Unit 5

Word

Definition

Example

analyse something logically

to study or examine something in detail,in a way that uses reason

Monitor Evaluators have a great ability to analyse things logically

assess something periodically

to make a decision about a person or situation after considering all the information, repeatedly at regular times

Monitor Evaluators assess things periodically and look at options objectively

avoid

to prevent something from happening or to not allow yourself to do something

I prefer to avoid any last-minute changes

be clear about

to be certain or having no doubt

We must be clear about how this will affect morale

be entitled to

to have the official right to do or have something

Look, you're entitled to your opinion

be happy to

to be very willing to do something, especially to help someone

I'd be more than happy to oversee everything personally

be prepared to

to be willing, or happy to agree to do something

I'm prepared to agree to that if the price is reduced

be relied on

to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed

Implementers can be relied on to perform consistently

be right in thinking

used when you believe something is true or likely but are not certain

Would I be right in thinking we agreed not to use that logo?

be viewed positively

to have a positive opinion or a nice way of thinking about someone or something

Specialists are usually viewed positively for their knowledge

communicate something effectively

to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body, or using other signals, in a way that is successful and achieves what you want

They may have trouble communicating their ideas effectively

compromise

an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree

Try to reach a compromise during the negotiation

conflict

an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles

Different people deal with conflict in different ways

cope with

to deal successfully with a difficult situation

Implementers cope with things practically

deal with

to take action in order to achieve something or in order to solve a problem

How can we best deal with this issue?

deviate from

to do something that is different from the usual or common way of behaving

Implementers tend not to deviate from a set path

diplomatic

acting in a way that does not cause offence

You must be diplomatic when you're dealing with angry customers

emphasis

the particular importance or attention that is given to something

There was an emphasis on quantity rather than quality at my last job

emphasize

to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to

We must emphasize the importance of this new initiative to the board

focus on

to give a lot of attention to one particular person, subject, or thing

Specialists tend to focus on technicalities

get at

to suggest or express something in a way that is not direct or clear

I don't see what you're getting at

go ahead with

to start to do something, especially after planning it or asking permission to do it

I just won't be able to go ahead with the launch in Vienna

I see what you mean

used to say that you understand what someone is trying to explain to you

I see what you mean, but surely we need to get this right now?

leave somebody to

to give someone responsibility for dealing with something

Riccardo, can I leave you to liaise with the printer?

look at something objectively

to think about a subject in a way that is based on facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings, so that you can make a decision about it

Let's look at the situation objectively

make sure

to take special care to do something

Can I just make sure I've understood this correctly?

on the right track

doing something correctly or well

It's good to know I'm on the right track

pay attention to

to watch, listen to, or think about something or someone carefully or with interest

Co-ordinators don't pay enough attention to their own duties

perform consistently

to do something, especially something difficult or useful, in a way that does not change

Implementers perform consistently and cope with things practically

propose

to offer or suggest a possible plan or action for other people to consider

How do you propose we deal with this issue?

pursue something vigorously

to try to achieve something in a way that uses a lot of energy and strength or determination

Resource Investigators pursue opportunities vigorously outside the team

push somebody hard

to encourage or force someone to do something or to work hard

Shapers often get results because they push others hard

spur somebody into action

to encourage someone to do something or to encourage them to try harder to achieve something

Shapers spur their team into action

stay focused

to give a lot of attention to one particular thing and not to get distracted

Can we try and stay focused on the facts?

steer clear of

to avoid someone or something that seems unpleasant, dangerous, or likely to cause problems

Teamworkers like to steer clear of confrontation

thrive on

to grow, develop, or be successful

Shapers thrive on pressure and challenge

tread carefully

to speak or behave carefully to avoid upsetting or causing offence to anyone

You have to tread carefully with this person

try to avoid

to attempt to prevent something from happening or to not allow yourself to do something

Look, can we try to avoid any serious setbacks here?

work on

to try very hard to improve or achieve something

I'll just keep working on it

worry excessively

to think too much about problems or unpleasant things that might happen in a way that makes you feel unhappy and frightened

Completer Finishers tend to worry excessively about minor details