1. A) Have you ever heard of Richard Branson? Read this article about the way he works. Is there anything unusual about his management style? Do you think you would like to work for him?

B) Work with a partner. Look at the facts about Branson and ask and answer questions about how he works. Use these question forms to help you.

What...? How...? How many...?

Where ...? Does he ...? How much ...?

When...? Has he...? What sort of ...?

Why ...? How often ...?

2. A) The text is about the different styles that men and women have in the workplace.

2. Look at the cartoons and say which figures you think represent men and which represent women?

C) Read the text and see if the writer's ideas are the same as yours.

D) The text has eight main sub-sections. Match the cartoons to the sections.

MEN and women do things differently. There are, of course, exceptions to every generalisation, including this one.

Cristina Stuart is a managing director of Speakeasy Training, a consultancy that runs courses for men and women working together. Here she describes a few key differences between the sexes in the workplace.

1 Working together

The male approach to business is competitive, direct and confrontational. The end justifies the means.* Personal status and a focus on the individual are important.

The female method is collaborative. Collective action and responsibility are more important than personal achievement. Lateral thinking*, as well as goodwill and the well-being of the individual, are also of great importance.

2 Tackling problems

The male approach is to go to the heart of the problem, without taking into account secondary considerations. The female preference is to look at various options.

3 Body language

Male body language tends to be challenging. Female body language tends towards self-protection. A stereotypical female pose is sitting cross-legged; the male sits with legs apart to give an impression that he is in control.

Male behaviour can include forceful gestures for example banging a fist on the desk for effect. The female style does not usually include aggressive gestures.

4 Language

The male way of speaking does not encourage discussion. Women tend to welcome others' opinions and contributions more.

5 Conversation

Men like to talk about their personal experiences and achievements or discuss 'masculine' topics such as cars or sport. Women tend to talk about staff problems and personal matters.

6 Meetings

If a woman does not copy the male confrontational style, she is often ignored.

7 Self-promotion

Men find it easy to tell others about their successes. Women tend to share or pass on the credit for a success.

8 Humour

Men's humour can be cruel - a man's joke usually has a victim. Female humour is less hurtful. A woman often jokes against herself

CAVEAT Many men have a female style of working. Equally many women have a male approach. As Ms Stuart says many of the current management theorems - flatter organisations*, empowerment, managing by consensus* - have a female style to them.

• the end justifies the means: it doesn't matter what methods you use; success is the only important thing

• lateral thinking: thinking in a creative way, making unusual connections

• flatter organisations: organisations in which there are fewer managers and people have equal status

• managing by consensus: managing by getting everyone to agree

E) According to the text, which of these phrases are typically used by men and which by women?

Example:

'It's very simple. The point is ...'

Men because 'the male approach is to go to the heart of the matter'.

1. 'But we need to take account of...'

2. 'You look worried. What do you think about the new plan?'

3. 'That's rubbish!'

4. 'I built the department from nothing.'

5. 'Thanks for your kind words, but this really was a team effort.'

6. 'It was so funny. He looked ridiculous!'

F) Work in groups and discuss the questions.

1. What is the style of male and female managers in companies in your country? Are they similar to the ones outlined in the text?

2. Do you think there is a difference in style between men and women or is any difference usually because of personality?

3. Do you know any men who have a 'female' style of working? or women who have a 'male' style of working?

4. Do you find it easier to work with men or women? Why?