Good leaders learn how to trust intuition

By Ranjana S.

One of the primary reasons top leaders are able to make tough decisions is because they have learned to trust their intuitive instincts. Bill Gates says, "Often you have to rely on intuition."

The facts are great, and we need them, but sometimes it boils down to what we feel in our gut. Facts are the "math" of decision-making while intuition is the "art." Traditional business teaching tends to focus on the facts and numbers, but what about this important element of intuition?

While some people seem to have a stronger sense of intuitive skills than others, I do believe that any leader can learn to be more intuitive. It is simply a matter of learning to trust your heart when it speaks to you.

There is a certain element of risk in intuitive leadership, but that is the nature of leadership. I love the motto of the British Special Air Service: "Who Dares Wins!"

Here is a process you can develop for intuitive instincts:

• Write down the issue at hand. Don't just think about it -- put it on paper.
• Identify as many options as possible. Make a list of all options open to you.
• Pull away from the process. This gives you time to reflect upon the situation.
• Start playing out the consequences of your options in your mind. Eliminate them one by one. If you see how one situation would take you down the wrong road, get rid of it.
• When you get to a final list of options, bounce them off of wise people both inside and outside your organization. Let them tell you the pros and cons of each one.
• Check your heart. Look at:

1. Motive. "Why am I doing this?" Sometimes we find that we are doing something for the wrong reasons and that may lead us in the wrong direction.
2. Responsibility. "Should I be doing this?" As leaders who desire the best for everyone, we need to ask ourselves if this is the responsible choice to make.
3. Emotional status. "Can I feel right about doing this?" There is a lot to be said for being able to sleep at night. 

• Make a decision. When you have done the above, pull the trigger on your decision. Make it quickly and get moving on the plan.

• Hold to that decision. Don't waver. The work has been done. The questions have been asked. Now is the time to execute the plan, not question the decision.While no leader ever reaches perfection when it comes to decision-making, leaders who strive to obtain all the facts possible, who trust the intuition of his or her team members, and who cultivate and trust their own intuitive instincts will have a batting average good enough for the Hall of Fame!

GOBBLEDYGOOK becomes....Vocab Buddy....today

By Ranjana S

Boomer Words of the day:

§  Exorcise:

To drive out, to get rid of.

Maria has been able to exorcise all her fears.

§  Exonerated:

To free someone from blame.

He was accused in the crime, the court tried him and exonerated him of all charges.

§  Insolent:

Rude and showing lack of respect.

You have been very insolent to your friend, henceforth; be more respectful.

§  Insinuate:

To suggest something unpleasant by making an indirect remark.

Why are you asking me if I know what happened to your books? Are you trying to insinuate that I took them?

§  Grotesque:

Strange and unnatural in appearance causing fear or laughter.

As you enter the hall, you'll find a grotesque picture hanging on the wall, showing a lion with ten heads and enormous teeth sticking out like tusks.

§  Mitigate:

To make something less harmful or less bad.

There is a proposal to plant neem trees in our neighborhood. This will mitigate the effect of pollution from diesel fumes.

§  Scourge:

(1) A cause of suffering or trouble.

 The state has been gripped by the scourge of war.

(2) A whip, to whip severly, lash, flog, to punish severely chastise, afflict.

Attila's armies scourged the people of Europe.

§  Scion :

A child or descendant, especially of a prominent family.

Rahul Gandhi is the scion of the Gandhi family.

§  Posthumous:

Happening or appearing after the person involved has died.

Some of India's great leaders received posthumous awards of 'Bharat Ratna' several years after their death.

§  Postulate:

To suggest or accept that something is true, as a basis for a theory or discussion.

Copernicus first postulated that the earth moved around the sun.

§  Ressurect:

To bring something back to life or activity.

The dying art of puppet theatre has been resurrected.

§  Sinequonon:

An essential condition for something to happen.

A Knowledge of Kannada is a sine qua non for this job in Bangalore.

§  Juvenile deliquency:

The committing of crimes by very young people.

