Mike: OK, Craig and Gavin, I realise that there have been some problems between you recently, and I'd like to try and sort them out right now. Gavin, can you tell me why you think this problem has arisen now?
Gavin: You're asking me!? I really have no idea. I mean, I came into this job a year ago with a special project to do. I had a very positive attitude. I was excited about it and Craig's just blocked me all along …
Craig: Well, that's not fair at all! That's just not true!
Mike: OK, OK, one second. Can everyone speak one at a time, please? Gavin, go on …
Gavin: Well, that's about it really. I've never felt as if I've been welcomed here. I mean, when I walk into the office, the others don't even say hello to me …
Craig: That's just not true! It's you who doesn't say hello!
Mike: Craig, please! Gavin, can you tell me why you think this situation may have arisen?
Gavin: Well, as I said, I've really no idea. Perhaps it's just my style – I'm very positive, energetic and outgoing, while everyone else here seems to be half-asleep.
Mike: Erm, listen, I don't think that personal, judgemental comments like that help. Can we just stick to facts rather than opinions?
Gavin: OK. Well, I could see right away that some changes needed making here, so I set about making those changes.
Mike: And was that part of your job description?
Gavin: Job description! Job description! That's all I ever hear round here. That's the problem with this place … there’s no initiative, no energy.
Mike: Hmm, OK. Craig, would you like to tell us what you feel the problem is?
Craig: Well, I think it's quite clear, isn’t it? Him! That's it!
Mike: OK, as I said, can we keep away from personal comments here and stick to talking about the workplace.
Craig: Well, I am talking about the workplace! He doesn't respect the limits of what he's supposed to do. He came in here for a one-year project, but has then tried to change the way everyone else works as well.
Mike: Gavin? Can you respond to that?
Gavin: Well, my project involved everyone else! It was impossible to do what I had to do without getting other people to rethink the way they work.
Mike: OK, I think that personality issues are crucial here.
Gavin/Craig: (murmurs of agreement)
Mike: Personality issues are the most difficult things to change. Perhaps we'll never be able to resolve them. You are different people with different personalities and different ways of working.
Gavin: And so?
Mike: Well, that doesn't mean the problem can't be solved. We have to be flexible, accept change and be tolerant of difference.
Craig: Easy to say!
Mike: Well, yes, it is easy to say, but difficult to do! I don't deny that. However, what we need to do is review your project and look at everyone's roles and responsibilities in the project and in this organisation as a whole. If everyone sticks to and respects other people's roles and responsibilities, then we can at least settle on a good, constructive working atmosphere.
Comments
i am a beginner as well, sort out means to arrange in a certain order to conclude and half asleep means neither asleep nor fully awake, napping and slumbering.
Hello, I am from Russia. This is my first article to translate and I have a question: The word OUTGOING!
Can somebody describe the meaning of this word for me.
Thank you
Hello,
There is a dictionary on the right-hand side of this web page which will explain the meaning of 'outgoing' for you. There are two possible definitions, so choose the one that makes sense in the context of what Gavin is saying.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi JK,
I couldn't see the dictionary right-hand side of this web page. May you please send me the page link to use it while necessary?
By the way; I am new here too. I try to improve mu understanding and speaking.
Thanks in advance.
Hi LeylaDonmez,
We used to have a dictionary plugin on the page but I'm afraid it is no longer available because the dictionary provider changed its policies and no longer offers the service.
If you check, you'll see that the comment you replied to is rather old and the site has changed quite a lot since then.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
hi Ronnie.... the word "outgoing" is mainly used in business (to refer the nature of expense) but you can also use the word in your daily routine . it means outward or anything which is going outside of the premises ... hoping that would help you..
thanxs
Hello! Thank you for describing. As I understood this word means as the word "very" or "the most". For example, "Outgoing opportunity" is the same as "The most interesting (important) opportunity". Am I right? ))
Hello! Mr Radford. I have a question. I don't understand well the meaning of 'personality issues', I mean I know the definitions of 'personality' and 'issue'. But I'd like to know about them exactly. I wonder whether 'personality issues' can be replaced to just 'personality' or 'personality problems' and it has negative meaning or not as well. Thank you.
Hi Pygmalion
You have understood the meaning. Personality issues are problems, but the word 'problem' is quite negative. Sometimes a problem arises where two people don't work well together because they are very different or very similar. To say that either of them were causing a problem would seem unfair. We have to be very sensitive when talking about these things and so we use the word 'issues' which is more neutral.
So to answer your question: you could replace the words with 'personality problems' and express similar meaning but you might offend people so be careful.
I hope that helps.
Jack
The LearnEnglish Team
Oh, I see. Thank you very much.
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