“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 6: Business and Entrepreneurship
Story 01: Leadership: Key traits and examples of successful leaders
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Navigate
- Visionary Thinking
- Emotional Intelligence
- Adaptability
- Empowerment
- Convey
- Immense
- Transformed
- Philanthropy
- Sustainability
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Leadership is the process of influencing and inspiring others to achieve a common goal. Effective leaders possess certain traits that allow them to navigate challenges and guide their team towards success. In this article, we will discuss some of the key traits of successful leaders and provide examples of leaders who embody these traits.
Strategic Thinking: Leaders who can think strategically can identify opportunities and develop plans to achieve their goals. A great example of a strategic leader is Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo. Nooyi led PepsiCo through a successful period of growth and expansion by focusing on innovation and sustainability.
Visionary Thinking: Successful leaders have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and communicate this vision to their team. A great example of a visionary leader is Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla. Musk’s vision is to create a sustainable future by reducing carbon emissions through electric cars and space exploration.
Emotional Intelligence: Leaders who possess emotional intelligence can understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others. A great example of a leader with emotional intelligence is Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft. Nadella has focused on creating a culture of empathy and empowerment at Microsoft, which has led to increased innovation and productivity.
Adaptability: Leaders who can adapt to changing situations and circumstances are more likely to succeed. An example of an adaptable leader is Jeff Bezos, the founder and former CEO of Amazon. Bezos has consistently adapted to changing market conditions and has transformed Amazon into one of the world’s most successful companies.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for leaders to convey their vision and motivate their team. A great example of a leader with excellent communication skills is Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey’s ability to connect with her audience and inspire them has led to her immense success in media and philanthropy.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is leadership, and what is its role in achieving success?
- What are some key traits of successful leaders?
- Provide an example of a leader with visionary thinking.
- Why is emotional intelligence important for leaders?
- Who is an example of a leader with excellent communication skills?tability?
Conversations Starters:
- In your opinion, which is more important for a leader: visionary thinking or adaptability?
- Have you ever worked for a leader who lacked empathy? How did it impact your experience?
- Can emotional intelligence be taught or is it something you are born with?
- What is the most important leadership trait to have in order to navigate challenges effectively?
- Have you ever had to adapt to unexpected market conditions in your own business or workplace? How did you handle it?
- How can leaders effectively communicate their vision to their team in order to inspire them to work towards a common goal?
- What are some examples of successful philanthropic initiatives that you have seen companies or leaders undertake?
- How can leaders balance the need for profitability with the need for sustainability in their business practices?
- How would you describe your boss? Former boss?
- Do you think it is possible for someone to be a good leader without possessing any of the traits listed above? Why or why not?
