Building Employee Buy-In for Policy Changes | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At work, two adults discuss how to build employee buy-in for policy changes by inviting focused suggestions before finalizing a plan..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Building Employee Buy-In for Policy Changes to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

직원들이 변화가 자신들에게 강요되고 있다고 느끼면 정책은 실패하기 쉽습니다.

jee-GWON-deu-ree BYUN-hwa-ga ja-shin-deu-reh-GEH gang-yoh-DWEH-go eet-TTA-go nuh-KKEE-myuhn juhng-CHAE-guhn shil-PAE-ha-gee SHWEEM-nee-da. Policies tend to fail when employees feel changes are being imposed on them.
B

사람들은 그 과정에 실제로 의견을 낼 수 있을 때 더 기꺼이 적응합니다.

sa-RAM-deu-reun guh-gwah-JUHNG-eh shil-JJEH-ro ee-GYUN-eul nael soo ee-SSEUL ttae duh gee-GGUH-ee juh-GEUNG-ham-nee-da. People are more likely to adjust when they have a real say in the process.
A

계획을 최종 확정하기 전에 의견을 받아 볼 수 있겠습니다.

gye-HWEG-eul chweh-JONG hwak-JJUNG-ha-gee juh-neh ee-GYUN-eul ba-DA bol soo eet-GET-sseum-nee-da. We could invite suggestions before we finalize the plan.
B

그러면 우리가 지금 입장에서는 보지 못할 수 있는 실질적인 문제들이 드러날 것입니다.

guh-ruh-MYUN oo-ree-ga jee-GEUM eep-JJANG-eh-suh-neun boh-jee moh-TAL soo een-neun shil-JJIL-juh-GEEN MOON-je-deu-ree deu-ruh-NAL guh-SHIM-nee-da. That would bring up practical issues we might not see from here.
A

또한 사람들이 그 결과에 더 관심을 가질 이유가 생깁니다.

TTO-han sa-RAM-deu-ree guh GYUL-gwa-eh duh gwan-SHIM-eul ga-JIL ee-YOO-ga saeng-GIM-nee-da. It also gives people more reason to care about the outcome.
B

실행 가능한 계획이라도 사람들이 그 계획에 주인의식을 느껴야 합니다.

shil-HAENG ga-NEUNG-han gye-HWEG-ee-ra-do sa-RAM-deu-ree guh gye-HWEG-eh joo-EE-neh-shi-geul nuh-KKYUH-ya ham-nee-da. A workable plan still needs people to feel invested.
A

어려운 점은 논의를 건설적으로 유지하면서 구체적인 내용에 집중하는 것입니다.

uh-RYUH-woon juhm-eun NOHN-ee-reul gun-SEOL-juh-geu-ro yoo-JEE-ha-myuhn-suh goo-CHEH-juh-geen nae-YONG-eh jeep-JJOONG-ha-neun guh-SHIM-nee-da. The hard part is keeping the discussion constructive and specific.
B

그렇다면 폭넓게 의견을 요청하기보다 구체적인 질문을 해야겠습니다.

guh-ruh-TA-myun pong-NEOL-kkeh ee-GYUN-eul yoh-CHUNG-ha-gee-BO-da goo-CHEH-juh-geen JEEL-moon-eul HAE-ya-get-sseum-nee-da. Then we should ask focused questions instead of making a broad feedback request.

