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Problem solving 2a

1.Discuss in pairs.

1. Describe one problem you’ve recently had to solve at work and how you have done it.
2. How do you approach solving problems?
3. Do you prefer to solve problems individually or in a team?
4.How often do you look for the root cause of a problem?

2.Let’s look at the picture about uncomfortable atmosphere in the office. What is wrong there in your opinion

3. Watchavideo[https://youtu.be/B-M3YlA2KDg] about a problem-solving method developed by Sakichi Toyoda, a Japanese

inventor and industrialist, and answer the questions.

a) What does the technique involve?

b) Why do we use that technique?
c) What example of a problem to solve does the speaker give?

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4.Look at the example below and then complete the other graph by asking 5 why questions to get to the root cause.

PROBLEM: I CAN’T PRINT MY DOCUMENTS AT WORK

PROBLEM: I RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT WHILE GOING TO WORK

4. Write down a problem you’ve had recently. In groups of three, analyse your problems together by asking “why...?”. If the
answer you get doesn’t identify the root cause, continue asking “why...?” until you agree that the problem’s root cause has
been identified.

5.Let’s look at the following scenarios and give our assumptions on how problem can be solved
Scenario: Taylor leads a team, and two team members conflict, causing tension and affecting productivity and morale. Both the
team members allege that the other one needs to contribute more. Taylor must find a way to resolve the conflict and restore
harmony within the team.
What does Taylor do to overcome this problem?

Scenario: Erica, a manager, has discovered that one of their team members is being discriminated against by other team
members based on race, gender, or other characteristics. Erica wants to address this problem and create a safe and inclusive
workplace for all team members.

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Problem solving 2b
1 It is common to classify communication styles as direct or indirect. A person's communication style may depend on their
culture. In pairs, read the text and discuss the questions.

1.Think of one potential advantage and disadvantage of communicating directly, and one potential advantage and disadvantage
of communicating indirectly.
2.How would you classify the communication style of your own national culture? Do you Like this style? Why?

2.Watch as Matt prepares for a progress meeting with Kenji about the Japan side of the project. Video 4.3.1.
1 In general how happy is Matt with the progress of the Japanese side of the project. Why?
2 Note down the challenges Kenji has in managing the Japanese side of the project.
3 What advice does Matt get from Jack, his colleague, on how to handle Kenji?
4 Why is Matt unsure about following this advice?
5 Do you agree that project leaders need to push people hard to make projects work? Why / Why not?

З In small groups, discuss which is the best communication style (option A or B) for Matt to manage his meeting with Kenji.
Give reasons for your answers. Videos 4.3.2/4.3.3
Option A Matt takes Jack's advice to communicate directly with Kenji and confront him about the problems with his side of the project. He
demands that Kenji delivers on time and imposes a way forward.
Option B Matt follows his instincts to be supportive and communicate indirectly with Kenji.He asks questions to clarify the reasons for project
delay and involves Kenji in deciding a way to get his side of the project back on track.

1 How many weeks has the project now been delayed, according to Matt?
2 How does Kenji respond to Matt when he raises the problem? What is Matt's reaction to this explanation?
3 What is the solution which is agreed? Who suggests it?
4 Overall, how successful is Matt's communication style? Why?

4. Watch the Conclusions section of the video and compare what is said with your answers in Exercise 3. Note down three
main learning points. How far do you agree with these points? Why? Video 4.3.4

5.Think about following questions and express your personal opinion.

Which communication style, direct or indirect, do you prefer to use? Why?
What are one advantage and one possible disadvantage of your own personal style?

6 Look at these extracts from the video. Which phrases in bold are a) offering help, and b) responding to an offer of help?
1.I think we can manage.
2.I'd like to help. Is there any further support from our side which can help?
3.Maybe Stefanie, is she available? Her expertise would be very helpful.
4.I can ask her to travel to Japan.
5.Yes, that would be good.
6.Thanks for the support Matt, I appreciate it.

7 Decide if these phrases in bold are a) offering help, b) responding to an offer help, or c) asking for help.
1. Is there anything I can do to help?
2. Could you help me, please?
3. Would you like me to help you out?
4. Let me give you a hand with that.
5. No thanks, l'm fine/OK.
6. Need a hand with finishing that
7. Thanks for offering but I'll be fine
8. Would you mind helping me?

8 Choose one of the situations below. Write a short dialogue using phrases for asking for help, offering help and
responding to help.
1 You are work colleagues. One of you has to organise a visit to the company for some VIP clients.
2 You are family. One of you is going away on holiday for a month and leaving your flat empty.
3 You are work colleagues. One of you has just started your first job after university. You have no work experience.

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Problem solving 2c
1.Work in pairs and read the tips below. Decide which of the two ideas in each pair is more important. Then decide which
two are the most important overall.

