Tag: work

How Vulnerability Makes You a Better Leader

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a good leader doesn’t always mean appearing bold and strong. Sometimes, being a good leader means letting your team know the struggles and business strifes and not being afraid to ask them for a solution.

Watch this video and be inspired by this amazing woman who is not afraid to embrace her womanhood while vying to get funding for her company.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about your thoughts on Tracy Young’s story.
  2. What are the qualities of a good leader?
  3. Do you think leaders who aren’t afraid to show their vulnerability would gain the same level of respect from their colleagues than those who always appear to be perfect? Why or why not?
  4. Describe the leader that you admire and how has he/she influenced you?
  5. Do you think gender is still an issue in the world of business? Share an experience when you felt like there’s an inequality in your workplace.
  6. Do you think people trust men more than women when it comes to making decisions for the company? Why do you think that is the case?

Your Space Shapes Your View of Remote Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Working from home is big news. During the COVID-19 pandemic, those lucky enough to have avoided layoff are more likely than ever to be adapting to a working environment that is familiar and alien at the same time.

When working from home, there are some factors we need to take into consideration. The size and location of our space – as well as whom we share it with – play a significant role in determining how well we are able to work remotely during the pandemic. 

Read the article below to find out more about how our workspace affects how we telework.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210218-how-your-space-shapes-the-way-you-view-remote-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about working from home?
  2. What makes a good workspace?
  3. Describe your workspace at home.
  4. Are you less productive, equally productive, or more productive than when working in the office?
  5. What is the most challenging thing about working from home?
  6. How do you create a productive workspace in your house?

European Space Agency to Recruit Females and Disabled Astronauts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of little boys dream of becoming astronauts. It is quite rare to hear little girls express interest in goign into space. But perhaps it’s time to change this. Let the dream of becoming an astronaut more accessible to everyone. 

To date, NASA’s European counterpart The European Space Agency has only commissioned two women to go into space. This year, they want to fix the imbalance and achieve diversity.

Read the article and watch the video about ESA’s plans to recruit more women and disabled people.

https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/16/european-space-agency-in-bid-to-recruit-more-female-and-disabled-astronauts

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are thoughts on/reaction to this: “Only 65 of the more than 560 people who have ever gone into space have been women.”?
  2. What do you think about ESA’s goal to recruit more women astronauts?
  3. Is there diversity in your workplace? Elaborate.
  4. How is diversity achieved in your workplace?

Paperless Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New technological advances have given us the tools to transition a paperless office. Going paperless has a positive impact on your budget, business efficiency, and brand positioning.

Let’s read some steps on how to go paperless in your small business.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateharrison/2013/04/19/5-steps-to-a-nearly-paperless-office/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of a paperless office?
  2. Has your company/office transitioned to a fully paperless already? Talk about the transition.
  3. Do you think companies should go totally paperless now? Why or why not?
  4. Do you agree that paper-based document management and business dealings are expensive and inefficient? Why?
  5. How can we manage and organize digital files in our office?

Why CEOs Make So Much Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Economic Policy Institute analysis showed that on average, high-ranking executives of some of the largest US companies earned around $21 m a year. 

Despite a looming global economic recession, it appears that the salaries of CEOs continue to get bigger and bigger. This will most likely intensify the scrutiny of pay inequality.

Read this article to find out why CEOs make so much and if it has always been the case.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210125-why-ceos-make-so-much-money

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the responsibilities of a CEO?
  2. Why should they be paid a lot? Is this fair?
  3. Would you like to become the CEO of a company one day? If so, what kind of top boss would you be like?  If not, for what reasons?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that CEOs are the most important factor of success of a company hence, they should be paid the highest?
  5. What do you know about the CEO of your company?

Flagging Productivity at Work? Tricks to Get Your Mojo Back

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have those days when completing our assigned tasks seems beyond reach. With the temptation of social media, mobile games, and the internet in general—not to mention the constant bustle of people in the office—it’s easy to fall prey to disruptions and distractions at work.

So, what can we do about it? How to be productive at work?

Let’s read the article about the 5 simple tricks to be more productive at work.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364586

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can people improve their productivity?
  2. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?
  3. What technology helps you to be productive?
  4. Do you think that some people are more productive because of genetics or how they were raised?
  5. What are some things you want to do but don’t have time for?

Ways Companies Can Support Grieving Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have different means on how to cope up with pain and grief. Some would use their work to get back up while living with their anguish. It’s called productive destruction as work itself can restore one’s purpose after dealing with loss.

Watch as Tilak Mandadi talks about the importance of culture of empathy in the workplace and how it can support grieving employees.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the 3 tips on the video. How can they be helpful for grieving employees?
  2. What was the most painful thing you had experienced? Who helped you get through it?
  3. How do you deal with grief and pain?
  4. What can you say about your work environment?
  5. What are the things that your company offers to mourning employees?

How We Can Use the Hiring Process to Bring Out the Best in People

B2 – Upper intermediate

Job interviews could be stressful especially for those who cannot function well under pressure and feel uncomfortable answering a lot of questions from the interviewer.

Watch as Gil Winch explains how to successfully see the true potential of a candidate.

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Do you agree with this statement: “If you want to assess a candidate’s true potential, see how they function at their best, not their worst.” Explain why it’s necessary to make the candidates feel relaxed.
  2. What are the things that would put the candidates at ease? Do you agree with them?
  3. Talk about your worst and best job interviews. What did you learn from them?

The ‘Minterns’ Taking Internships in their 30s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At the age of 30, society expects us to have stable careers and secure jobs. However, not everyone feels personal fulfillment in what they do around this age. This is especially true for millennials.

A study conducted showed that almost half of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs. A lot of them leave within the first 24 months. Some choose to shift from their original career paths to a different one, purposely starting from the bottom again.

Click the link below and read the article to know more about “minterns”.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190815-the-minterns-taking-internships-in-their-30s

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who are considered as “minterns”? What do you think of people in their 30s taking on internship jobs?
  2. What do you think this work trend reflects?
  3. Can you imagine yourself doing what Alejandro Cavazos did given a chance? Why or why not?
  4. Why do you think a lot of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs?
  5. How important is personal fulfillment in choosing your career path?
  6. What are you looking for in terms of career development?

How to Know If It’s Time to Change Careers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Career changes—at any level—are stressful, time-consuming, and, well, often agonizing. How do you know if you’re making the right decision? It’s not an easy process to pivot to something unfamiliar, or to quit a job that’s OK on many levels but ultimately professionally unsatisfying.

Let’s watch the video on how to know if it’s time to change careers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you happy at work? Why / Why not?
  2. What are some of the most common reasons that people change their jobs?
  3. Do you know anybody who has led a successful career in one field and then suddenly given it up and changed to something completely different? What reasons do you think they may have had?
  4. What three things are most important for you in a job? Why?
  5. What is a dead-end job? Are you OK to have one if it pays well?
  6. What preparations did you make before leaving your previous job/jobs?