Unit 11

Word

Definition

Example

a good chance

to be likely to succeed

There's a good chance I'll be free in ten days or so

administer

to manage the work or money of a company or organization

This last point is probably going to be difficult to administer

affect

to do something that produces an effect or change in something or in someone's situation

Make sure everyone knows how changes will affect them

ambivalent

not sure whether you want or like something or not

The ambivalent members of staff may oppose some of the plans

anxious

worried about something

Some staff are bound to be anxious about change

as you all know

used when you are saying something that someone already knows

As you all know, it is likely that some of our branches will close

assure

to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true so that they are less worried

We'd like to assure you that your jobs are all safe

be bound to

to be very likely to do or feel a particular thing

There are bound to be a few loose ends to tie up

be well aware of

having knowledge or awareness

We are well aware of your concerns regarding the situation

call on

to ask someone in a formal way to do something

We're calling on you to be positive

certain

confident and sure, without any doubts

There is certain to be more bad news in the coming week

concerned

worried about something

People are naturally concerned about how change will affect them

criticism

remarks that say what you think is bad about someone or something

You have to accept that you will face criticism for it

crucial

something that is crucial is extremely important, because everything else depends on it

It's crucial to get the employees on our side

definitely

without any doubt

I'm calling to say I definitely won't be able to attend the meeting

doubtful

not sure that something is true or right

It is doubtful whether the government can hold on to power

guidance

help and advice that is given to someone about their work, education, or personal life

Make sure you offer the right guidance when asked

host

to provide the place and everything that is needed for an organized event

We'll be hosting departmental meetings to give more information

hostile

angry and deliberately unfriendly towards someone, and ready to argue with them

Your opponents may be hostile and try to stop you

implement

to take action or make changes that you have officially decided should happen

The next stage is to implement the changes

in favour of

if you decide not to use one thing in favour of another, you choose the other one because you think it is better

Your supporters will be receptive and in favour of change

keep somebody informed

to give someone the latest news and details about a situation

We plan to keep you informed about all developments

maintain

to make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before

The reinforcement stage attempts to maintain the changes

oppose

to disagree with something such as a plan or idea and try to prevent it from happening or succeeding

There will be individuals who oppose the changes

optimism

a tendency to believe that good things will always happen

There's a great deal of optimism and positivity about it

pass

to give information or a job to another person so that they can deal with it

I'd like to pass the next point over to Julian

pay freeze

a situation in which a company stops increasing employees' pay because of financial difficulties

The company introduced a pay freeze in reaction to the poor economic conditions

prevent

to stop something from happening, or stop someone from doing something

Find out if there are any remaining barriers that will prevent change

propose

to suggest something as a plan or course of action

We're proposing a Friday afternoon ideas forum

react

to behave in a particular way or show a particular emotion because of something that has happened or been said

They are likely to react negatively to this idea

receptive

willing to consider new ideas or listen to someone else's opinions

They were receptive to some of my suggestions

remuneration

the pay you give someone for something they have done for you

We need to emphasize that there will be money available for remuneration

resist

to try to prevent a change from happening, or prevent yourself from being forced to do something

Explain the dangers of not changing to people who resist it

resistance

a refusal to accept new ideas or changes

Be prepared for resistance by offering the right guidance and training

revert

to change back to a situation that existed in the past

People often revert back to their old ways

support

if results, facts, studies etc support an idea or statement, they show or prove that it is correct

Employees have to feel motivated to support change

update

to add the most recent information to something

We'll be putting up regular updates on our Intranet