§  Juxtapose:

To place side by side or close together.

If you juxtapose these two paintings, you will see how different one is from the other.

The deal is on the threshold of seeing the light of the day after being in the limbo for several decades.

Can you come up with words or idioms woven from the word "Time"?

By Ranjana S.

Time will heal your wounds!!!

Time will decide the consequences...

Fill in your vocab kitty with words and phrases pertaining to TIME:

§  Time-consuming:

A time consuming process- something that takes up a lot of time.

§  Time capsule:

A container in which objects representing a particular period of time are stored and buried in the ground, so that they can be dug up and examined in the future, to let people know about the past.

§  Time exposure:

A photograph taken in poor light, in which the lens of the camera is kept open for several seconds.

§  Time-honoured:

done by everyone over a long period of time.

Dancing to celebrate a wedding is a time-honoured custom.

§  Time immemorial:

A very, very long period in the past.

The oldest educator in the institute speaks on opening day. This has been the custom in the institute since time immemorial.

§  Time-keeper:

A person who keeps record of time( e.g. in a sports competition or a factory where people are working).

§  Time lag:

The period of time that separates two connecting events.

There is a time lag of at least three months between the end of the examination and the declaration of results.

§  Timeless:

not affected by the passage of time.

The beauty of Taj Mahal is timeless.

§  Time-limit:

The period of time within which something must be done.

The time-limit for answering this question is 2 minutes.

§  Timely:

Done at just the right time.

Your timely help helped me to prepare my speech.

§  Time-server:

Someone who changes his or her behavior in order to please those who are in power.

§  Time-sharing:

A system by which people can share the ownership of a building so that they can live in it at different times in the year.

§  Time-worn:

no longer interesting or useful because of having been in use for too long a period.

§  Time-zone:

An area over all parts of which the time is same.

When it is 7:30 a.m in New York, it is only 6:30 in Chicago. These cities fall in different time zones.

§  Timing:

The choice of a suitable time to do something.

You should not have asked the boss to raise your salary when he had broken his leg in an accident. Your timing was bad.

§  Time up:

An expression to indicate that the alloted time is over.

§  to pass the time of day:

to greet someone and have a friendly chat.

§  about time:

an expression used to show displeasure about something that has not happened at the expected time or to show the importance of doing something at the correct time.

'The train that has arrived at last.' It's about time!'

§  in the nick of time:

just in time to prevent something bad from happening.

The burglars were about to drive off with all the money they had looted from the bank, but the police arrived in the nick of time.

§  for the time being:

for a short period of time following the present time.

You can use the room for the time being but you must move out tomorrow morning.

§  for a time:

for a short period of time in the past.

The boys worked together for a time.

§  all the time:

very often. The telephone is ringing all the time.

§  at times:

not very often. We need a break from work at times.

§  at one time:

in the past but not now.

It was a beautiful city at one time.

§  in time:

early enough to be able to do something.

You must come in time for the start of the match.

§  on time:

happening at the correct or expected time.

The train is supposed to arrive at 10:15, but it is seldom on time.

§  to have the time of one's life:

to spend time in a very enjoyable manner.

The couple had the time of their lives for a year before the boy deserted his mate.

What is the difference between Hung, Hanged?

By Ranjana S. 

Anything which is suspended is hung.

Pictures are hung on the wall; the clothes were hung out on the line to dry; A person has hung from a treetop if he has remained suspended there; the icicles have hung from the window since the snowstorm.

Hanged, on the other hand, is used to describe execution by hanging.

The judge orders the murderer to be hanged by the neck until dead.

The army has hanged the spy.

Hanged is,then, synonymous with killed.

A person who has hanged himself has committed suicide. 

The murderer was hanged and his corpse hung from the gibbet until it was cut down.

Look at the examples:

• If the murderer is caught, he'll be hanged.
• He hung from the window all day watching the sights on the street.
• Her stockings hung down over her shoes.
• Why have they hanged the prisoner?
• The downtrodden and terminally ill patient hanged himself.

