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

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai 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 → ZH / Level: B2

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

A

当员工觉得变化是强加给他们的时候，政策往往会失败。

Dāng yuángōng juéde biànhuà shì qiángjiā gěi tāmen de shíhou, zhèngcè wǎngwǎng huì shībài. Policies tend to fail when employees feel changes are being imposed on them.
B

当人们真正参与决策过程时，他们更愿意作出调整。

Dāng rénmen zhēnzhèng cānyù juécè guòchéng shí, tāmen gèng yuànyì zuòchū tiáozhěng. People are more likely to adjust when they have a real say in the process.
A

我们可以在最终确定计划之前征求建议。

Wǒmen kěyǐ zài zuìzhōng quèdìng jìhuà zhīqián zhēngqiú jiànyì. We could invite suggestions before we finalize the plan.
B

这样可以发现一些我们从目前的角度可能看不到的实际问题。

Zhèyàng kěyǐ fāxiàn yìxiē wǒmen cóng mùqián de jiǎodù kěnéng kàn bú dào de shíjì wèntí. That would bring up practical issues we might not see from here.
A

这也会让人们更有理由关心最终结果。

Zhè yě huì ràng rénmen gèng yǒu lǐyóu guānxīn zuìzhōng jiéguǒ. It also gives people more reason to care about the outcome.
B

一个可行的计划仍然需要让人们感到自己真正投入其中。

Yí ge kěxíng de jìhuà réngrán xūyào ràng rénmen gǎndào zìjǐ zhēnzhèng tóurù qízhōng. A workable plan still needs people to feel invested.
A

难点在于让讨论保持建设性，并且聚焦于具体问题。

Nándiǎn zàiyú ràng tǎolùn bǎochí jiànshèxìng, bìngqiě jùjiāo yú jùtǐ wèntí. The hard part is keeping the discussion constructive and specific.
B

那我们就应该提出有针对性的问题，而不是笼统地征求反馈。

Nà wǒmen jiù yīnggāi tíchū yǒu zhēnduìxìng de wèntí, ér bú shì lǒngtǒng de zhēngqiú fǎnkuì. Then we should ask focused questions instead of making a broad feedback request.

