WORD FORMATION

Change the word in CAPITALS to fill in the blanks.

 

Humans are wired to protect 1. ………… [AUTONOMOUS]. From an 2. ……………. [EVOLUTION] perspective, self-reliance was 3. ………… [ADAPT] because it allowed individuals to secure resources, defend territory, and reduce 4. ………….. [VULNERABLE]. In modern workplaces, this drive often shows up as leaders proving their competence by trying to do everything themselves.

Research in evolutionary biology suggests that signaling independence can elevate perceived status and 5. …………. [CREDIBLE]. The same studies reveal that overemphasis on autonomy can also erode trust and weaken the collective 6. …………. [STRONG] that groups need to adapt in complex environments.

Interdependence Is in Our Nature

Our brains are built for connection. Social bonding is not a nice-to-have; it is a biological imperative. (…) Neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman describes the human brain as a social organ, always attuned to belonging and shared purpose. Interdependence is not a compromise of independence. It is the context that sustains it.

Evidence from Harvard Business Review has shown that teams grounded in mutual reliance outperform those built on rigid individualism, especially in 7. …………… [PREDICT] conditions.

The Hidden Costs of Overvaluing Independence

Leaders who idolize independence often create cultures of hidden struggle and quiet 8. ………….. [DISENGAGE]. When people feel they must prove self-sufficiency, they hesitate to ask for help or share early ideas. Over time, this erodes psychological safety and constrains innovation.

Neuroscience demonstrates that social isolation elevates cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol impairs decision-making and emotional regulation, especially under pressure. Teams that lack interdependence are more reactive, less 9. ………. [RESILIENCE], and prone to burnout. Leaders who ignore this dynamic often find themselves working harder while their impact diminishes. (…)

When leaders demonstrate 10. ………… [WARM] by listening with intention, validating others, and creating shared purpose, they signal safety. Competence emerges through clear priorities and steady execution. Gravitas, which I define as the ability to bring people together to create shared value, stabilizes uncertainty without suppressing others’ autonomy.

These signals create cultures where independence and interdependence support each other. (…)

 

In order to read the whole article, go to: https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotthutcheson/2025/07/04/independence-vs-interdependence-what-great-leaders-understand/

Key: 1. autonomy; 2. evolutionary; 3. adaptive; 4. vulnerability; 5. credibility; 6. strength; 7. unpredictable; 8. disengagement; 9. resilient; 10. warmth

 

Glossary

 

• to over-index – to give too much importance or weight to something
• to under-invest – to spend too little time, money, or effort on something that needs more resources
• wired – inclined to act or think a certain way
• attuned to – being sensitive or responsive to something
• to sustain – to keep something going over time; to maintain or support it
• prone  – likely or inclined to do or experience something (often negative)
• gravitas – seriousness, dignity, or weight of character that inspires respect
• reciprocity – a mutual exchange; when both sides give and receive something
• to wither – to dry up, or fade away
• concession – something you give up or agree to in order to reach an agreement

 

Practice makes perfect

Watch the video and answer the questions below:

 

 

1. What contradiction existed between Jefferson’s words about equality and his personal actions?

2. Approximately how many people did Jefferson enslave during his lifetime?

3. What reforms or contributions did Jefferson make toward equality in other areas of society?

4. How did Jefferson’s policies and attitudes affect Indigenous Americans?

5. What was Jefferson’s stance on states’ rights, and how did that idea influence later U.S. history?

6. Why is Jefferson’s victory in the presidential election called a “dubious victory”?

7. What was Jefferson’s relationship with Sally Hemings, and why is it considered controversial?

8. What larger question does the video end with about how we view historical figures like Jefferson today?

 

 

 

Discuss

 

• What does “independence” mean to you personally, and what does it mean for a country like Poland?
• Can a nation ever be truly independent in today’s globalized world, or do countries also depend on one another – economically, politically, or culturally?
• The article says “no organism thrives in isolation for long.” What examples can you think of (in nature, business, or daily life) where collaboration is essential for survival or success?
• In what ways can being “too independent” become a weakness — for leaders, teams, or even nations?
• Thomas Jefferson helped write “all men are created equal” while enslaving over 600 people.
  What does this contradiction tell us about the difference between values in theory and actions in practice?
• Is it fair to judge historical figures by today’s moral standards? Why or why not?

 

Watch and Revise!

 

Independence (Day)

Lessons from Leaders and History

 

 

https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/E962BKw4qdbN6MP

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