Is Your Manager a Boss or a Leader?

What are the main characteristics of being a leader? Is the concept of ' boss' obsolete? What are the trends regarding leadership in your field of business? Is the default mode of your workplace one of cooperation and consensus?

The words 'leader' and 'manager' are often used interchangeably, but they mean two completely different things. While every leader may not be a manager, every manager should be a leader.

THIS WAY! is a lesson specifically designed for C1 Business Higher exam (BEC Higher) that tackles the issue of management and 'leadership' through different speaking tasks and listening practice, covering as well vocabulary and useful phrases on the topic, and mingled with a couple of use of English exercises.

Furthermore it brings out in the open 10 biggest mistakes managers make when managing staff. Additionally, you can talk about how can managers motivate workers into better performance. Is the carrot and stick approach still effective?

And what about empowerment? Many leaders today often try to empower their employees by delegating authority and decision-making but do they also assume the responsibility and the consequences of a bad decision?

It seems that the traditional nine-to-five labour day is long gone. Nowadays, flexibility, adaptability and mobility are the key points to increase efficiency in the workplace. Are your students familiar to the concepts of hot desking or zero hours contract? Let them discuss all the other options and choose the best working practices to implement in the company they work for.

To cut a long story short, this lesson is a great opportunity for your students to practise English on a topic they surely have a lot to talk about.

THIS WAY! + LISTENING 1 + LISTENING 2

More Business English lessons here.