2. 4.04 Listen to Roel Jansen, who works as Head of Sales for a furniture company
in the Netherlands. He has called a meeting with his sales team to discuss an urgent problem. Answer the questions.
1. What is the problem?
2. What could happen if the problem is not solved?
3. Which three possible solutions are suggested by team members?

3. 4.05 Listen to the end of the meeting and answer the questions.
1. What is the decision?
2. When will the problem be solved?
3. Who has to do what, and by when?

4.How many of the six tips in Exercise 1 were used by Roel's team during their meeting?
How effective do you think the discussion was? Why?

5.Look at the phrases used by Roel and Peter to lead the meeting. Match each phrase (a-f) with one of the tips in Exercise
a I think that's a nice idea; [simple and doable].
b Shall I take this on, or do any of you have time to do this?
c Great to see you all here today.
d OK, then I think we need to look at [recruitment as the quick solution]. Agreed?
e What else can we do?
f The real problem is la lack of language competence here in the company, which we need to solve or we will lose potential
customers].

6.Now look at these sentences (1-9). Match the sentences with the categories (a-f)
for participating in problem-solving meetings.

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Problem solving 2d

1. Discuss the following quotations from a video you’re going to watch. What do you think they mean? Do you agree or
disagree with them? Give reasons for your answers.

“We all have this colleague who, we hope, quits his job so everyone in the office is happy. If you don’t know any such person, quit
your job.”

“I told all my colleagues at work that I have a twin so that when I see them in public I don’t have to talk to them.”

2. Discuss the questions.

1. How well do you get on with your colleagues?

2. Have you ever experienced a difficult relationship with a colleague? What happened?

3. Match the phrases in the following sentences to their definitions.

1.His constant complaining really gets under my skin.

2.When you have a problem with someone at work, you have to be able to cross the divide.
3.It’s important to develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety.
4.Everyone’s got too much work to do! We’re all in the same boat.
5.A manager must know how to build rapport with their team.

a)find ways to manage painful or difficult situations

b)establish a relationship and build understanding with someone whose views are different to yours
c)develop trust, liking and friendship with someone
d)irritate or upset someone
e)be in the same or a similar situation

4.Replace the words and phrases in the sentences below with the correct form of the phrasal verbs in the box.

a) She keeps postponing important phone calls.

b) I think he’s just shy, but he can emit/produce a snobbish vibe.
c) My colleagues keep excluding me from discussions.
d) My boss never praises my work but he’s always quick to draw attention to my mistakes.

5.Discuss and agree or disagree with the following statements. Circle the number which is true for you (1 = absolutely agree, 5
= absolutely disagree). Compare and give reasons for your answers with a partner.

1.I tend to put off difficult tasks and conversations. 1 2 3 4 5

2.I don’t mind if a colleague points out my mistakes. 1 2 3 4 5
3.I have good coping mechanisms for stressful situations. 1 2 3 4 5
4.Sometimes I give the wrong impression to other people. 1 2 3 4 5

6.You’re going to watch a video giving advice about relationships at work. Predict the following:

1.What kinds of behaviours can cause problems between people at work?

2.Tips for resolving problem relationships at work.

7.Watch the video [https://youtu.be/F1F-7cDOX2I] and find out whether any of your ideas from ex. 6 are mentioned.

8.Watch the video again and complete the following sentences.

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TIP ONE: FACE THE PROBLEM

a) Most of the time, we find that people want to ................................. with the other person, because they dislike them. b)
...a difficult, but open and honest conversation, with the person you dislike can bring a ................................. .

TIP TWO: CHECK YOUR NARRATIVE

c) Thinkaboutwhatyou..................................
d) ...nobody is getting the benefit of their different ................................. .

TIP THREE: GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE

e) Ask questions and seek to understand the ................................. . f)

If you show that you’re open to listening to the other person and genuinely want to understand where they’re coming from,
you’ll have a much more ................................. .

9.Discuss the following questions. Give reasons for your answers.

1.What kinds of bad habits at work really get under your skin?
2.How do good managers build rapport with their team?
3.Have you or any of your colleagues ever been frozen out at work?
4.Can you give an example of when you crossed the divide with someone at work?

10.Watch the final part of the video again (from 03:31) and correct the following statements.

Remember...

a) It’s probably personal.

b) You don’t have to learn to like the person that you’re in conflict with, you just have to tolerate them.

c) Be willing to stick to your assumptions and then learn from that.

d) Offer your own ideas and approaches.

e) Be yourself. Be open, be honest about your own faults and weaknesses.

11.Discuss the statements in ex. 10. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers.

Problem solving 2E

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1. Which rules of brainstorming can you think of? Let’s read an article about benefits of brainstorming together.