However, there are several other related uses, for example:

• To continue to try to do something although it is very difficult. – Hang it there! (idiom)
•   To let droop or fall – hang your head in shame.
•   To fall in a certain way – this costume hangs well.
•   To pay attention to – I hang on your every word.
•   To hold on tightly – My daughter is hanging onto my skirt.
•   A way of doing something – She couldn’t get the hang of it. (hang as a noun)
•   To be oppressive – a cloud of gloom hangs over him.

Data OR Datum...Which one is correct?

By Ranjana S.

"This data is interesting" or "These data are interesting"

Data is generally considered a plural noun, the singular of which is datum. 

Datum is rarely used in everyday parlance, and it is inevitable, hence, that many people look data as a singular, considering it to mean "a piece of information." However, in best usage, data means "a number of pieces of information" and takes a plural adjective(these or those) and a plural verb.

Let us see some common words which look like singular but are in the plurals.( These words are all of Latin or Greek origin, and have the classic plural endings;hence, the lack of an s at the end of each word.)

1

Data

A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn (plural of datum)

Examples

Statistical data

2

Datum

An item of factual information derived from measurement or research (singular of data)

Examples

The first task is the assignment of an address to each datum

• Data (singular-datum)
• Media (singular-medium)
• Vertebrae (singular-vertebra)
• Automata (singular-automaton)
• Foci (singular-focus)
• Formulae (singular-formula)
• Memoranda (singular- memorandum)
• Candelabra (singular-candelabrum)
• Criteria (singular-criterion)

Preferable forms:

• These data are disputed.
• The memoranda on the Klaus case are on your desk.
• Wounds present foci of infection.
• His criteria are not valid.
• These phenomena want our attention.
• The candelabra are tarnished.
• New media are essential.
• The formulae have to be taken note of.
• The men act like automata.
• Her four vertebrae were broken.

When do we use “If I was"? When is "If I were" preferable?

By Ranjana S.

This question involves an understanding of the subjunctive mood of the verb.

While the subjunctive is used far less today than in the past, there are still a number of important instances in which it is heard in English sentences.

Look at these sentences: 

• I suggest he keep his opinions to himself.
• I wish I were more knowledgeable.
• I insist that he report to me everyday.
• If I were you, I would never believe in his words.
• He acts as if he were my wellwisher.
• It is important that the member finish his work on time.
• God forbid that it should happen.
• Heaven help the hapless girl.

It is clear that these are special uses of the verb, since under normal circumstances we say:

• He keeps.
• I was.
• He reports.
• I was.
• She was.
• A member finishes.
• God forbids.
• Heaven help.

Now, let us analyze the sentences involved, we see that they are not, statements. 

• Sentence-1 is a suggestion.
• Sentence-2 is a wish.
• Sentence-3 is a demand.
• Sentence-4 is a condition contrary to fact, since of course, I am not you.
• Sentence-5 is another condition contrary to fact. He is not her wellwisher, in truth, but acts as if he were.
• Sentence-6 is an expression of necessity.
• Sentence-7 is a wish.
• Sentence-8 is a wish.

So it is clear that the subjunctive mood is used in non statements(demands, wishes, conditions contrary to fact, and the like).

In the active voice, the subjunctive is identical in appearance to one or two indicative tenses:

The Present Indicative Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• We demand that he fulfill his promise.
• Do you wish that my father return the compliment?
• Do you suggest that he work overtime?
• It is important that he use more caution.

The Past Progressive Indicative, Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• He wishes he were going.
• She talks as if she were splurging her own money.
• How nice this would be if it were happening to you!

In the passive voice, the subjunctive of a verb is the auxiliary be plus the perfect participle: be known, be seen, be used, etc. : 

• We demand that the promise be fulfilled.
• If you want to grow, it's important that you be seen in the right places.
• It is important that the high end machine be used with greater care.

With the verb to be, the subjunctive is the form were, even with a singular subject. 

