Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How can you determine if someone is a hard worker?
- Do you agree that working more hours means hard work? Please explain your answer.
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- get ahead /GET uh-HED/
- expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/
- promotion /pruh-MOH-shuhn/
- likable /LAHY-kuh-buhl/
- political /puh-LIT-i-kuhl/
[phrasal verb] – to achieve success, often in your work or in society
Takeshi is extremely motivated to get ahead in his career.
[noun] – the feeling or belief that something will or should happen
There is a high expectation for her to get into medical school.
[noun] – the act of raising someone to a higher or more important position or rank
Everyone congratulated Mary on her promotion to manager.
[adjective] – easy to like
The old professor was strict but likable.
[adjective] – relating to getting or keeping power within a particular company, organization, etc.
The employees were skeptical of the CEO’s decision. It seemed purely political.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
We’re taught from a young age that hard work is the way to get ahead of everyone. But is that the best method to succeed?
“Hard work is a good start” and it can certainly help you establish yourself in a job early in your career, but it won’t get you to the top, says executive coach Jeff Shannon. “At a certain point, you look around and realize, wow, everyone works hard at this level. Expertise and hard work just become the expectation, and will not help you up the ladder,” Shannon added. If no one notices you doing it, hard labor isn’t worth anything. When it comes to promotions and growth in today’s changing workplace, you must make people notice your efforts—including yourself. This phenomenon is called the “tiara effect” by Carol Frohlinger, president of a US-based consulting firm. In most organizations and sectors, proven ability isn’t enough; you also need to be likable. You must be not only a brilliant worker but also a politician who can be viewed as a leader to climb the corporate ladder.
Getting “political” may appear a bit manipulative, but it isn’t damaging to anyone, and it may be necessary to advance. The only one who can take care of your career is yourself and nobody else.
“Hard work is a good start” and it can certainly help you establish yourself in a job early in your career, but it won’t get you to the top, says executive coach Jeff Shannon. “At a certain point, you look around and realize, wow, everyone works hard at this level. Expertise and hard work just become the expectation, and will not help you up the ladder,” Shannon added. If no one notices you doing it, hard labor isn’t worth anything. When it comes to promotions and growth in today’s changing workplace, you must make people notice your efforts—including yourself. This phenomenon is called the “tiara effect” by Carol Frohlinger, president of a US-based consulting firm. In most organizations and sectors, proven ability isn’t enough; you also need to be likable. You must be not only a brilliant worker but also a politician who can be viewed as a leader to climb the corporate ladder.
Getting “political” may appear a bit manipulative, but it isn’t damaging to anyone, and it may be necessary to advance. The only one who can take care of your career is yourself and nobody else.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What did Jeff Shannon say about hard work?
- Based on the article, what must people do to be promoted in today’s changing workplace?
- What did Carol Frohlinger call the phenomenon of making others notice your efforts?
- According to the article, what else is needed aside from proven ability in most organizations?
- What must a worker be viewed as to climb the corporate ladder?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How is hard work rewarded in your workplace/school?
- How do you make people notice your hard work?
- Would you also attempt to get “political” to be successful? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, is it better to advance in your career at an early age?
- For you, what must people do to be seen as a leader?