国際的なチームでは、プロジェクトのスタート時にチームメンバー同士、お互いの紹介をする時間を取ることがあります。また、同じような言葉で同僚について説明する機会もあるかもしれません。
Discuss with your teacher:
- Think of the best consultant you've ever met. How would you describe them?
- Can you describe yourself in detail to a new team?
1. The characteristics of a high performing consultant are broad. Let the student lead this and support them. Don't add much unless there is a big blank spot.
- Basically, a great manager needs two things:
- The intellectual ability to come up with impressive solutions (logical thinking, dedication, analytical skill, etc...).
- The interpersonal ability to sell that solution to the client (presentation skills, being a good listener, building rapport, etc...).
2 . International projects often have an extended onboarding process. Consultants take time to get to know each other.
Danger: you need to talk about yourself positively without sounding like you are arrogant. Most people wouldn't describe themselves with such high praise.
Litmus test for confident students
Check to see if your student can handle these questions naturally.
You might say, "So, your English is really good. I think these detailed introductions might be fine for you, but let's check to see if there is any new language or style to pick up. I have a few questions for you."
1. Can you quickly but clearly describe your role in your project?
(If this is done perfectly, skip Language A.)
2. Can you describe yourself in detail so you seem capable without seeming arrogant?
(If this is done perfectly, just take a very brief look at Language B.)
3. Can you naturally show some enthusiasm for starting a project?
(If this is done perfectly, just take a very brief look at Language C.)
Read each of the following introductions and think about an appropriate context for each one.
1. We're going to have a new team member tomorrow. His name's Tony. We actually worked together on a consumer products case earlier this year. He's quite the rock star—he took care of critical analysis and helped us win a second contract. Make sure you give him a warm welcome when he comes.
2. Hi, I'm Tony. I have a background in aerospace engineering. I worked on developing some systems in rockets that deliver satellites into orbit. People have called me a rocket scientist, but it wasn't that impressive. I was really just a space plumber. I love problem solving and detail-oriented tasks. I'm also happy to have a drink when we reach our deadlines. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all better. Thank you.
3. I'd like to introduce Tony Hale. Tony is a technology expert with a background in aerospace. Tony will be handling a lot of your analysis.
After reading, ask the student: What do you think of Tony Hale? Would you like to work with him?
One goal here is teaming and managing impressions.
Vocabulary:
- Rock star—consulting term: a person who is both very talented and very hardworking. Typically a top performer in a team. From this list.
Here are some possible contexts for Tony's three introductions:
1. To an existing team in an internal meeting.—You can give detail, and you can highlight their achievements or personality. It helps with teaming to give public praise and build respect.
2. Tony has introduced himself well.
Nuance: "rocket scientist" = genius; "space plumber" is a more humble way of describing his job.
3. Notice that the speaker doesn't use "he" when introducing Tony. Why?
- It can seem impolite to talk about a person like they aren't there. Rather, use the person's name.
- It also helps the other people remember his name!
A. To begin, you can talk about your position or tasks. For each of the following phrases, describe yourself and the partner overseeing your project:
- I’m in charge of... / I’m responsible for... [+ verb-ing/noun]
- I handle... / I deal with... [+ plural noun]
- I oversee... [+ people]
- Currently, I’m working on a project related to _____.
B. Look at the following chart. Which of these words/phrases describe you best at work? (Choose as many as are true.) Do the ones in the left-hand column contrast with the ones to the right, or can a person be both?
Passionate
Cool under pressure
Honest and direct with feedback
Empathetic and understanding
Good with numbers/figures
Highly visual
Task-focused
A people-person
Logical thinker
Lateral thinker
Now, choose a few words to describe someone you know.
C. Using natural expressions is a great way to make a strong first impression. The following phrases are a few options.
Discuss each one with your teacher.
- Hit the ground running—start working very quickly.
- I have some experience in this field, so I'm hoping to hit the ground running.
- Learning curve—the time it takes to learn something new.
- This is my first manufacturing project, so there might be a steep learning curve.
- Learn the ropes—the act of learning a new skill.
