Listening Comprehension 1

W：We heard up there that if you are turned down the first time, you try and persevere, but I can’t imagine going back to a boss after you have been turned down.

M：Don’t give up. It’s so important not to give up. The first thing that you wanna do is try to understand what the situation is, engage in some candid conversation. I understand that you weren’t happy with my proposal or you are not able to approve it at this time. Tell me what some of your concerns are, because asking for a change in schedule is often about negotiation. So, maybe we can come up with some type of alternative or middle ground, and if that’s not possible right now, let’s set a timetable for when we can revisit it, because what’s not possible today, could be plausible in 3 or 6 months from now, because circumstances and attitudes change. So don’t give up.

W：Right! You don’t have to be a pest.

M：That’s right.

W：But just don’t give up quietly. OK. We hear bosses saying,” I can’t have people just wake up one day and say, ‘I need more time off’”, what are they really saying?

M: That’s right. You can’t walk in and just make those demands. The bottom line is bosses really do want us to be happy, but not at the expense of productivity. And any type of a change in schedule, any type of flexibility, really, is an accommodation, not an entitlement, and so it doesn’t matter why I am asking, whether it’s “I am a mom, and I need more time with my kids.” or “I am a dad who wants to coach a soccer team.” It doesn’t matter what my reasons are for asking. I have to be able to convince the boss that I’m gonna produce results.

W: That’s one of these reasons you should say over and over again. Don’t go in with the pressing problem. Go in with the pressing solution.

M: Solutions really are your way to victory, not always. But you are definitely not gonna succeed, if you go in with a laundry list of problems. If I come and I say: “I’m so sick of my commute. I really have to work from home one day a week.”

W: But maybe the most skepticism raised by bosses is about the fact that you’re really gonna do as much or even more work. How do you convince your boss that you mean it that more work will be done. How do you convince and then show them.

M: Offer benchmarks. It’s the best solution that you can provide. Because you are gonna say here is the proposal that I have. And here is how we’re gonna measure the results. Because I know results are important to you, and are important to me, too. So maybe we’re gonna have a conversation for 50 minutes every two weeks. So that we understand how the flow of communication is working. And if you are not happy, or I’m not happy, we have the ability to make changes along the way.

W: Right.

M: Flexibility is the key. In terms of getting these special accommodations, because I might say I want to work from home every Friday. But you know what? If there is a pressing business need, I will swap days. I will be here on that Friday，and so being flexible with this arrangement, with this propose change of schedule. Hopes you get control of your life, and keep the boss happy.

Q1 What are the two people talking about?

Q2 What is the bottom line for the bosses on the matter according to the man?

Q3 What is the best solution to the issue being discussed in the conversation?

Q4 Which of the following statements is true according to the conversation?

Q5 What is the relationship between the two speakers most probably?