1. Read the text again and explain why it is headlined in such way.
A Calm Person Works Calmly
Any firm in this country is motivated by the consideration of Man's well-being. But Man is also a productive force that keeps a business going. A thoughtful approach is needed not to divide the two concepts of Man as a productive force and as the main concern. Special efforts are also needed to ensure that the principal goal - Man's well-being - is the focus of attention every day and every hour.
A special social-psychological service has been set up in many firms to help make its principal goal a reality. The service is a laboratory and a group of psychology experts. The laboratory carries out experiments, using visual display units, to study the ability for team work, the characters of the working people and their manager. Other methods include questionnaires, polls, and specially-oriented studies. They produce either immediate results or give recommendations a bit later. Fatigue is studied from every angle - the nature of work, age, sex, and working conditions. And the recommendations vary.
In one case it is an additional 15-minute break in work spent in relaxation room. Sitting in an atmosphere of quiet, coolness and semidarkness people hear a soft voice talking about self-training. This is followed by watching a beautiful scenery on the screen to the accompaniment of music. Fifteen minutes of this relaxation can make a person feel as if he has been away from work for several hours.
In another case physical exercise, some sitting-up exercises may be recommended, or a person may be advised to go to refreshment room and have a glass of specially-prepared cocktail of juices.
There are certain monotonous, mechanical jobs in which only part of the brain is used. According to the psychologists, the other part can and should be used for the general development. So a psychologist would go to such people and talk about new films, plays or books. He does his best to help workers overcome stress situations.
Notes:
fatigue – усталость
scenery – пейзаж
to overcome – преодолеть
2. Role-play:
1. You are talking with a manager. You are interested in his methods of management, his successes and failures.
2. You would like to organize a social-psychological service at your work. You discuss this problem with the manager of your firm.
3. You are working in the firm where there is a special social-psychological service. Tell the students about the relaxation practice in this service.
Ответы
1. The text is headlined as "A Calm Person Works Calmly" to emphasize the importance of maintaining a calm and relaxed mindset in the workplace. It suggests that when individuals are calm, they are more productive and contribute to the overall well-being of the firm. The headline highlights the correlation between an individual's state of mind and their performance in the workplace.
2. Role-play:
1. Student: Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time? I'm really interested in your management methods. Could you share some insights into your approach to managing the team and achieving success?
Manager: Of course, I'd be happy to discuss my management methods with you. I believe in fostering a positive working environment by emphasizing team collaboration, open communication, and giving employees the opportunity to develop their skills. It's important for me to listen to my team members, understand their strengths, and provide guidance when needed. I also encourage them to take breaks and practice relaxation techniques to maintain a calm and focused mindset.
2. Student: I've been thinking about implementing a social-psychological service at our firm. I believe it could greatly benefit our employees and improve overall well-being. What are your thoughts on this idea?
Manager: That sounds like a fantastic initiative. I really appreciate your concern for the well-being of our employees. A social-psychological service can provide valuable support and resources for our team members. It would be beneficial to have professionals who can assess and address any psychological factors that may affect their work performance. I think it's worth exploring further and discussing with the rest of the management team.
3. Student: At my workplace, we have a special social-psychological service that offers relaxation practices. During breaks, employees can visit the relaxation room, where they are surrounded by a calm and peaceful atmosphere. They have the option to listen to a guided self-training session, watch beautiful scenery on a screen, and enjoy soothing music. These activities help employees unwind and feel refreshed. The relaxation practices are designed to combat fatigue and give individuals a sense of rejuvenation, even within a short period of time. It's been highly appreciated by our colleagues and has contributed to a more stress-free work environment.