II. Read the text once again and see if the writer’s ideas are the same as yours

Match the cartoons and the eight sub-sections of the text.

III. Find in the text English equivalents for the following words and word combinations:по-разному, исключение, консультативная деятельность, вести курсы, подход, конкурентный, оправдывать, достижение, всесторонний подход к вопросу, решать проблемы, принимать во внимание, самозащита, убедительные жесты, вера в успех, побуждающий.

IV. Complete the sentences with the right word

1) The end justifies …. .

a) the methods b) the means c) the results

2) Collective action and ….. are more important than personal achievement.

a) responsibility b) influence c) power

3) The male approach is to go to the ….. of the problem, without taking into account secondary considerations.

a) centre b) middle c) heart

4) A stereotypical female pose is sitting ….. .

a) straight b) cross-legged c) cross-armed

5) The male way of speaking does not ….. discussion.

a) encourage b) result in c) stimulate

6) Women tend to talk about staff problems and ….. matters.

a) private b) social c) personal

7) Female makes jokes against herself as a ….. .

a) caveat b) explanation c) warning

Writing

Write a short answer on the question “Who is more successful in business: a man or a woman?”

Lesson 4. Culture and style of management

Warm up

· Is it possible to avoid all conflicts at work? Why yes\no?

· Have you ever faced the conflicts with anybody except your relatives and friends? How did you solve them?

· How can management style help to solve some relation problems in the office?

· Are management styles different among countries? In what way?

Case study

I. Study the following reference.

Conflict management style

A conflict management style is the pattern of behaviour an individual develops in response to conflict with others such as differences of opinion. Conflict management styles tend to be consistent over time.

The principle behind this is that greater awareness of their style by individuals enables them to make better choices in how to respond. Someone who knows they have a tendency to avoid conflict, for example, they might choose a different and perhaps more appropriate response. The most widely used tool for this is a conflict style inventory, typically a short questionnaire filled out by a user, with interpretation of the scores given in writing or by an instructor. The point is not to categorize the user, but rather to give him or her framework in which to assess their responses and options.

II. Tasks:

1) What do you think about such an alternative in management as a conflict management style? Do you agree with it?

2) Develop a strategy of labour relations during a conflict style (the supervisor – subordinate, the head – the chief of departments, etc.)

3) Choose a company and illustrate conflict relations in it (in groups). Try to ease the tension (снять напряжение) in the office as it’s possible.

Team work

Put in the right order the following steps of choosing a management style in an organization.

· Once this is done, the company will then need to study the behavioral profile of its employees.

· The country where a business operates would also affect the style of management it practices.

· The aim of any management style is to motivate employees to produce their best work performance.

· A company would first of all have to ascertain its short term and strategic goals.

· A company’s chosen management style will either increase its employee’s productivity or diminish their overall work morale.

· Regardless of what managerial style an organization executes, an effective flow of communication between all hierarchical levels of the organization is imperative. Without adequate communication, no managerial style can operate.

· Management style could either make or break an organization.

Presentation

Style of management in different countries

The characteristics of management often vary according to national culture, which can determine how managers are trained, how they lead people and how they approach their jobs.

I. Now you will find five brief portraits of managers in five different countries: The USA, the UK, France, Germany and Sweden, decide which country each of these portraits correspond to.

1. Managers from this country:

· Consider professional and technical skills to be very important;

· Have a strong sense of authority;

· Respect the different positions in the hierarchy of their companies;

· Clearly define how jobs should be done;

· Are very loyal to their companies and expect their subordinates to obey them;

· Are often older than in other countries.

2. Managers from this country:

· Receive a general education;

· Delegate authority;

· Take a practical approach to management;

· Have relatively formal relationships at work;

· Encourage their employees to work individually;

· Believe it is important to continue education and training at work.

3. Managers from this country:

· Consider social qualities to be as important as education;

· Encourage their employees to take an interest in their work;

· Pay close attention to the quality of working life;

· Do not use as much authority as in other countries;

· Appreciate low-level decision-making;

· Are often women.

4. Managers from this country:

· Generally attend business schools;

· Communicate easily and informally at work;

· Admire the quantities of a leader;

· Expect everyone to work hard. Individual performance is measured and initiative is rewarded;

· Have competitive and sometimes aggressive attitudes towards work;

· Often accept innovation and change.

5. Managers from this country:

· Go through an elitist educational system;

· Have a strong sense of hierarchy and power;

· Often have impersonal relationships at work;

· Analyze problems in great detail before taking decisions;

· Consider speaking skills to be particularly important;

· More easily between state and private sectors.

Mark Powell, Ron Martinez, Rosi Jillett, New Business Matters, Coursebook

II. Choose a country, research its mentality and demonstrate the style of management used there in organizations in the form of Power Point presentation\organizational chart, etc.

Something interesting

Remember famous successful companies. Find out what management style is used there to succeed.