• He wishes he were understood.
• She acts as if she were knowledgeable.
• How nice this would be if it were only true.

The subjunctive need cause no confusion, except when there is a possible choice between was and were. You will come across with the choice only after the verb wish and after the conjunctions if and as if. In other instances, the subjunctive is a part of the idiom that no one uses the indicative where the subjunctive is required. However, care must be exercised after the verb wish and also after the conjunctions if and as if.

#1

• I wish I was you.-----incorrect.
• I wish I were you.------correct.
• She wishes she was honored.-----incorrect.
• She wishes she were honored. -----correct.
• The boy hoped that he was braver.----incorrect.
• The boy hoped that he were braver.---correct.

#2

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction as if which always introduces a condition contrary to fact : 

• Boman talks as if he was innocent.------incorrect.
• Boman talks as if he were innocent.-----correct.(he is not innocent.)
• Maria ran as if the dog was after her.---incorrect.
• Maria ran as if the dog were after her.----correct.(the dog was not after her.)
• Betty screamed as if she was being murdered.---incorrect.
• Betty screamed as if she were being murdered.---correct.(she was not being murdered.)

#3

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction if in contrary to fact conditions: 

• If he was less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----incorrect.
• if he were less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----correct.(in fact, he is not less ill-tempered) 
• If he was not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----incorrect.
• If he were not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----correct.(in fact, he is stupid)
• If he was acting out of sincerity he would not do that.----incorrect.
• If he were acting out of sincerity, he would not do that.-----correct.(as a fact, he is not acting out of sincerity.)

#4

In conditions of fact, or possible fact, use the indicative after the conjunction if: 

• If Mr. Jeromy was in his home, why didn't he open the door?(maybe he was at home.) 
• If the leader was opposed to the plan, why didn't he say so?(maybe he was opposed to the plan.) 
• If her husband was at home that night, he certainly did not take part in the festivities.(maybe her husband was at home.)

#5

It is not essential to make elaborate analysis of the factuality or possible factuality of a condition, before deciding on the use of the subjunctive after the conjunction if. A condition contrary to fact is found only in a sentence in which the main clause is in the conditional tense. The conditional tense, contains the auxiliary would. In other words, if the main clause contains would, the if clause requires the subjunctive. (As if clauses, however, always require the subjunctive.) It's as simple and mechanical as that. (Should, an alternate form of would;and could, which is the conditional tense of be able, also signify a condition contrary to fact.)

Please note, how a change in the main clause of the sentences above removes the factuality of each sentence: 

• Mr. Jeromy would open the door if he were in his home.(subjunctive)
• If the leader were opposed to the plan, he would say so.(subjunctive)
• If her husband were at home that night, he would take part in the festivities.(subjunctive)
• If he were at her side, he would have countenanced such shenanigans.(subjunctive)

Keywords that are used in Office/Business

During this English lesson you will learn about the keywords that are used in business. 

The word is followed by the meaning then an example

Try making some sentences of your own using the examples!!

HAPPY LEARNING!

