. 2. What could you ask to try to identify the root cause of a problem? a) I wonder if there’s a way we could figure out how to work together better? b) Why do you have to be so difficult all the time? c) I’d just like to know if there’s something going on that’s creating this stress? 3. How might you ask about someone’s perceptions of an issue? a) So, how do you see the whole situation with Kerry leaving the company? b) The way I see it, Kerry just wasn’t happy, don’t you think? c) Do you think there’s anything that can be done to get Kerry back? 4. What could you say to resist an argument when trying to resolve conflict? a) It should come as no surprise that I feel the same way about you. b) Well, that’s certainly not the way I see it, as I’ve told you before. c) At this point, I think it’s better if we focus on how to work together better. 5. How might you propose a solution to a conflict? a) If we can’t work this out, I’m not sure I can continue working here. b) Maybe we could try talking about these things in our staff meetings? c) So what exactly do you think we can do about this little issue

Idioms 1.Eye to eye -to agree fully with someone -be in full agreement -to have the same views about something Example Sentences 1.Though they work as a team, they often don’t see eye to eye on most issues. 2.My mom and I don't see eye to eye on politics so we discuss other things. heads up Meaning: to inform about something beforehand Example: Heads up! This machine is used to trim grass, please handle with care. out in the open -to be public knowledge; -to no longer be secret -revealed or uncovered for others to know, see, experience, etc. Example We all knew their marriage was failing, but it wasn't until their kids left for college that they brought that fact out in the open. talk through -to discuss a plan or a situation in a detailed way Example: The president talked through all the military options. out of hand -out of control -no longer in control of something or someone -difficult to control a situation -be chaotic or unmanageable -be in an unruly state Example When the police arrived, they realised the party was getting out of hand. Keep in the loop keep (someone) in the loop To keep someone informed about and/or involved in something, such as a plan or project, especially that which involves or pertains to a specific group. We've hired a new intern to help you with data entry, so be sure to keep her in the loop about the project Source: theidioms.com

Vocabulary and Idioms Fill in the blanks with words from the box below. Be sure to put any verbs in the right tense. open hand eye talk heads toes 1. Hey Brad, I just wanted to give you a _____________ up that your documents can be picked up at the printing office after 10:00 this morning. 2. It was pretty clear at the shareholders meeting that people don’t really see _____________ to eye about the future of the company. 3. If we don’t get some of these problems out in the _____________, people are going to continue feeling stressed out. 4. Okay, well I think we can dismiss the idea of bonuses out of _____________, considering our financial position. 5. Jamie, I don’t want to step on your _____________ here, but I revised that job posting you sent out. 6. All right everyone, let’s just calm down and _____________ through these issues like professionals. 7.They said they were ending the contract because they didn’t see _____________ with their clients. 8.Bill's secretary didn't see _________ with him about her salary so she quit. 9.You should have given me a ________about your friends coming over for dinner, I have cooked only for 2 people and there are 10 waiting to eat right now! 10. Being ____________, she felt a huge relief not to be carrying the secret any longer.