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 thing 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
in fact, we all have to deal with our own conflicts. they are our desire to do something and our reason.but why we do that without caring about the consequences? may be it's because we just want to enjoy a comfortable life. do what we want.but not very often. we control these things in a certain limit..and do not force ourself to stick to much to any rule..let yourself released. you will see another human inside you, you know you can do that without harming people around you.eating too much sweet cake is not good but a piece of it is ok.,talking but not talk yourself hoarse. in conflictive situations, i always keep silent at first, but then i talk to them first,i can't stand the hated feeling caused by the problem.(an argument. misunderstand).i just want to have fun and feel at ease when i am with everybody. i'm very sensitive and easily feel hurt if anything happen that make me feel something has gone wrong.you can't separate yourself from the other in your neighborhood, your group or class, even an organization.TOLERANCE is the best way to mingle yourself with the others.at the university, group learning happen very he often. to be honest. the first time i considered myself a leader and ask people to follow my words .unexpectedly, they bring out their own opinions and new ideas ,and redo things from the start. but you know. i gradually get familiar with this style of working. very effective and funny. we understand and learn from each other. i feel quite disappointed at first cause i've been trying to finish everything quite quickly and think that they will satisfy with what i did.however. working with them help me complete the task more successfully and perfectly.I WANT TO SEND MY VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY. wish you all have a happy new year.
Hello all,
Many thanks for British Council team who create the wonderful platform for all of us.
The progarm is very useful to enrich the knowlegde. Furthermore, the accent is so beautiful that I never feel tired for listening.
Again, best wish and regards!
Hello to everyone!
I am a new English learner and lover. For me it will be a challenge to reach an advanced level in English, it's just so interesting and exciting to can communicate freely with other people from foreign countries.
Guys you are going an excellent job doing this and maintaining this web page open to everyone who are eager to learn English.
Awesome, keep it in the right direction!!!
Best regards,
Eckfinn
Hi! Everybody, I'm a new member & Bangladeshi! Thanks all.
To start a project in a company is difficult, first, the people always are resisted to change your ways of work and think and second the people might feel scared to be fired. for that reasons, the project must be implemented with careful and intelligence to reach the success.
Thank you for your podcast.
Hello Jovan,
I would like to add that in order to implement a project within a Company, no matter in which field, there will be necessary or rather mandatory to have the management's support.
I have a lot of experience concerning the implementation of new project within the organization, for example I have coordinated the project team in charge with implementation within our Company of an internal control system in accordance with Sarbanes - Oxley regulations, it wasn't easy to do this but a have gained a lot of experience. In my opinion, along with management support it is imperative to communicate in an efficient way with all stuff and envolved employees.
Hello everyone, I'm a new member of this website and I think it's a great opportunity to improve our English.
Relating this topic I want to figure out what's the meaning of "sort out" as well as "half-asleep"
Thank you,
team
Welcome to the site, HarumiGiles!
In my opinion, one of the best features we have is the Cambridge Dictionaries Online search box, on the right of the page.
If you type sort out in there, it should give you some answers. If you need more, help, please let us know.
As for half-asleep it means that although you are awake and out of bed, you are not functioning properly. In my case, it would be because I need my morning coffee! It can also mean that you are very, very tired. Some of the students in our late evening classes can look like they are half asleep after a day at work and then two hours of study!
Regards,
Stephen
The LearnEnglish Team
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
team
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