- I'm a first-year consultant, so I'm still learning the ropes. Thanks in advance for your patience.
Do you have any other idioms or natural phrases you like to use?
A. When people join your team after roles have been assigned, you may have to describe what you do. It's also important to be able to talk about your duties in detail.
Yourself: I'm...
Overseeing partner: He's.../She's.../They're...
Talking about your tasks should be a safe topic. (Don't reveal any secrets, like company names or specific plans.)
- I’m in charge of... / I’m responsible for... [+ noun/verb-ing]—Used to describe your tasks or specific objectives in a project.
- These emphasize your role in the hierarchy, i.e., your manager has put you in charge of something, and there may be people under you who you help carry out objectives.
- I handle... [+ plural noun]—Used for hands-on tasks; seems slightly positive.
I deal with... [+ specific plural noun]—As above, but seems tougher or slightly negative.- E.g.: ...a lot of data analysis; ...some of the client interviews; ...most of the big-picture aspects of my projects.
- I oversee... [+ team, people]—Used for senior staff, team leaders, managers or executives.
- E.g.: ...3 junior consultants; ...two different projects.
- Currently, I’m working on a project related to ______. —Used for introductions in global training, and when talking with consultants around the office who are not on your team.
- E.g.: ...consumer affairs; ...the tech industry; ...meditech; ...finance; ...manufacturing; etc.
B. The words and phrases on the left contrast somewhat with the ones on the right, but a person could be both. You can use them to talk about people they know who are mostly one or the other.
Simplified contrasts:
- Passionate ⇔ Cool under pressure
- Very honest with feedback ⇔ Empathetic
- Good with numbers ⇔ Highly creative; or "Has a way with words"
- Focused on the task ⇔ A people-person
- Logical thinker (sees issues straight from A to B to C) ⇔ Lateral thinker (creative, views issues in a new and unusual light.)
Note: It's also good to give details and specifics to back up the way you describe others. Tony from the introduction has an engineering background, so he loves problem-solving and detail-oriented tasks.
E.g.: Steve Jobs was a really passionate guy. He was really task-focused and achieved so many amazing things. He was also a great lateral thinker; he was never confined by preset frameworks or ideas.
C.
Why idioms?
- Idioms bring up a lot of pre-packaged imagery. They are emotive and they resonate with native speakers.
- Don't over-use them, but on the other hand, a well-placed idiom will bring your language to life.
1. Hit the ground running—start with momentum and enthusiasm.
E.g.: Ken and I worked together last year. He did a great job, so I'm confident he'll hit the ground running.
- For a more detailed explanation, you can share this one-minute lesson with your student.
2. Learning curve—the time it takes to learn something new.
E.g.: This is her first manufacturing project, so there will be a learning curve.
3. Learn the ropes—the act of learning a new skill.
E.g.: This is your first project, right? Well, Ken will help you learn the ropes.
- For a more detailed explanation, you can share this one-minute lesson with your student.
You can also mention this one:
Bring [someone] up to speed—to give someone the latest information.
E.g.: Ken, you're new, so can you work with Mike today? He'll bring you up to speed.
E.g.: Sorry I'm late! The trains are delayed. Can you just bring me up to speed on what I missed?
Note: The Business Idioms course has a TON if your student is interested.
Remember that your introduction is highly context-specific. Look at the following situations and respond naturally.
A. You are beginning a large, international project. Your team leader says he'd like to take the morning for introductions and teaming. He invites you all to introduce yourselves.
- The first person says,
Hi everyone, I'm Leslie. Let me see, well, my background is in journalism. I was a financial reporter for about 3 years, and then I joined the firm about 2 years ago. In that time, I've worked on projects in a variety of fields, from pharma to manufacturing. I love learning new things and I try to be as coachable as possible. So let me hear all the feedback you have for me! I'm also happy to lend a hand if I can. Just ask. I'm really excited about getting to know you all.
- You are next. What will you say?
B. A managing partner says that you will be leading a 3-person team for a consumer goods project. You can pick two colleagues you've worked with before. Who will you choose? Describe them. (For the purpose of this exercise, you should not use their real names.)