Unit 15

Word

Definition

Example

achieve 

to successfully complete something or get a good result, especially by working hard

I always aim to achieve my goals and objectives.

advice 

an opinion you give someone about what they should do

I asked my manager for advice on how to improve my time management skills.

annual appraisal 

regular review of an employee's job performance and overall contribution to a company

When was your last annual appraisal?

appreciation 

pleasure you feel when you realize something is good, useful, or well done

It's important that your boss shows appreciation of your work.

business coaching 

the process of engaging in regular, structured conversation with a "client": an individual or team who is within a business, profit or nonprofit organization, institution or government

Business coaching aims to help managers improve their performance.

calm 

relaxed and quiet, not angry, nervous, or upset

Try to stay calm when dealing with difficult situations.

communication skills 

abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information. Some examples include communicating ideas, feelings or what's happening around you

Communication skills training will help you be a better listener and express yourself more clearly.

constructive 

useful and helpful, or likely to produce good results

If the employee hasn't met their objectives you must offer constructive solutions.

develop skills 

if you develop a skill or ability, or if it develops, it becomes stronger or more advanced

Coaches can help you identify what training you might need to develop your skills.

dramatically 

in a great and sudden way

In recent years, business coaching has grown dramatically.

give feedback 

to give advice or criticism about how well you are doing your job and what you could do to improve. Managers usually give feedback to their employees

Coaches use their own experience to give you feedback on your ideas.

hire 

to pay money to borrow something for a short period of time

Many companies hire staff who have had more on-the-job training.

impressive 

something that is impressive makes you admire it because it is very good, large, important etc

The results have been very impressive.

improve performance 

increase the output, increase efficiency, or increase the effectiveness of the process or procedure

A personal coach can help you improve your performance at work.

management experience 

experience of managing people or processes

After five years in the same job, Klaudio would really like to get management experience.

motivate 

to be the reason why someone does something

One way to motivate employees is to give them an annual bonus for good results.

motivation

eagerness and willingness to do something without needing to be told or forced to do it

How can we improve the team's motivation for the job?

new challenges 

something new that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in a way that is interesting

I don't like jobs that are too easy – I'm always looking for new challenges.

objectives 

something that you are trying hard to achieve, especially in business or politics

They meet or speak with you regularly to see if you are making progress to achieve your objectives.

on the right track 

o be doing something in a way that will bring good results

It's not perfect but you're on the right track – it just needs a few changes.

out of the question 

if something is out of the question, it is definitely not possible or not allowed

Work Saturday and Sunday? No, I'm afraid that's completely out of the question!

overtime 

time that you spend working in your job in addition to your normal working hours

Why don't we pay the team overtime for working late?

personal coach 

someone who gives private lessons to someone in a particular subject, especially so that they can pass an examination

It might be an idea to hire a personal coach.

personal development 

activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams

What new skills would you like to learn for your personal development?

personal objective 

something that you are trying hard to achieve in your personal life or development

You should look at the employees personal objectives for the last year.

positive feedback 

highly appreciated advice, criticism etc about how successful or useful something is

When you discuss your employee's performance, you should start with positive feedback.

project management 

the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters

If you want a career in project management, you should do a training course.

promotion prospects 

the chances or prospects an employee has for promotion or for gaining a better position, often in the same company

Coaches can find ways for you to improve your promotion prospects in your company.

put something into practice 

if you put an idea, plan etc into practice, you start to use it and see if it is effective

These are good ideas, but how can we put them into practice?

set goals 

to say what you or someone else will or must try to achieve

Business coaches can help you set new goals.

stressed 

so worried and tired that you cannot relax

Marek works 70 hours a week and is very stressed.

take a step back 

to withdraw or remove oneself from something, often in order to consider it from a broader or more objective perspective

Coaching can be an ideal opportunity to take a step back and evaluate your lifestyle.

training course 

a series of lessons or lectures teaching the skills that you need for a particular job or activity

Have you done any training courses recently to improve your performance at work?

two-way 

used to describe a relationship which needs effort from both the people or groups involved

Remember, the appraisal is a two-way conversation so you shouldn't do all of the talking.