Word by Word

직원들이 직원들이 means employees as the subject of the sentence. The ending 들 marks the plural group, and 이 marks the subject. This form is useful when describing what employees think, feel, or do.
변화가 변화가 means changes as the subject of the employees’ perception. 가 marks 변화 as what is being imposed. The same subject-marker pattern can identify what is happening or changing.
자신들에게 자신들에게 means to themselves or on themselves in this sentence. 에게 marks the people affected, and 자신 refers back to the employees. This form is useful when describing something directed at the people under discussion.
강요되고 강요되고 means being imposed, with the passive idea that the changes are forced on someone. It connects this state to 있다고 in 강요되고 있다고. The form is useful for describing a policy, rule, or demand that people experience as forced.
있다고 있다고 presents the preceding state as the content of what employees feel: that the imposition is happening. It connects 강요되고 to 느끼면 through a quoted or perceived statement. This pattern is useful after verbs such as feel, think, or say when introducing the content of that perception.
느끼면 느끼면 means if or when they feel, introducing the condition for the policy’s failure. The ending 면 adds the if-or-when meaning to 느끼다. This form is useful for stating what happens when someone has a particular impression or emotion.
정책은 정책은 means policies as the topic of the sentence. 은 marks 정책 as the topic and sets up the general statement about its outcome. This pattern is useful when discussing a policy’s effectiveness, limits, or results.
실패하기 실패하기 means failing in the noun-like form used before 쉽습니다. The ending 기 turns the action into the thing described as easy or likely. The pattern 실패하기 쉽습니다 is useful for saying that something is prone to fail.
쉽습니다 쉽습니다 means easy or likely in the construction 실패하기 쉽습니다, so the sentence says that policies are likely to fail. Here it does not describe physical ease; it describes the likelihood of an outcome. The formal polite ending makes the statement suitable for a workplace discussion.
사람들은 사람들은 means people as the topic of the sentence. 은 marks 사람들 as the group being discussed and sets up a general observation about their behavior. This form is useful when making a broad statement about people’s reactions.
그 그 means that or the and refers here to the process already under discussion. It points back to shared information rather than introducing a new process. This form is useful before a noun when the listener can identify the specific thing meant.
과정에 과정에 means in or within the process. 에 marks the process as the area in which people can express their opinions. This marker is commonly used with an activity or process to show where participation occurs.
실제로 실제로 means actually or genuinely, emphasizing that people have real participation rather than only an apparent opportunity. It modifies the idea of being able to express an opinion. This adverb is useful when contrasting a real situation with an assumed or merely formal one.
의견을 의견을 means an opinion or say as the object of expressing. 을 marks the opinion as what people can give through 낼. The expression 의견을 내다 is useful when someone contributes an opinion to a discussion or decision.
낼 낼 means to give or express in 의견을 낼 수 있을 때. It is the form of 내다 that modifies 수 in the ability pattern, so the idea is being able to express an opinion. This form is useful before 수 when describing the possibility of contributing something.
수 수 represents possibility or ability in 의견을 낼 수 있을 때. Together with the preceding verb form and 있을, it creates the pattern for being able to do something. This noun-like form is commonly used in ability and possibility constructions.
있을 있을 contributes the idea of being possible or able in 낼 수 있을 때. It is the form of 있다 used before 때, completing the pattern for when someone has the ability to do something. This form is useful when locating an action in a situation where it is possible.
때 때 means when or at the time that, and it introduces the condition under which people adjust. In 낼 수 있을 때, it follows the ability expression and means when they can express an opinion. This pattern is useful for connecting an action to the time or condition in which it occurs.
더 더 means more and shows that the willingness to adjust increases under the stated condition. It modifies 기꺼이 적응합니다. This word is useful when comparing the degree of a behavior or response.
기꺼이 기꺼이 means willingly, showing that people adjust with a positive willingness rather than merely complying. It modifies 적응합니다. This adverb is useful for describing a person’s readiness to accept or do something.
적응합니다 적응합니다 means adjust or adapt in this formal polite sentence. It describes people becoming able to live or work with the change. This form is useful in workplace discussions about adapting to new policies, systems, or conditions.
계획을 계획을 means the plan as the object of finalizing. 을 marks the plan as what will be finalized. This object-marker pattern is useful with actions such as review, change, approve, or finalize.
최종 최종 means final and specifies that the plan is being finalized at the last decision stage. It modifies 확정하기. This word is useful when distinguishing a final decision from an earlier draft or discussion.
