C1 English Listening Practice: Leading Remote and Hybrid Teams

Vocabulary 1

A. Distinguish (verb) distinguer: To recognize the difference between two or more things. Example: It is difficult to distinguish the twins from a distance.

B. Visibility (noun) visibilité: How easily someone’s work or actions can be seen. Example: The visibility of the new store has improved.

C. Notice (verb) remarquer: To see or become aware of something. Example: Did you notice the new painting in the hallway?

D. Signals (noun) signaux: Signs that give information about something. Example: The traffic signals changed from green to red.

E. Weaker (adjective) plus faibles: Less strong, clear, or reliable than before. Example: The signal is weaker in this part of the building.

F. Performative (adjective) destiné à donner une impression: Done mainly to create a particular impression. Example: His performative confidence disappeared during the difficult interview. [Sa confiance de façade a disparu pendant l’entretien difficile]

G. Busyness (noun) activité intense: The state of having many things to do. Example: Despite her busyness, she always finds time for her family. [NOTE: “busyness” is different from “business.”]

H. Nevertheless (adverb) néanmoins: Used to show that something is true despite another fact. Example: The weather was cold; nevertheless, we went for a walk.

I. Vocal (adjective) qui s'exprime beaucoup: Often expressing opinions or ideas openly and strongly. Example: She is very vocal about her love of classical music.

J. Generate (verb) générer: To produce or create something. Example: Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight.

 

Available (adjective) disponible:

[a] Free and ready to be used. Example: Is this table available for four people?

[b] Free and ready to talk, help, or meet. Example: Is your manager available for a quick meeting?

Guide Questions

1. What does the speaker say about leading remote and hybrid teams?

2. What does the speaker say about a traditional office compared to online work?

3. Talk about the speaker’s example.

4. How can managers assess performance objectively?

 

 

 

Vocabulary 2

A. Gain (verb) avoir accès à: To get access to something useful or valuable. Example: He gained access to the library after registering online.

B. Remote colleague (noun phrase) collègue à distance: A coworker who works away from the main workplace. Example: My remote colleague lives in another city.

C. Redo (verb) refaire: To do something again, usually to correct or improve it. Example: I had to redo my homework because I made several mistakes.

D. Shared project channel (noun phrase) canal de projet partagé: An online space where a team shares project information. Example: Please post the latest files on the shared project channel.

 

Guide Questions

1. What are the challenges of hybrid work arrangements?

2. Talk about the speaker’s examples.

3. How can managers avoid problems?

 

 

 

TRANSCRIPTS

Transcript 1:

Leading remote and hybrid teams requires managers to distinguish between visibility and contribution. In a traditional office, a manager may notice who stays late, speaks frequently in meetings, or appears constantly available. Online, these signals are weaker and can easily reward performative “busyness” rather than results.

For example, a remote developer who rarely speaks during video calls may nevertheless resolve problems, while a vocal colleague may generate little progress. How can managers assess performance objectively? Instead of expecting employees to remain constantly available on Teams or other platforms, a manager must agree with each team member on specific targets, such as agreed milestones, response expectations, and the quality of completed work. (111 words)

Transcript 2:

Hybrid arrangements create a challenge: employees who are physically present can gain informal access to decisions that remote colleagues never hear about. For example, during lunch, three employees in the office discuss a client's changing requirements. They make an important decision before returning to work, but nobody tells their remote colleague. The next day, the remote colleague continues working according to the old requirements and later must redo several hours of work.

DISCUSION
Managing remote and hybrid teams

1. What would you do if a remote employee often missed important information because decisions were made in the office?
2. Two team members are working on the same task without knowing it, and the project is losing time. How would you solve the problem?
3. A team member is finishing their work on time, but the quality is getting worse. How would you talk to them about the problem?
4. Your team has several urgent tasks, but two important employees work different hours. How would you divide the work and make sure everything is finished on time?
5. A remote employee rarely speaks during online meetings, so they may miss important decisions. How would you encourage them to take part?
6. One employee often sends messages outside working hours and expects quick answers. How would you deal with this situation?
7. Your project is late because team members often have to wait for answers from each other. What could you change to help the team work faster?
8. A new employee is having problems understanding how your hybrid team works and shares information. How would you help them?
9. Two team members disagree about how to complete an important task, and the project is being delayed. How would you help them solve the problem?
10. Your team receives too many messages and meeting invitations, and people are finding it difficult to concentrate. What could you change?

Being part of a remote or hybrid team

1. Your colleagues make an important decision during an office meeting that you cannot attend. What would you do to find out what happened and avoid this problem in the future?
2. A colleague often gives you incomplete information, which makes your work more difficult. How would you deal with the situation?
3. You have several important deadlines at the same time, and you cannot finish everything on time. How would you decide what to do first and explain the situation to your manager?
4. You are waiting for information from a colleague who is offline, but your deadline is getting closer. What would you do?
5. During an online meeting, two colleagues talk most of the time, and you cannot explain an important problem. How would you make sure you can speak?
6. You notice that remote employees often receive important information later than employees in the office. What would you do about this problem?
7. You receive project information by email, chat, and different online channels, and you are starting to miss important messages. How would you organize the information?
8. A colleague asks you to do an urgent task, but you already have a lot of work. How would you respond and find a solution?
9. A misunderstanding between two team members causes a mistake in a customer project. What would you do to fix the problem and stop it happening again?
10. Your team is preparing an important presentation, but remote and office-based employees have different information. How would you help the team create one correct version?

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