Unit# (ctl+shift+v)
Jobs: Shaping Corporate Culture and the Modern Workplace Environment
Vocabulary and Example Sentences

1. transformed

Original context: Changed workplace culture completely

The new coach transformed the losing basketball team into championship contenders within two seasons.

2. hierarchies

Original context: Formal organizational structures with levels of authority

Military organizations rely on strict hierarchies to maintain order and clear command structures.

3. top-down

Original context: Management style where decisions come from upper levels

The school implemented a top-down approach to curriculum changes, with administrators making all decisions without teacher input.

4. insights

Original context: Valuable understanding or knowledge gained

The market research provided crucial insights into customer preferences that helped launch the successful product.

5. dress code

Original context: Rules about appropriate clothing for work

The restaurant's strict dress code requires all servers to wear black pants and white shirts.

6. conformity

Original context: Following established rules or standards

The artist rejected social conformity and chose to express herself through unconventional paintings.

7. signature

Original context: Characteristic or distinctive style

The chef's signature dish features locally sourced ingredients prepared with his unique spice blend.

8. casual attire

Original context: Informal, relaxed clothing

The tech startup encourages casual attire, allowing employees to wear jeans and sneakers to the office.

9. empowered

Original context: Gave authority or confidence to act

The new voting rights law empowered previously disenfranchised citizens to participate in elections.

10. protocol

Original context: Formal procedures or rules

Hospital staff must follow strict protocol when handling infectious materials to prevent contamination.

11. bureaucratic

Original context: Characterized by complex administrative procedures

The bureaucratic permit process took six months to approve the simple home renovation project.

12. bureaucracy

Original context: Administrative system with complex procedures

Citizens complained that government bureaucracy made it nearly impossible to get a business license quickly.

13. progress

Original context: Forward movement or advancement

The student's progress in learning Spanish accelerated after she started practicing with native speakers.

14. stood in the way

Original context: Created obstacles or barriers

Bad weather stood in the way of the hiking expedition, forcing them to postpone their mountain climb.

15. cross-functional

Original context: Including people from different departments or specialties

The hospital formed a cross-functional team of doctors, nurses, and administrators to improve patient care.

16. bottom-up

Original context: Approach where ideas come from lower levels up

The community used a bottom-up approach to urban planning, gathering input from residents before making neighborhood changes.

17. flexibility

Original context: Ability to adapt and change easily

The yoga instructor's flexibility allowed her to demonstrate even the most challenging poses.

18. mastering

Original context: Becoming highly skilled at something

Mastering the violin requires years of dedicated practice and consistent lessons.

19. essential

Original context: Absolutely necessary or crucial

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good cardiovascular health as you age.

20. headquarters

Original context: Main office or center of operations

The charity moved its headquarters to a larger building to accommodate its growing staff.

21. campus

Original context: Grounds and buildings of an organization

The university campus features beautiful gardens, modern laboratories, and historic brick buildings.

22. strategic

Original context: Carefully planned to achieve specific goals

The chess player made a strategic sacrifice of her queen to secure checkmate in three moves.

23. cubicles

Original context: Small, partitioned workspaces

The accounting firm replaced traditional cubicles with collaborative workstations to encourage teamwork.

24. open layout

Original context: Space design without walls or barriers

The library's open layout allows visitors to easily navigate between different sections and study areas.

25. communal

Original context: Shared by a group of people

The apartment building features a communal garden where residents can grow vegetables together.

26. non-negotiable

Original context: Not open to discussion or compromise

Safety protocols are non-negotiable in the chemical laboratory, regardless of time pressures.

27. performance-driven

Original context: Focused on achieving high standards and results

The sales team operates in a performance-driven environment where monthly targets determine bonuses.

28. short-term

Original context: Focused on immediate rather than long-term results

The politician's short-term thinking about budget cuts ignored the long-term consequences for education.

29. priorities

Original context: Things considered most important

After the accident, the family's priorities shifted from career advancement to spending quality time together.

30. mindset

Original context: Way of thinking or mental attitude

Developing a growth mindset helps students view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles.

31. demanding

Original context: Requiring high standards and effort

Medical school is demanding, requiring students to study long hours and master complex material.

32. boosting

Original context: Increasing or improving something

The energy drink is marketed as boosting athletic performance during intense workouts.

33. talent

Original context: Skilled and capable people

The music conservatory attracts talent from around the world to study with renowned instructors.

34. intensity

Original context: Extreme focus and energy

The athlete's training intensity increased dramatically as the Olympics approached.

35. high-stakes

Original context: Involving significant risk or important consequences

The high-stakes poker tournament attracted professional players competing for a million-dollar prize.

36. fostered

Original context: Encouraged or promoted development

The teacher fostered creativity in her students by allowing them to choose their own research topics.

37. challenging

Original context: Difficult and demanding

The mountain climbing expedition proved challenging due to unpredictable weather and steep terrain.

38. dynamic

Original context: Characterized by energy and change

The dynamic startup culture encouraged employees to take risks and propose innovative solutions.

39. stable

Original context: Steady and unchanging

The patient's vital signs remained stable throughout the surgery, indicating good recovery prospects.

40. productivity

Original context: Efficiency in producing work or results

The new software tools significantly improved the team's productivity by automating routine tasks.

41. encouraged

Original context: Supported and promoted

The art teacher encouraged her students to experiment with different painting techniques and styles.