节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2014-03-04
难易度:High
关键字:spotlight, flawless, authenticity, trench
Welcome back.
So far today we've talked about two false assumptions that leaders deserve full
credit for their teams' successes,
and that leaders should maintain a flawless public image.
Of course authenticity and the ability to admit mistakes is essential to
building trust among the people that you work with.
Now if you are not a leader now, I believe you are on the road to leadership in
some ways.
So pay attention as we look at this last false assumption in our lesson now.
A New View of Leaders.
Leaders should be confident and never express doubt.
Ask any leader who's been in the trenches, and he or she will tell you about
missed deadlines, failed products and customer complaints.
So when a plan gets made, it's better to ask "Can we do this?" before boldly
promising "We can do it!".
Leaders who raise questions may be more helpful than those who insist on acting
confident.
Anyone who wants to be a leader should consider seeing the role in a new light!
(Chinese).
And now let's see what our teachers are up to.
Thank you, Michelle.
Now let's go back to the first sentence of this section.
We read:
Ask any leader who's been in the trenches, and he or she will tell you about
missed deadlines, failed products and customer complaints.
All right.
So what our author is telling us is that many leaders have experienced these
things, so they understand what it's like to fail to do something.
So it's OK to doubt.
Now let's look at the phrase in that sentence: in the trenches.
What does that mean?
OK. Well, a trench is a long, narrow hole that soldiers get into for protection
during a war or battle.
If you've seen any war movies, you probably have seen trenches.
I've been watching the TV series Band of Brothers recently about soldiers during
the Second World War.
And these soldiers were in a lot of trenches.
So you kind of get the feeling of fighting when you see this phrase: in the
trenches.
You use this phrase when you want to emphasize engaging in something firsthand.
Right. For example, in education, it means teaching in a classroom and not just
sitting in an office somewhere.
In the hospital it means doing surgery or working with patients and not just
doing paperwork.
And if you work in an office, being in the trenches could simply mean working
hard and not just making decisions for everyone.
Gabe, do you think it's important to work in the trenches?
Well, I think the best bosses have worked in the trenches at some point or
other.
Like for example, I have met many school principals, and the best ones used to
be teachers in a classroom at some time.
I agree. A good leader will know what it's like for his or her employees to work
where they are.
Right. Now back to the reading, what do some leaders do?
They make a decision before asking their team if it's a possibility.
But we read: When a plan gets made, it's better to ask "Can we do this?" before
boldly promising "We can do it!".
That's right.
And now it's time to join Steve and Ken in the Information Cloud.
Then we'll watch a review skit, and join Linda for the Editor's Summary.
I know many of you are working hard to increase your vocabulary.
But might there ever be a time to decrease it?
Forbes magazine recently interviewed communications experts and career advisers
and compiled a list of words they consider detrimental to the image and success
of business professionals.
So there are words you'll want to consider erasing from your speech, especially
if you're a business person.
Consider these examples.
The first is "um..." It's what we call a placeholder.
When you use it, you're indirectly telling others that you don't know or can't
remember a more precise word for something.
Therefore, it makes you sound indecisive and inarticulate.
So erase it.
Next is: I can't.
Often when you say this, what other people hear is: I won't.
So instead, say: I want to learn how to do that.
And then of course follow through and learn it.
Next, be aware of buzz words, which are important-sounding words that people use
to impress others,
but because they've been used too much, they've lost their meaning.
Right.
"Innovative" is one such word, so improve your image by erasing it from your
vocabulary.
And while you're doing that, take it off your resume, too.
(Chinese).
What makes a good leader?
Let's take a look.
Ah, speech on leadership.
Number 1: Leaders say important things.
Yes. But leaders shouldn't dominate discussions.
They should listen, too.
That's a good point.
Let's continue.
Number 2: The goals of a leader come first.
Uh, but new leadership is about making other people better.
Good leaders support their teammates' goals.
Maybe so.
Let's move on.
Number 3: Leaders deserve credit for the team's success.
Yes, but without the work of teammates, success would never come.
Oh, never thought of that.
Co-workers should share the spotlight.
You're right. But let's keep going.
Number 4: Leaders should have a flawless public image.
Leaders should be genuine and admit their mistakes.
You mean authenticity?
Yes. It builds trust.
Remember that.
Good idea.
Number 5: Leaders should be confident.
We can do it!
But can you?
I think so.
Hmm. Well, it's better to ask "Can we do this?" Don't make bold promises that
you can't keep.
Right.
Well, thank you, everyone.
I hope you enjoyed my speech.
I think you mean our speech.
Right.
Today we continue new views of business leaders and learn that when success is
achieved, the CEO is usually recognized.
But they need to recognize the people that help them achieve the goal because
one person did not accomplish it.
Authenticity is also a new... word being thrown around.
No one is perfect.
So when a leader makes a mistake, it is good for that person to acknowledge it.
A leader should not be afraid to ask hard questions instead of just saying
something can be accomplished.
These are the final three new views that are discussed in our BUSINESS article
this month.
Thank you, Linda.
Well, what do you think?
Has your view on leadership changed at all?
Or what are some other false assumptions about good leadership that you know of?
Of course we want to encourage you to talk about those things in English.
I've learned a lot about leadership from this lesson.
Have you, Carolyn?
I certainly have, Gabe.
And I think that those are important things to think about.
But for now we will see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you then.
(Music).