The Power of Brainstorming in IT Companies: Unleashing Creativity and Driving Innovation

Introduction:
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of IT, problem-solving and innovation are essential for success. One powerful
technique that IT companies use to tackle challenges and generate innovative ideas is brainstorming. In this article, we will
explore the significance of brainstorming in IT companies, its benefits, and how it can foster a culture of creativity and
collaboration.
The Importance of Brainstorming in IT Companies:
Brainstorming is a structured and collaborative technique that encourages team members to generate a wide range of ideas, think
outside the box, and explore different perspectives. In the context of IT companies, where complex problems often arise,
brainstorming provides a platform for teams to come together, leverage their collective knowledge and expertise, and find creative
solutions.
Benefits of Brainstorming in IT Companies:
1. Encourages Creativity: Brainstorming sessions allow individuals to break free from conventional thinking and explore
innovative ideas. By creating an open and non-judgmental environment, IT companies can inspire their employees to think
creatively and propose out-of-the-box solutions.
2. Fosters Collaboration: Brainstorming brings together diverse perspectives and skill sets within an IT team. It encourages
active participation, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas. By leveraging the collective intelligence of the team, brainstorming
enables the generation of more comprehensive and robust solutions.
3. Sparks Innovation: In the IT industry, innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition. Brainstorming sessions
provide a fertile ground for innovation by encouraging the exploration of new technologies, approaches, and solutions. By
fostering a culture of innovation, IT companies can drive growth and adapt to changing market demands.
4. Problem-Solving: Brainstorming is a powerful problem-solving tool. By gathering a variety of ideas and perspectives, IT
teams can identify potential solutions, uncover hidden challenges, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles. Brainstorming
allows for a systematic exploration of the problem space, leading to more effective and efficient problem-solving.
To make the most of brainstorming sessions, IT companies can follow these best practices:
1. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define the problem or challenge that needs to be addressed during the brainstorming
session. This helps focus the discussion and ensures that participants are aligned towards a common goal.
2. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a safe and non-judgmental environment where all ideas are welcomed and
respected. Encourage participants to think freely, without fear of criticism or rejection. This helps unleash creativity and
encourages individuals to share their unique perspectives.
3. Utilize Brainstorming Techniques: There are several brainstorming techniques that IT companies can employ, such as free
association, mind mapping, reverse brainstorming, and the Six Thinking Hats method. These techniques provide structure and
guide the thought process, leading to more productive and focused brainstorming sessions.

2.Look through the following statements and say if they areTrue or False:
1. Brainstorming is a technique used by IT companies to generate innovative ideas.
2. Brainstorming encourages individuals to think within conventional boundaries.
3. Collaboration is not a significant benefit of brainstorming in IT companies.
4. Brainstorming sessions in IT companies can help drive growth and adapt to changing market demands.
5. Brainstorming is not an effective problem-solving tool.
6. Defining clear objectives is not necessary for successful brainstorming sessions.
7. A supportive environment is crucial for unleashing creativity during brainstorming sessions.
8. Utilizing brainstorming techniques can enhance the productivity of brainstorming sessions.
9. Mind mapping is not a commonly used brainstorming technique in IT companies.
10. The Six Thinking Hats method is primarily focused on critical thinking during brainstorming sessions.
Vocabulary Task:

3.Match the following terms related to brainstorming with their definitions.

1. Conventional thinking
2. Collective intelligence
3. Fertile ground
4. Hidden challenges
5. Systematic exploration

Definitions:
a. The process of actively gathering and combining the knowledge, skills, and expertise of a group to achieve a common goal.
b. Ideas or obstacles that are not immediately apparent or visible, requiring deeper analysis and problem-solving.
c. The existing or traditional way of thinking that follows established norms and practices.
d. A favorable environment or condition that is conducive to the generation of new ideas and solutions.
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e. Methodical and organized investigation or examination of a problem or situation to uncover insights and potential solutions.

4.Choose the correct verb form or word form to complete each sentence.

1. Brainstorming ____________ a powerful technique that IT companies use to tackle challenges.

a) is
b) are
c) has been
2. The team members ____________ encouraged to think outside the box during brainstorming sessions.
a) is
b) are
c) were
3. Collaboration and the sharing of ideas ____________ key elements in effective brainstorming.
a) is
b) are
c) were
4. Brainstorming sessions ____________ a platform for teams to come together and find creative solutions.
a) provides
b) provide
c) provided
5. Clear objectives ____________ important to focus the discussion during brainstorming sessions.
a) is
b) are
c) were
6. A supportive environment ____________ creativity and encourages individuals to share their perspectives.
a) unleashes
b) unleash
c) unleashed
7. Various brainstorming techniques ____________ employed by IT companies to enhance productivity.
a) is
b) are
c) were
8. Mind mapping ____________ a visual tool that helps organize and connect ideas.
a) is
b) are
c) were
9. The Six Thinking Hats method ____________ different thinking roles to participants.
a) assigns
b) assign
c) assigned
10. Brainstorming sessions ____________ a valuable tool for problem-solving and innovation.
a) is
b) are
c) were