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The power struggle

Narrator

Welcome back to English at Work where Anna is very… well, very happy! You’re in a good mood Anna.

Anna

Well, I’m just back from France, where everything went really well. It was quite an experience.

Narrator

Good. You got the contract for that big order. All you need to do now is to deliver what you’ve promised.

Anna

I know.

Denise

Hello Anna. Is Tom OK? He seems really grumpy since he got back from France.

Anna

He’s fine. He just had to sleep on the sofa last night.

Denise

Really?! I’m sure that’s not what he was planning. Now, did Paul mention he’s got a new member of staff for you to meet this morning?

Anna

No.

Denise

Typical! Well, she’s coming up in the lift with Paul now.

Anna

Oh, so who is she?

Denise

It’s Rachel. Do you remember? She’s the woman who Mr Socrates recommended. He says she’s brilliant and allegedly one of his best employees… oh, here she comes now.

Paul

…and this is our office. Ah, Anna, there you are. Did I mention before you went to France, that Rachel is joining us for a while?

Anna

No.

Paul

Ah… well… here she is. This is Rachel.

Rachel

Hi!

Anna

Hi. I’m Anna. I work here as a sales executive.

Rachel

I know. You’re quite new aren’t you, ya?

Paul

Not that new. She’s just won a great contract for us. Anyway, looks like you two are going to get on like a house on fire. Anna, I’d like you to, sort of, work alongside Rachel.

Rachel

Alongside? Shouldn’t I be in charge?

Paul

Yes… it’s just, you know, you’re not familiar with our office and Anna is, sort of, across this new contract… so… if you don’t mind?

Rachel

OK. Just for now, but don’t think I’m going to be told what to do.

Anna

I’m sure you won’t be Rachel but maybe we could help each other?

Rachel

I’ll try.

Anna

Good! Oh dear. This is awkward. I’ve never worked with anyone like this before.

Narrator

Well, now’s your chance Anna. Rachel may be awkward to manage but try these phrases which may help things go more smoothly. Say, “I understand you have lots of experience so I would like to use your skills to help with the task.” And, “Together we can do this job really well.” But why not just start by making her a cup of tea. Good luck!

Anna

Oh thanks. Rachel, would you like a cup of tea? And then we could talk about this contract.

Rachel

I don’t drink tea. Let’s just get down to business.

Anna

Oh, right.

Rachel

Now, I think you need to check your stock and make sure you’ve got your oranges.

Anna

Err… It’s lemons actually.

Rachel

Whatever. Just get them and… you know… put them in a… thingy… a box.

Anna

Well, actually… I understand you have lots of experience so maybe we could you use your skills for this task?

Rachel

Well, it’s true, I do have lots of experience. Thanks for recognising that.

Anna

So maybe… we could work on this job… together?

Rachel

Oh ya, sure. Great. Of course. I can get hold of these oranges… err… lemons, pronto. I know a man who can get some second-hand ones, it’ll save us loads of money.

Anna

But what about the quality?

Rachel

Quality?! It’s the cost we’ve got to worry about. Keep up Hannah.

Anna

Anna.

Narrator

Come on Anna. Don’t let her boss you around. It’s time to stand your ground. If she causes trouble say “let’s discuss this so we can agree on a plan of action” or “please respect my decision and let’s move on.”

Anna

Hmm, OK, I’ll give it a try. Rachel, I like your enthusiasm but… can we discuss this so we can agree on a plan of action?

Rachel

Of course. Why didn’t you say? Come on discuss… discuss… talk!

Anna

Well, we pride ourselves on quality products and our Imperial Lemon is particularly good… and I think our client is expecting that. So I would like to send them what I had promised in the contract.

Rachel

Oh ya, I see. But I’m not really sure you’re right.

Anna

Well, if you could just respect my decision this time and we can move on?

Rachel

Well, just this once Hannah. But I think I’m going to have to talk to Mr Socrates about you.

Narrator

Well done Anna for standing your ground. It can sometimes be tricky working with a new member of staff, but it’s important to try and develop a good working relationship – remember business comes first! Let’s hear those phrases again: I understand you have lots of experience, so I would like to use your skills to help with the task.

Together we can do this job really well.

Let’s discuss this so we can agree on a plan of action.

Please respect my decision and let’s move on.

Tom

Hi Anna. Can’t believe we were in France this time yesterday.

Rachel

Oh hello, Tommy boy. Long time no see! This is a nice surprise.

Tom

Err… mmmm…

Anna

Have you two met before?

Rachel

We certainly have. Hey Tommy boy?

Tom

Oh no!

Narrator

Ha ha. Looks like Tom is lost for words – let’s hope he finds them in time for the next episode of English at Work. Bye!