Word		Meaning of the word	Examples of how to use in a brief sentence
absent                        adj		not present	The manager is absent due to being away on other business.
accomplish verb		succeed in reaching a required stage	We have a lot to accomplish this week to meet the targets.
address verb		Deal with a problem or a task	We better not have to address this problem again this is you last chance.
adjourn verb		bring a close to a meeting	If there are no further things on the agenda, we will adjourn the meeting for this month.
agenda noun		list of objectives to be covered at the meeting	Pass a copy of the agenda to anyone who is attending meeting in advance please.
AGM noun(abbr.)		Annual (once a year) General Meeting	At the next AGM we will need to vote for a new chairperson.
allocate verb		assign roles/tasks to certain people	The new manger will allocate someone to order the new company cars.
AOB noun(abbr.)		Any Other Business (unspecified item on agenda)	The last item on the agenda as anyone got AOB (Any Other Business).
apologies noun		telling who is absent and have left there apologies for their absence	Only one person is absent and they send their apologies.
ballot noun		a way of voting, usually in writing and should be secret	Please put your ballot slip in the box.
board of directors noun		group of elected members of an organization/company who meet to make decisions	The board of directors met last night to discuss the latest budget.
boardroom noun		a large meeting room, with one long table and chairs	The boardroom is busy tomorrow, but Friday will be fine to have a meeting then.
brainstorm verb		thinking to gather ideas	Let's get together and have a brainstorming session on ways that to increase profit.
casting vote noun		deciding vote normally made by the chairman when the votes have ended equal	The ruling on overtime pay was decided on the chairman's casting vote.
chairperson and chair noun		a person who leads the meeting	As chair/chairperson, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, our new sales manager Mr Bean
clarification and verification noun		explanation or proof that something is true and understood	We will need some clarification as to what's involved with the planning permission for the new offices.
closing remarks noun		last spoken words in a meeting examples reminders, thank you ext	In is closing remarks he thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
collaborate verb		work together as a pair/group	The workers had difficulty collaborating with the managers as a result the deadline was not met .
commence verb		begin. start the meeting	We will commence the meeting as soon as the everyone as arrived and signed the Register.
comment verb or noun		express one's opinions or thoughts	If you have a comment, please raise your hand rather than speak out.
conference noun		formal meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an organisation	Before the conference there will be a private meeting for board members only.
conference call noun		telephone/video conference (Skype) meeting between three or more people in different locations	Today the chairman from all the overseas branches had a conference meeting using video call.
confidential adjective		private; must not be shared only with those with permission.	The company stated that all financial information must be confidential.
consensus noun		general agreement	We must reach a consensus by the end of the meeting which will then be put to vote to decided.
deadline noun		the date when something is due for completion	The deadline for the order is June 10th.
designate verb		assign to someone or a team	If no one volunteers to work at weekend I will designate someone.
formality noun		a procedure (often unnecessary) that has to be followed due to a rule	Everyone knows who is going to be the next vice president, so this vote is really just a formality.
grievance noun		complaint made by a worker or customer	A grievance has been reported by one of the managers about one of is staff.
guest speaker noun		person who joins the group in order to share information or deliver a speech	today am delighted to introduce our guest speaker Mr Bean who is giving us some tips on social networking
implement verb		it must happen and be followed through	We must implement the new guide lines set out by the board of directors.
mandatory adjective		required	It is mandatory that all workers start at 8am and finish at 5pm .
minutes noun		a written record of everything said at a meeting	Let's review the minutes from last month and see what as been resolved since then.
motion noun		a suggestion put to a vote	The motion to extend weekend hours for the staff has been passed.
objectives noun		goals that need to be accomplish	I'm pleased that we were able to cover all of the objectives today within the designated time.
opening remarks noun		chairperson or leader's first words at a meeting (i.e.. welcome, introductions)	As Mentioned in my opening remarks, we I thank you all for attending.
overhead projector noun		machine with a special light that projects a document onto a screen or wall so that all can see	Using the overhead projector I was able to show the sales team what targets we need to achieve.
participant noun		person who attends and joins in at an event	Thank you to all the participants in the firms charity event
proxy vote noun		a vote cast by one person for or in place of another	There must have been one proxy vote  I have counted twelve ballots but there are only eleven attendees present.
punctual adjective		on time and must not be late	Anyone that is not punctual will be asked to explain to the manager why they are not on time.
recommend verb		suggest	I recommend that you lower the price of the old stock.
show of hands noun		raised hands to show an opinion in a vote	From the show of hands it appears that everyone is in favour of taking a short break.
strategy noun		plan to make something work	We need to come up with a strategy that will allow us to increase work output.
unanimous adj		Everyone is in complete agreement or united in opinion	The vote was unanimous to cut working hours from 46 to 39 hours .
vote verb or noun		to express an opinion by group or voice down by a show of hands or by ballot box.	We need to vote for all those in favour of the new changes.
wrap up verb		finish	Let's wrap up it up so that we can start on the next project .