Warm-up
Strategy & Decision-Making
Strategy & Decision-Making
After this lesson you'll be able to...
- Use key strategy and decision-making vocabulary
- Compare two or more options clearly
- Use comparatives, superlatives, as … as and the more … the more
- Explain and defend a decision politely
Get to know each other (3 minutes)
- What was the last important decision you made at work?
- Do you decide quickly or do you need a lot of time? Why?
- Who helps you when a decision is difficult?
- Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted?
Say it out loud
Compare two options. → Option A is cheaper than option B, but option B is faster, so it is probably the better choice.
Fact worth knowing
Vocabulary
Strategy and decision vocabulary
Useful decision-making phrases
| Let’s weigh up the options. | Давайте зважимо варіанти. |
| The main advantage is that it is cheaper. | Основна перевага в тому, що це дешевше. |
| The biggest risk is losing time. | Найбільший ризик — втратити час. |
| Which option is more cost-effective? | Який варіант економічно вигідніший? |
| I’d go for option B. | Я б обрав варіант Б. |
| It is not as expensive as it looks. | Це не так дорого, як здається. |
| The sooner we decide, the better. | Чим раніше ми вирішимо, тим краще. |
| Let’s start with a pilot project. | Почнімо з пілотного проєкту. |
Try out the new words
Name one advantage and one drawback of your current job. → One advantage of my job is … but one drawback is …
Say what your top priority is this month. → My top priority this month is … because …
Which word is it?
Fill in the missing word
Choose the correct word
Translate the phrase
Write each phrase in English.
Grammar
Comparing options
| Comparative | short adjective + -er than; long adjective: more … than: Option A is cheaper than option B. Option B is more reliable than option A. Irregular: good → better, bad → worse, far → further. |
| Superlative | the + -est / the most …: This is the cheapest option. It is the most flexible plan. Use of / in: the best of the three, the best in the company. |
| as … as | shows equality: The new system is as fast as the old one. Negative: not as … as = less: It is not as expensive as it looks. |
| the more … the more | two things that change together: The more we plan, the fewer mistakes we make. The sooner we decide, the better. |
| Softening | slightly / a bit / much / far / a lot before a comparative: slightly cheaper, far more risky, a lot better. Use by far the + superlative for emphasis: by far the best option. |
Which sentence is correct?
Complete with the correct word
Compare the options
Write one sentence with the word in brackets. Several answers are possible.
Correcting mistakes
Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.
Put the words in order
Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.
Say it about your own work
Compare two options you have at work or in your life, with one comparative and one superlative. → Option A is … than option B, but the … thing is …
Reading
Read: how to make a good decision
How to make a good decision
Every manager has to make difficult decisions. The best decisions are not always the fastest ones, but they are usually the clearest. First, define your goal. The more clearly you describe it, the easier the choice becomes.
Next, list your options. Two or three realistic options are better than ten unclear ones. For each option, write the main advantage, the biggest drawback and the cost. Some options are cheaper but slower; others are more expensive but much more reliable. This is a typical trade-off, and you should weigh it up honestly.
Then talk to your stakeholders. The people who will use the result often see risks that you cannot see. If a decision is not as simple as it looks, start with a small pilot project. A pilot is the safest way to test an idea, and it is far cheaper than a failed launch.
Finally, decide and commit. The sooner you decide, the more time you have to act. If the facts change, you can always change the plan — but do not postpone every decision. Waiting is also a decision, and it is often the most expensive one.
True or false?
The text says that the fastest decision is always the best.
A pilot project is cheaper than a failed launch.
You should compare ten options to be safe.
Stakeholders can see risks that the manager cannot see.
Waiting is not a decision.
Answer the questions
What should you do first?
What should you write for each option?
Why is a pilot project useful?
Why is it dangerous to postpone every decision?
Find the key language
Write the word (or phrase) from the text.
Fill in from the text
Why is this a good text?
Your own opinion
- Which step of the text is the hardest for you?
- Do you prefer fast decisions or careful ones?
- What advice would you give a new manager about decisions?
Practice
Picture the situation
Define the goal → List the options → Weigh them up → Decide and commit. A simple, clear comparison is always better than a long argument.
Match the phrase to its function
Put the words in order
Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.
Fill in the missing phrase
Say it in your own words
Write one sentence. Several answers are possible.
Translate into English
Write each sentence in English. Several answers are possible.
A useful tip
Speaking
How to use this section
Your tutor plays a colleague or a manager. Compare options, weigh up risks, defend your choice and agree on the next step. Use comparatives, superlatives, as … as and the more … the more.
Choosing a supplier
Task: you must choose between two suppliers: one is cheaper, the other is more reliable. Explain your choice.
Starter: "Supplier A is cheaper than supplier B, but supplier B is more reliable. On balance, I would go for supplier B."
Weighing up risks
Task: your boss asks about the biggest risk of a new project. Name two risks and how to reduce them.
Starter: "The biggest risk is time. The more we plan in advance, the fewer problems we will have."
Defending your decision
Task: a colleague disagrees with your choice. Defend it politely.
Starter: "I see your point. However, in my view, this option is not as expensive as it looks."
Prioritising tasks
Task: you have too many tasks. Say what is the most urgent and what can be postponed.
Starter: "The most urgent task is the report. The presentation is less urgent, so I suggest we postpone it until Friday."
Suggesting a pilot
Task: the team is afraid of a big change. Suggest a pilot project.
Starter: "Instead of a full launch, why don’t we start with a pilot project? It is much safer and far cheaper."
Convincing a stakeholder
Task: a stakeholder is not sure. Explain the main advantage and answer one worry.
Starter: "The main advantage is that it saves time. I understand your worry about the cost, but in the long run, it is more cost-effective."
Changing the plan
Task: new facts appear and your plan must change. Explain why and what the new priority is.
Starter: "The situation is different from what we expected, so we need to change the plan. The new top priority is the customer deadline."
Full conversation — no stops
Run through a decision meeting with your tutor: present two options, compare them, discuss risks, choose one and agree on the next step — entirely in English.
Let's talk — reflection
- Which comparison phrase was the most useful?
- Was it easy to explain a trade-off?
- What will you do differently the next time you have to decide quickly?
Cool down
Now I can...
- Use key strategy and decision-making vocabulary
- Compare two or more options clearly
- Use comparatives, superlatives, as … as and the more … the more
- Explain and defend a decision politely
Quick self-check
How do you make a comparison with a short adjective?
What does "the more … the more" show?
What is a pilot project?
One more thing before you go
Tell your tutor about the best decision you have ever made at work. → The best decision I have ever made was … because …
Homework
Words to remember
| a strategy | стратегія |
| an option | варіант |
| a priority | пріоритет |
| a risk | ризик |
| an advantage | перевага |
| a drawback | недолік |
| a trade-off | компроміс (вибір «або-або») |
| a stakeholder | зацікавлена сторона |
Fill in the missing word
Choose the correct word
Open the brackets
Correct the mistake
Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.
Translate the phrase
Write each phrase in English. Several answers are possible.
Write it yourself
Write a short decision memo (6–8 sentences): you must choose between two options at work. Compare them with at least two comparatives, one superlative and one “the more … the more” sentence, and explain your final choice.
Practise out loud
Say your memo aloud as if you were presenting it to your manager. Pay attention to the stress in comparatives (CHEAPer than).
Read aloud
Read the text “How to make a good decision” aloud twice before the next lesson.
- 8.7 I wrote a decision memo (6–8 sentences)
- 8.8 I said my memo aloud
- 8.9 I read the text about decisions aloud twice