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THE BLUE TREE
Personal
Productivity
CEFR B2
Upper
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below. Then listen to the model answers and think how you could improve yours.
| What is “personal brand”? What does it mean to have a strong personal brand? |
TRANSCRIPT
A personal brand is like your reputation but more intentional. It’s the way people perceive you based on your skills, personality, and values. Having a strong personal brand means you stand out for the right reasons. For example, if you’re known as someone reliable, creative, or innovative, people will naturally trust and want to work with you. It’s not just about what you do but also how you make others feel and the unique value you bring to any situation.
| What can a person do to improve their personal brand? Are you doing any of these things? |
TRANSCRIPT
To improve your personal brand, you can start by identifying your strengths and what makes you unique. Then, consistently showcase those qualities in your work and interactions. Networking is also important—building genuine relationships can boost how others perceive you. Another tip is to keep learning and developing new skills to stay relevant. Personally, I’m working on improving my communication skills and being more active on professional platforms like LinkedIn to share my ideas and experiences. It’s a gradual process, but I think it’s worth the effort.
| Would you rather somebody else managed your career or is this something you would like to have more control over? |
TRANSCRIPT
I’d definitely prefer to have more control over my career. While it might seem easier to let someone else make the decisions, I think it’s important to take responsibility for where you’re headed. Managing your own career allows you to align your work with your values and goals. Of course, getting advice from mentors or colleagues is helpful, but ultimately, I like knowing that I’m steering the ship. It makes any success feel more personal and meaningful.
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.
- ⌚ 0:19 What was William and Kristen researching when they were writing their book?
- ⌚ 0:31 How many principles do all exceptional people have in common?
- ⌚ 0:58 What are wildly successful people ready to do?
- ⌚ 1:03 What do such people know?
- ⌚ 1:10 What is the advantage of the first principle?
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.
- ⌚ 1:35 Who was managing people’s careers in the past?
- ⌚ 1:48 What were some of the behaviours that companies were looking for in employees in the past?
- ⌚ 2:01 What does it mean to ‘be your own boss’?
- ⌚ 2:11 What questions can we ask when we have a career discussion with ourselves?
- ⌚ 2:25 Who can’t we rely on to manage our career any more?
part three
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the third part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 2:45 What does ‘climbing the ladder’ mean in the context of one’s career?
- ⌚ 2:52 What do many people do once they reach the next rung of the ladder?
- ⌚ 3:14 What does William encourage us to do everyday?
- ⌚ 3:33 How should we see our career advancement?
- ⌚ 3:50 How can we demonstrate that we add value to our workplace?
part four
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the last part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 4:08 What do successful people want to know about their daily activities?
- ⌚ 4:14 What do they want to increase?
- ⌚ 4:16 What do they need to demostrate?
- ⌚ 4:31 How can we ‘put a mark’ on everything we do professionally?
POLL
Cast your vote in the poll.
DISCUSSION
WE NEED TO UP THE GAME
Alita and Kat are talking about their personal brands.
Read (role-play) their dialogues.
Alita: You know, Kat, I’ve been thinking about William Arruda’s principles of career distinction. It’s fascinating how he breaks it down: stand out and stand for something, be your own boss, forget the ladder, and build your brand.
Kat: I know, right? It really makes you reflect on how you approach your career. And honestly, Pete is already nailing it. He’s got such a clear personal brand. Everyone knows him as the go-to person for creative solutions.
Alita: Exactly! He’s always so consistent in how he presents himself. His LinkedIn profile, his projects, even the way he interacts with people—it all reinforces the same image. I admire how he’s built his reputation.
Kat: Me too. And he’s not just “standing out” for the sake of it; he really stands for something. You can tell he values innovation and collaboration. It’s inspiring, but it also makes me realize I need to step up my game.
Alita: Same here. I feel like I’m stuck in that traditional mindset—climbing the ladder instead of building a brand. Arruda’s idea of “forget the ladder” really hit me. It’s about creating your own path rather than waiting for someone to promote you.
Kat: Totally. And “be your own boss” doesn’t mean quitting your job; it’s about taking control of your career, even within the company. Pete’s great at that. He actively seeks out opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to him.
Alita: That’s what I need to start doing. I’ve been so focused on following what’s expected that I haven’t carved out my own space. I think the first step for me is figuring out what I want to be known for.
Kat: Same here. I want people to associate me with being a strong communicator and a team builder. I guess it’s time to stop admiring Pete and start applying these principles ourselves.
Alita: Agreed. Let’s make it a goal—by this time next year, we’ll have personal brands as strong as Pete’s.
Kat: Deal! And who knows, maybe Pete will come to us for advice by then!
Alita: Now that would be a career distinction! [laughs]
OVER TO YOU
Discuss the questions below. Refer to the information from the lesson and your own experience.
 | What does it mean to “stand out and stand for something” in your career, and how can this principle be applied in different industries? |
| Arruda suggests “forgetting the ladder” as a career strategy. What alternative paths to success do you think are most effective today? |
| How can someone “be their own boss” while working within a traditional company structure? What steps can they take to gain more control over their career? |
| Building your personal brand is often about consistency. What do you think are the biggest challenges in maintaining a consistent personal brand, and how can they be overcome? |
| Arruda’s principles focus on individuality and self-direction. How can these ideas help someone achieve long-term career satisfaction and success? |
lesson glossary
| Item | Polish Translation |
|---|---|
| Exceptional | Wyjątkowy |
| To determine | Określić |
| Stand out | Wyróżniać się |
| Ladder | Drabina |
| Stand for something | Reprezentować coś |
| To stick your neck out | Narażać się |
| Repel | Odpychać |
| Attract | Przyciągać |
| To take a stand | Zająć stanowisko |
| Make waves | Wywoływać zamieszanie |
| Conform | Dostosować się |
| Pension | Emerytura |
| Accomplish | Osiągnąć |
| Take it upon yourself | Wziąć na siebie |
| Proactively | Proaktywnie |
| Rungs of a ladder | Szczeble drabiny |
| Seek | Szukać |
| Reach out | Zwrócić się |
| And so forth | I tak dalej |
| Binary | Binarny |
| To get caught up in | Dać się wciągnąć w |
| To advance toward something | Zmierzać do czegoś |
| Ramp | Pochylnia |
| Integrate | Zintegrować |
| Detract | Ująć, odjąć |
| Put your mark on | Odcisnąć swoje piętno na |
| Item | Polish Translation |
COMMENTS
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