확정하기 확정하기 means finalizing in the noun-like form used before 전에. The ending 기 turns 확정하다 into an action that can be placed before before. This pattern is useful for describing what must happen before a decision becomes final.
전에 전에 means before and places the following main action before the action expressed by 확정하기. Here it means before finalizing the plan. This form is useful after a noun or verb-based action when setting a time limit or sequence.
받아 받아 means receive or collect in the phrase 받아 볼 수 있겠습니다. It connects 받다 to the auxiliary idea expressed by 볼. This form is useful when describing receiving opinions, suggestions, comments, or other input.
볼 볼 adds a try or see-for-oneself nuance in 받아 볼 수 있겠습니다, rather than referring simply to visual seeing. It is the form of 보다 used before 수 in this construction. This pattern is useful when suggesting that someone try an action or see what results from it.
있겠습니다 있겠습니다 means could be possible or would be possible in 받아 볼 수 있겠습니다. It presents the suggestion politely and tentatively rather than as a firm command. This formal style is useful when proposing an option in a workplace conversation.
그러면 그러면 means then or in that case and connects the previous suggestion to its expected result. It signals that the speaker is reasoning from what was just said. This expression is useful when moving from a condition or proposal to a consequence.
우리가 우리가 means we as the subject of the action. 가 marks 우리 as the group that might not see the issues from its current position. This form is useful when clearly identifying who will take an action or share a limitation.
지금 지금 means now and describes the current stage or viewpoint. It modifies the standpoint expressed in 입장에서는. This word is useful when contrasting the present situation with a later stage or a different perspective.
입장에서는 입장에서는 means from the standpoint or from the position of, here referring to the group’s current perspective. 에서 marks the standpoint, and 는 presents it as the topic or frame for comparison. This pattern is useful when explaining how an issue looks to a particular person or group.
보지 보지 means see in the negative construction 보지 못할 수 있는. The ending 지 connects 보다 to 못하다, so it is not a complete negative expression by itself here. This pattern is useful when describing something that someone may fail to notice or recognize.
못할 못할 means may not be able to do in 보지 못할 수 있는. It is the form of 못하다 that modifies 수, expressing possible inability to see the issues. This form is useful before 수 when the limitation concerns ability or circumstances.
있는 있는 contributes the idea of being possible or able in 보지 못할 수 있는. It is the form of 있다 that modifies the following noun phrase, linking the possibility to the practical issues. This pattern is useful for describing something that can exist or may happen under given conditions.
실질적인 실질적인 means practical or substantive, emphasizing issues that affect how the plan works in reality. It modifies 문제들이. This adjective is useful when distinguishing concrete operational concerns from only theoretical or general comments.
문제들이 문제들이 means issues or problems as the subject of the sentence. 들 marks more than one issue, and 이 marks the issues as what will come to light. This form is useful when describing several concerns that emerge during review or discussion.
드러날 드러날 means will come to light or become apparent in 드러날 것입니다. It is the form of 드러나다 used before 것입니다 to describe an expected result. This word is useful for issues, facts, or weaknesses that were not previously visible.
것입니다 것입니다 completes the formal construction 드러날 것입니다, presenting the result as expected or projected. It gives the sentence a formal explanatory tone. This construction is useful when stating what a proposed action is expected to reveal.
또한 또한 means also and adds another benefit to the one already mentioned. It introduces the point about people caring more about the outcome. This word is useful for adding a related point in an explanation or presentation.
사람들이 사람들이 means people as the subject of having more reason to care. 이 marks 사람들 as the group whose attitude may change. This form is useful when describing a group’s response to a result, policy, or decision.
결과에 결과에 means about or regarding the outcome in the expression 관심을 가지다. 에 marks the outcome as what the interest is directed toward. This pattern is useful for specifying the subject of someone’s interest or concern.
관심을 관심을 means interest or concern as the object of 가지다. 을 marks interest as what people have or take in relation to the outcome. The expression 관심을 가지다 is useful when saying that someone pays attention to or cares about something.
가질 가질 means have or take in 가질 이유가 생깁니다. It is the form of 가지다 that modifies 이유, meaning a reason to have interest. This form is useful before a noun when describing the reason or opportunity to possess an attitude or response.
이유가 이유가 means a reason as the subject of 생깁니다. 가 marks the reason as what comes into existence. This form is useful when explaining why someone develops interest, motivation, or willingness.
생깁니다 생깁니다 means arises or comes into existence in the formal polite style. Here it describes a reason for caring becoming available through participation in the process. This form is useful for new reasons, opportunities, or problems that emerge.
