The Cook era is over. His last note to employees is a revealing look at what he cared about most.
Read the article:
and rewrite the sentences using the word/expression in brackets. Do not change the meaning.
1. Tim Cook left his position as CEO.
(DOWN)
Tim Cook ……………………………………………………………….. .
2. John Ternus is taking over from Tim Cook.
(BATON)
Tim Cook is ……………………………………………………………. .
3. Apple’s culture developed long before Cook became CEO.
(ROOTED)
Apple’s culture ………………………………………………………. .
4. The company made sincere attempts to improve employee morale.
(GOOD-FAITH)
The company made ………………………………………………… .
5. Culture has a stronger influence than company policies.
(TRIUMPH)
Culture ………………………………………………………………………. .
6. Ternus will become CEO and take responsibility for leading the company.
(ASSUME)
Ternus will …………………………………………………………………. .
Key: 1. Tim Cook stepped down as CEO. 2. Tim Cook is passing the baton to John Ternus. 3. Apple’s culture was rooted long before Cook became CEO. 4. The company made good-faith efforts to improve employee morale. 5. Culture triumphs over company policies. 6. Ternus will assume responsibility for leading the company.
Glossary
- tenure – the period of time that someone holds a particular job or position
- baton – literally, a small stick used in a relay race
- to pass the baton – to transfer responsibility or a position to another person
- to nurture – to help someone or something develop and become successful by giving it care, attention, and support
- the best-laid plans – the plans that have been carefully thought through and prepared
- to brag – to talk too proudly about something you have done or achieved, often in a way that annoys other people
Practice makes perfect
Watch the first part (0:00-5:33) of the video:
and match the expressions with their meanings.
1. walk out
2. headline-grabbing
3. speak up
4. check out
5. undermine
6. disengaged
7. morale
8. shut down
9. lay the groundwork
10. reprisals
a) to stop participating or caring about something
b) to express your opinion, especially when it might be difficult
c) to leave a workplace as a form of protest
d) to make someone or something less effective or successful
e) to stop communicating or participating, often because you feel uncomfortable or ignored
f) actions taken against someone because they have done something you disagree with
g) likely to attract a lot of public attention
h) the confidence, enthusiasm and general feeling of well-being among a group of employees
i) to prepare the conditions for something that will happen later
j) no longer interested or emotionally involved in your work
Key: 1c; 2g; 3b; 4a; 5d; 6j; 7h; 8e; 9i; 10f
Discuss
- The article says: “Culture triumphs over everything.” Do you agree? Can a strong company culture really be more important than good strategy, policies or business plans?
- What are some things that can make an employee check out psychologically, even if they continue coming to work every day?
- How important is it for managers to ask employees for their opinions — even when they don’t necessarily agree with them?
- Do you think a highly engaged employee should always support their manager’s decisions? Can disagreement actually be a sign of engagement?
- What does psychological safety mean to you in a workplace?
- Imagine you have just become the CEO of a company where employee engagement is very low. What would you do during your first 100 days to understand the company’s culture and improve it?
Watch and Revise!
Tim Cook’s Farewell
A Leadership Masterclass
https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/EznetTLf9z4o6FA
(7560)
