ESL WORKSHEET - Behavior / Problems at Work

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

NARCISSISM

LinguaHouse
Jul. 16, 2022

Level: Advanced (C1-C2)
Type of English: Business English
Tags: Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Business People; Problems at Work; Psychology; Useful Vocabulary; Marketing; Human Resources (HR); Ethics and Conduct; Challenges; 18+ Years Old; Article Based; Speaking
Publication date: 07/16/2022

This lesson looks at the topic of narcissism in the workplace and how it can affect businesses. Students will listen to a conversation about a narcissist and read an article discussing the various aspects of the topic. Exercises focus on reading and listening skills, and related vocabulary, and students are given an opportunity to discuss questions relating to the subject (by Joe Wilson).

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT (American English)

Helena: Saeed, you won’t believe what he’s done.
Saeed: What?
Helena: That presentation I spent weeks on using all the market research I’ve collected over the past few months, he’s using it.
Saeed: Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you want the CEO to be using your presentation?
Helena: Yes, but he used it and removed my name from the end so he could put his own in.
Saeed: Really?
Helena: Yes! He didn’t even mention me, even when the team manager for sales said how much she enjoyed the presentation. He just said ‘I’m glad you liked it.’
Saeed: He loves people telling him how well he is doing. And he’s really in his element when everyone is looking at him, isn’t he? I can see his appeal though. He’s one of those people who, when he’s talking to you, you feel as though you are all he is interested in.
Helena: Yes, like you’re the center of his world. I know what you mean. But wow, the arrogance of using my presentation and presenting it while I was in the audience and not mentioning me once?
Saeed: It doesn’t surprise me, honestly. I know he’s done the same with the Head of Accounting. And if you think about the monthly company meetings, he always talks in terms of ‘I’ and ‘me’ and you’d think that all of the new ideas for products were thought of by him personally. Yet, all the department heads seem to compete for his attention.
Helena: Yes, which is amazing to me given how rash his decision-making is. Sales had to entirely refocus on Asia after he decided he didn’t want to sell to Latin America. We’re not sure why, but it is suspected that he’s not happy with the Latin American sales team. It is rumored that a manager there said he wasn’t good at his job. Yet, Latin America is an important market for us. We’re huge there. I don’t know if the shareholders will be happy about it.
Saeed: Well, he’s the one who will tell them about it, probably using someone else’s presentation! I’m sure he will put it in a way that will make him look good.
Helena: But when it affects our profits, that will be hard to disguise.
Saeed: Yeah, but I’m sure he’ll blame it on the sales team in Latin America and present himself as the solution to the problem. Asia is a riskier market for us, but if we do well there, it’ll be huge for the company and his profile. He’s had the marketing teams working overtime to push into that area. I think some of them worked really long hours and hardly saw their families.
Helena: And of course, if it goes well, he’ll take the credit; and if it doesn’t, it will be someone else’s fault.
Saeed: While we’re on the subject, and keep this to yourself, but I know some people in accounts, and I’ve heard whispers that he’s using some kind of illegal scheme to avoid tax and boost profits.
Helena: Really?
Saeed: Yes. They think if the government gets wind of it, they will start taking a lot of interest in us.
Helena: You know, I think it might be time to start looking for another job. There are too many things here that are worrying and they all lead back to him.
Saeed: True. Or it might be that his days are numbered and he’ll be out soon. It could be a good idea to just try and weather the storm.
Helena: Food for thought. I’ve got to get to a meeting but I’ll catch you later, Saeed.
Saeed: OK, Helena. See you later.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/business-english/narcissism. Accessed on July 18, 2022. © 2008–2022 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.