2015年ESL之商务英语 17 Defending Your Ideas at Work

Defending Your Ideas at Work

Monica: That’s why I don’t think it’s doable. We should consider other ideas. 

...

That was Monica. She’s my co-worker and my nemesis¹. She criticizes all of my ideas, but I’ve learned that the best defense² is to not get defensive³.

...

Kazuya: I appreciate your feedback. I understand your reservations, but let me show you these figures I’ve worked up, which I believe will address your concerns.

... 

I knew Monica would attack my ideas, so I had come prepared.

... 

Monica: That’s all very impressive, but I still think we need to consider other options. 

... 

Unfortunately, when Monica digs in her heels, I know that the only thing to do is to placate⁴ her. That plus a delaying tactic⁵ usually works.

... 

Kazuya: Your comments have given me a lot to think about. We’re running short on time and we want to get to the other topics for discussion, so let’s come back to it next week. 

... 

Luckily, I know something else about Monica: She has a short attention span. By next week, she’ll be onto her next victim! 

 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 nemesis   

n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手

参考例句：

• Uncritical trust is my nemesis.盲目的相信一切害了我自己。
• Inward suffering is the worst of Nemesis.内心的痛苦是最厉害的惩罚。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

4 placate   

v.抚慰，平息(愤怒)

参考例句：

• He never attempts to placate his enemy.他从不企图与敌人和解。
• Even a written apology failed to placate the indignant hostess.甚至一纸书面道歉都没能安抚这个怒气冲冲的女主人。

5 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。