Can you elaborate on your thinking here?

(polite
language)

1. Discuss the quote. Say to what extent you agree with it and give examples
to illustrate your opinion.

“Being polite and grateful will make people more inclined to help
you. And if people are willing to help you, you may accidentally
get something you want.”
Jason Sudeikis

2. Look at some common workplace issues. Discuss whether you have

experienced any of them and decide which are the most difficult to solve.
• getting unclear instructions
• being given unwelcome advice
• being asked to work to unreasonable deadlines
• being micromanaged

3. Discuss how you would politely convey these points.

• “That makes absolutely no sense. What are you talking about?”
• “You're stepping on my toes and it's annoying. Stay in your own lane.”
• “These deadlines are impossible to meet.”
• “Can you leave me alone so that I can get my work done?”

4. Watch a video [https://youtube.com/shorts/AmFeQEEpHDo?] in which an

influencer suggests how to politely convey the messages from ex. 3. Decide
if you think your ideas are better than hers. Explain why.

5. Look at how the messages were conveyed in the video and complete the
gaps with the correct words. The first letter is provided.
a) “That makes absolutely no sense. What are you talking about?”
Can you e………………. on your thinking here?
b) “You're stepping on my toes and it's annoying. Stay in your own lane.”
I r………………. your eagerness to be involved in this. However, I feel as
t………………. it is resulting in duplicate work.

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 Can you elaborate on your thinking here? (polite
language)

c) “These deadlines are impossible to meet.”

G………………. the current amount of work with competing timelines, I do not
feel as though this deadline is f………………. .
d) “Can you leave me alone so that I can get my work done?”
I am c………………. with other work at the moment. Can you c……………….
your thoughts into a single email and I’ll review it when I have time?

6. Watch the video again and check your answers.

7. Discuss the questions.

• Would you use the language from the video with your coworkers? Why/Why
not?
• How does our choice of language influence our professional relationships?
• Can you think of other polite phrases to use when we want to set boundaries?
In which situations would you use them?

8. Look at some of the phrases from the video with different endings and add
one more ending to each one.
a) Can you elaborate on...
• your criticism?
• your earlier remarks?
• ………………………….…….
b) I recognize...
• your eagerness to…
• your reasons for…
• ………………………….…….
c) I feel as though...
• it is resulting in…
• we should consider…
• ………………………….…….

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 Can you elaborate on your thinking here? (polite
language)

d) I do not feel as though…

• this deadline is feasible.
• we’ve given it enough thought.
• ………………………….…….
e) Can you consolidate...
• your thoughts into a single message?
• your report into an email?
• ………………………….…….
f) I am consumed with...
• other work.
• several projects.
• ………………………….…….
g) Given...
• the amount of work ahead of us, I’d…
• the fact that the deadline was yesterday, we…
• ………………………….…….

9. Rewrite the sentences below in a more polite tone. Use ideas from ex. 8 and
your own.
a) This won’t work.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) Your presentation is too confusing. Please explain it to me.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
c) This idea simply doesn’t fit into our budget. Let’s change it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
d) There are more than enough people working on this project. Please don’t
interfere.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
e) Don’t book me in to so many meetings. I have actual work to do.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
f) Instead of having a meeting, why don’t you just email us?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

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 Can you elaborate on your thinking here? (polite
language)

10. In pairs, create short conversations for the following situations. Use polite
language.
Situation 1

Student A Student B
You want your colleague to join You are working to deliver several tasks
a project because you think it will be at the moment and cannot take on any
a great opportunity for them. more work.

Situation 2

Student B
Student A
You are working on a project with your
Your team is working on a project. As
colleagues. You have been updating
the team lead, you want to get updates
your team lead on progress three times
on the project more often.
a week.

Situation 3

Student A Student B
You see you have been booked in to You booked a meeting at lunchtime for
a meeting during your lunch hour. Student A because it is really important.
Politely decline. Explain your reasons.

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 Can you elaborate on your thinking here? (polite
language)

Situation 4

Student A
You need to transcribe some notes from
a meeting but your shift is ending now.
You were supposed to have done it
today. Ask your colleague for help.
Student B
You have had a busy day, you are tired
and just want to go home.

Situation 5

Student A
You have heard about an interesting
conference happening at the end of
the week. You would like to attend it.
Request the day off from your
manager.
Student B
You are a manager and there is an
important deadline to meet by the end of
this week. You can’t allow anyone to take
time off at this point (except for
emergencies).

Situation 6

Student A
Student B
You are a manager. You just found out
You have a task to deliver by the end of
you must attend a last-minute meeting
the day. You are working to a short
but you already have some other tasks
deadline but it’s feasible. You can’t take
to complete. Ask a subordinate to do
on any more work, though.
these tasks for you.

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