How your words reflect your attitude Learn from the American can-do spirit. Positive language focuses on what you can do instead of what you cannot do. This will be especially effective and helpful if you have to deliver bad news or say no to someone.
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Positive language tells what can be done. ʦ It suggests alternatives and choices. ʦ It is helpful and encouraging. Body Language: smiling, maintaining a calm and neutral face, nodding to indicate agreement or encouragement
American World War II poster to boost female worker morale.
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1 Study negative versus positive language. Make the negative sentences a-c positive. For example: Negative: “I’m not able to process your request because you did not give me all of the information I needed.” Positive: “I’d be more than happy to process your request. I just need to get a bit more information from you.” a “I don’t understand what you mean. This is not going to work.” b “I can’t help you on your project.” c “I give up. The task you have given me is not possible to solve.”
63($.,1* 2 Switch your answers to task 1 with someone in class and act out being more positive. Discuss the answers and change if necessary. 3 Find Springsteen’s "Working on a Dream". Discuss what his lyrics say about work attitude.
NEGATIVE → POSITIVE
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Negative language tells what cannot be done. ʦ It has a subtle or obvious tone of blame. ʦ ,W HPSKDVL]HV QHJDWLYH DFWLRQV RU FRQVHTXHQFHV Body language: frowning, rolling your eyes to be dismissive, crossing your arms over your chest, tapping your fingers to indicate impatience.
Not too bad ʦ Great! Cannot complain ʦ All is good, thanks. I will try ... ʦ I will ... I forgot ʦI will definitely remember next time. / I will make sure I never forget again. You are doing ok ʦ Keep up the good work!
CAN-DO SPIRIT AT WORK ● Highlight the positive ● Show a willingness to help ● Project a service-oriented attitude ● (PSKDVL]H ZKDW \RX FDQ GR ● If you say no, explain why, and show empathy
subtle ørliten obvious åpenbar/openberr emphasize legge vekt på / leggje vekt på consequences konsekvenser/konsekvensar frowning rynke på brynene / rynke på bryna encouraging oppmuntrende/oppmuntrande nodding nikke
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