THE BLUE TREE
Business English
CEFR B1
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below. Listen to some people answering these questions. Report back or read the transcript to practise speaking.
| Think about a really good boss you have had. Why was he or she so good? |
TRANSCRIPT
I once had a boss named Joanna, and she was amazing. She always listened to our ideas and made us feel like we were part of the team. She was also very clear about what she expected, so we never felt lost or confused. I think what made her so good was that she trusted us, but she was also there when we needed help. She gave feedback in a kind way and really cared about our growth.
| Is it easy to manage people? What is the biggest challenge in managing other employees, in your opinion? |
TRANSCRIPT
No, I don’t think it’s easy to manage people. In my opinion, the biggest challenge is that everyone is different. Some people need more support, others like to work on their own. As a manager, you have to understand how each person works best. Also, if there is a problem or conflict in the team, it’s the manager who has to deal with it. That can be stressful.
| Would you like to be responsible for the work of other employees? What would you like the most and least about this position of authority? |
TRANSCRIPT
Yes, I would like that one day. I enjoy helping others and I think I’m good at organizing tasks. What I would like the most is seeing the team succeed and knowing I helped make that happen. But what I wouldn’t like is having to give negative feedback. I don’t enjoy telling people they made a mistake—it feels uncomfortable. Still, I think it’s part of growing as a leader.
part one
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the first part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- 1. What’s the first rule of “Managing Up”?
- 2. What should we learn about our bosses as regards: communication?
- 3. What should we learn about our bosses as regards: amount of information?
- 4. What should we learn about our bosses as regards: personality?
- 5. What is the value of learning the answers to these questions?
part two
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the second part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- 1. Why isn’t the office a place to be modest?
- 2. Is it about being arrogant?
- 3. Why should others know about your accomplishments?
- 4. What’s an “Accomplishments File”?
- 5. When should you send it to your boss?
- 6. Why shouldn’t you call those accomplishments but completions?
POLL
How well do you know your boss? How many questions can you answer in this poll?
How can knowing the answers to these questions help you manage up your boss?
DISCUSSION
MANAGING UP
Follow the conversation between three colleagues. They are talking about the idea on “managing up”.
Read (role play) their dialogue.
Anna: So… our new boss is starting next week. Are you two ready?
Mike: Not really. It feels strange not knowing anything about them.
Julia: I know what you mean. But I’ve been thinking about that video our English teacher showed us—Managing Up. I think we can use some of those tips.
Anna: Yeah, like the idea of learning about your boss. It sounds simple, but it’s actually smart.
Mike: Right. I wrote down some of the questions from the video. Like: What style of communication does my boss prefer? Do they like emails, calls, or face-to-face?
Julia: Good one. My last manager hated long emails. He always said, “Just give me the main point.”
Anna: That’s another question: How much information does my boss want from me? Should we prepare a lot of details, or just a short summary?
Mike: We’ll probably need to test and observe. Some managers want to be involved in every step, others just want results.
Julia: Also: Do they want me to bring a solution, or do they prefer to decide? It’s good to know if we should share ideas or just explain the problem.
Anna: Exactly. If we bring too much or too little, it can be a problem. We have to learn their style.
Mike: Another idea from the video was toot your own horn. I used to think it was a bad thing, but now I see it differently.
Julia: Same here. It’s not about showing off. It’s just letting your boss know what you and your team are doing well.
Anna: Yeah, like saying: “The report I worked on helped the client a lot,” or “The team finished the task early.”
Mike: I think we should also keep a list of our achievements. Then it’s easier to talk about them during meetings or reviews.
Julia: And we can send short updates, like once a week. It helps the boss know what’s going on and shows we’re reliable.
Anna: We can even ask the new boss directly: “Would you like weekly updates from us?” That way we don’t have to guess.
Mike: I like that. It shows respect and makes everything clear.
Julia: So we’re all agreed—we’ll try to manage up. Ask smart questions, learn how they work, and gently share our wins.
Anna: Yes! A new boss is a chance to grow. Let’s make the most of it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discuss the questions below. Refer to the information from the video and your own life experience.
 | Why do you think managing your relationship with your boss is important for your success at work? |
| What are some effective ways to understand your manager’s communication and decision-making style? |
| Can you think of a time when you or someone you know successfully “managed up”? What did they do, and what was the result? |
| What challenges might people face when trying to share their accomplishments with their boss without sounding arrogant? |
| How can keeping your boss informed about your work help build trust and improve teamwork? |
LESSON GLOSSARY
Check out the language from this lesson.
FREE PRACTICE
Describe the best boss you have ever had.
Write your answer in the comments below or send it to your teacher.
COMMENTS
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