실행 실행 means implementation or execution and specifies the practical carrying out of a plan. It combines with 가능한 to describe a plan that can be put into practice. This noun is useful when discussing whether a plan can be carried out in real conditions.
가능한 가능한 means possible or workable and modifies 계획. In 실행 가능한 계획, it describes a plan that can actually be implemented. This form is useful before a noun when evaluating whether an action or proposal can be carried out.
계획이라도 계획이라도 means even a plan, adding a concessive meaning to the statement. 이라도 attaches to 계획 and shows that even a workable plan still requires people’s involvement. This pattern is useful when saying that a condition applies despite the presence of something that might seem sufficient.
주인의식을 주인의식을 means a sense of ownership as the object of 느끼다. 을 marks this attitude as what people need to feel about the plan. The expression 주인의식을 느끼다 is useful when discussing whether people feel personally involved in or responsible for an outcome.
느껴야 느껴야 means must or need to feel in 느껴야 합니다. The ending 어야 expresses a necessary condition and connects to 합니다. This form is useful when stating what people need to experience for a plan or process to succeed.
합니다 합니다 completes the formal polite obligation pattern 느껴야 합니다, meaning must or need to feel. On its own it is a formal form of 하다, but here it supports the necessity expressed by 어야. This ending is useful in professional or formal statements about requirements.
어려운 어려운 means difficult and modifies 점 in 어려운 점은. It describes the aspect of the process that requires the most care. This form is useful before a noun when identifying a difficult task, issue, or feature.
점은 점은 means the point or aspect as the topic of the explanation. 은 marks the difficult aspect as what the speaker will identify next. This pattern is useful when introducing one particular feature or challenge of a larger matter.
논의를 논의를 means the discussion as the object of keeping constructive. 를 marks the discussion as what is being maintained in a certain way. This form is useful with verbs that describe managing, changing, or continuing a discussion.
건설적으로 건설적으로 means constructively and describes the desired manner of maintaining the discussion. It modifies 유지하면서. This adverb is useful when encouraging discussion that produces useful progress rather than only criticism.
유지하면서 유지하면서 means while maintaining and connects the maintenance of the discussion with the simultaneous focus on specifics. The ending 면서 adds the while meaning to 유지하다. This form is useful when describing two actions or conditions that continue together.
구체적인 구체적인 means specific or concrete and modifies 내용. It asks the discussion to deal with identifiable details rather than remaining general. This adjective is useful before a noun when requesting precise information or examples.
내용에 내용에 means on or in the content in 내용에 집중하는 것입니다. 에 marks the content as the focus of 집중하다. This pattern is useful for specifying what a person or group should concentrate on.
집중하는 집중하는 means focusing in the construction 내용에 집중하는 것입니다. It is the form of 집중하다 that describes the action as the main point being discussed. This form is useful before 것 or another noun-like expression when explaining an activity.
그렇다면 그렇다면 means then or if that is the case and introduces a conclusion based on the previous difficulty. It is slightly more explicitly conditional than a simple sequence marker. This expression is useful when turning an earlier observation into a recommendation.
폭넓게 폭넓게 means broadly or widely and describes the scope of the request. It modifies 요청하기, contrasting a wide request with focused questions. This adverb is useful when describing coverage that includes many areas or possibilities.
요청하기보다 요청하기보다 means rather than requesting, presenting one action as an alternative to another. 기 nominalizes 요청하다, and 보다 marks the comparison or preferred alternative. This pattern is useful for recommending one approach instead of a different approach.
질문을 질문을 means questions as the object of the action in 질문을 해야겠습니다. 을 marks the questions as what the speakers should ask. The pattern 질문을 하다 is useful when describing the act of asking questions.
해야겠습니다 해야겠습니다 means should or need to do in the formal polite expression 질문을 해야겠습니다. It presents the speaker’s considered decision or recommendation after discussing the situation. This form is useful when proposing the next action in a professional conversation.

Grammar Points

V-기보다

요청하기보다 질문을 해야

yoh-CHUNG-ha-gee-BO-da JEEL-moon-eul HAE-ya

Rather than requesting, one should ask questions.

기보다 means “rather than.” It connects two actions and presents the second action as the preferred alternative.

Korean Vocabulary

강요되고 verb
gang-yoh-DWEH-go being imposed
느끼면 verb
nuh-KKEE-myuhn if they feel
변화가 noun
BYUN-hwa-ga changes
사람들은 noun
sa-RAM-deu-reun people
쉽습니다 adj
SHWEEM-nee-da is easy to
실제로 adv
shil-JJEH-ro actually; genuinely
실패하기 verb
shil-PAE-ha-gee to fail
의견을 낼 수 있을 때 phrase
ee-GYUN-eul nael soo ee-SSEUL ttae when they can express an opinion
자신들에게 pron
ja-shin-deu-reh-GEH to themselves
적응합니다 verb
juh-GEUNG-ham-nee-da adjust; adapt
정책은 noun
juhng-CHAE-guhn policy
직원들이 noun
jee-GWON-deu-ree employees

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

people

Show Answer사람들은

to themselves

Show Answer자신들에게

to fail

Show Answer실패하기

being imposed

Show Answer강요되고