Word by Word

当 “当” introduces the time condition “当员工觉得变化是强加给他们的时候,” meaning when that situation occurs. It is reusable before a clause that sets the time for the main event.
员工 “员工” means employees, the people who may feel that the changes are being imposed on them. It can be used as the subject before a clause such as “员工觉得变化是强加给他们的”.
觉得 “觉得” means to feel or think something in the sentence “员工觉得变化是强加给他们的.” It is commonly followed by a clause describing someone’s perception or opinion.
变化 “变化” refers to the changes that employees feel are being imposed on them. It appears before the description in “变化是强加给他们的,” and can be used as the subject of a statement about changes.
是 In “变化是强加给他们的,” “是” links “变化” with the following description. It is reusable when identifying or describing what something is in a similar linking structure.
强加 “强加” means to impose something on someone without their willing acceptance. In “变化是强加给他们的,” it describes how the changes are being forced onto employees; it is commonly used for an unwanted thing imposed on a person.
给 In “强加给他们,” “给” marks the people who receive or bear the imposed changes. It is reusable after an action to introduce its recipient or target.
他们 “他们” means them and refers here to the employees in “强加给他们.” It is used as the object after “给” and can refer back to a previously mentioned group.
的 The “的” in “强加给他们的” completes the descriptive 是……的 structure around how the changes were imposed. It is reusable at the end of a similar description when that structure is certain.
时候 “时候” means time or when in “当员工觉得变化是强加给他们的时候.” Together with the preceding clause, it forms a time expression for the main statement.
政策 “政策” means policies, which are the subject that may fail in this dialogue. It can be used as a noun with actions describing how a policy is made, changed, or evaluated.
往往 “往往” shows a recurring tendency in “政策往往会失败,” meaning policies often fail under this condition. It is reusable before a verb phrase to describe what commonly happens.
会 In “往往会失败,” “会” expresses an expected or likely result rather than simply a fixed future event. It is reusable before a verb when describing a possible or typical outcome.
失败 “失败” means fail, describing the result of a policy that lacks employee support. It can follow a subject directly, as in “政策会失败,” to state that something does not succeed.
人们 “人们” means people in general and is the subject in “人们真正参与决策过程时.” It is useful when discussing a group broadly rather than naming specific individuals.
真正 “真正” means genuinely or truly and emphasizes that the participation is real in “真正参与决策过程.” It is reusable before a verb or description when stressing that something is genuine.
参与 “参与” means participate in, as in “参与决策过程.” It is commonly followed by the activity, process, or matter that someone takes part in.
决策 “决策” refers to decision-making in the compound “决策过程.” It identifies the type of process people participate in and can modify a noun describing that process.
过程 “过程” means process, here the decision-making process in “决策过程.” It can follow the name of an activity to refer to the process of carrying it out.
时 “时” marks the time condition in “参与决策过程时,” meaning when people participate in the decision-making process. It can follow an event or action clause to set the time for another statement.
更 “更” means more and increases the degree of willingness in “更愿意作出调整.” It is reusable before an adjective or willingness expression when comparing or intensifying a response.
愿意 “愿意” means be willing to, as in “愿意作出调整.” It is followed by the action someone is prepared to take.
作出 “作出” means make or carry out in the formal expression “作出调整.” It commonly comes before a noun describing a decision, response, or change that someone makes.
调整 “调整” refers here to the adjustment people are more willing to make when they participate. In “作出调整,” it names the response made by the people, and it can follow “作出” in this kind of formal expression.
我们 “我们” means we or us and is the subject of “我们可以在最终确定计划之前征求建议.” It is reusable as the subject when proposing or describing an action by the speaker’s group.
可以 “可以” means can or could and presents “我们可以……” as an available proposal. It is reusable before a verb phrase to suggest that an action is possible or permitted.
在 In “在最终确定计划之前,” “在” introduces the time setting connected with finalizing the plan. It is reusable before a place, time, or event phrase.
最终 “最终” means finally or at the final stage in “最终确定计划.” It is reusable before an action to show that the action happens at the concluding stage.
确定 “确定” means finalize or determine in “确定计划.” It is commonly followed directly by the thing being finalized or determined.
计划 “计划” means plan and is the object of “确定” in “确定计划.” It can be used as a noun after an action verb to name the plan being handled.
之前 “之前” means before and follows the event phrase “最终确定计划” in “最终确定计划之前.” It is reusable after a verb phrase to place another action earlier in time.
征求 “征求” means solicit or seek, as in “征求建议.” It describes actively asking people for input and is commonly followed by the opinions, suggestions, or feedback being requested.
建议 “建议” means suggestions and is the object of “征求” in “征求建议.” It can follow “征求” when people are invited to offer practical input.
这样 “这样” means in this way or this, referring back to the proposal to invite suggestions in “这样可以发现一些实际问题.” It is reusable at the beginning of a sentence to refer to a preceding action or method.
发现 “发现” means discover or identify, here referring to identifying practical issues that were not previously visible. It is reusable before the thing that someone notices or identifies.
一些 “一些” means some or a number of, without specifying an exact amount in “一些实际问题.” It is reusable before a noun when referring to an unspecified quantity.
从 “从” means from and introduces the viewpoint in “从目前的角度.” It is reusable before a source, starting point, or perspective.
目前 “目前” means currently or at present and describes the perspective in “目前的角度.” It can come before “的” and a noun to specify the present condition or viewpoint.
角度 “角度” means angle or perspective in “从目前的角度.” It refers to the viewpoint from which the issues may or may not be visible and is commonly used after “从” for a perspective.
可能 “可能” means might or possibly and limits the certainty of “看不到” in “可能看不到.” It is reusable before a verb phrase to express possibility.
看不到 “看不到” means cannot see or cannot identify, referring here to issues that may not be visible from the current perspective. It is reusable when something is not perceptible or cannot be noticed by someone.
实际 “实际” means practical or actual and describes the issues in “实际问题.” It is reusable before a noun when emphasizing real-world usefulness or reality.
问题 “问题” means issue or problem and is the thing that can be identified in “发现一些实际问题.” It can follow a descriptive word such as “实际” to specify the kind of issue.
这 “这” means this or it and refers back to the suggestion-inviting method in “这也会让人们更有理由关心最终结果.” It is reusable as a sentence subject when pointing to a preceding idea or action.
也 “也” means also and adds another benefit after the benefit mentioned in the previous line. It is reusable before the verb phrase that supplies an additional effect.
让 In “让人们更有理由关心最终结果,” “让” indicates that the method causes people to have more reason to care about the outcome. It is reusable in the pattern “让 + person or group + result or action”.
有 “有” means have in “有理由,” referring to possessing a reason to care about the outcome. It is reusable before a noun that someone has or possesses.
理由 “理由” means reason, here the reason people have to care about the outcome. It commonly follows “有” in the expression “有理由”.
关心 “关心” means care about, with “最终结果” as its object in “关心最终结果.” It is reusable directly before the person, matter, or result that receives someone’s concern.
结果 “结果” means result or outcome and refers here to the final outcome of the plan. It appears as the object of “关心” in “关心最终结果” and can be used after a verb that evaluates or considers an outcome.
一个 “一个” introduces one plan in “一个可行的计划.” It is reusable before a noun phrase when presenting one item or one example.
可行 “可行” means workable or feasible and describes the plan in “可行的计划.” It is reusable before “的” and a noun when judging whether a proposal can work in practice.
仍然 “仍然” means still and shows that the requirement remains true even for a workable plan. It is reusable before a verb phrase to indicate that a condition continues to apply.
需要 “需要” means need, as in “计划仍然需要让人们感到自己真正投入其中.” It is reusable after a subject and before the person or action required.
感到 “感到” means feel, introducing the experience in “感到自己真正投入其中.” It is reusable before a clause or description of an emotional or personal state.
自己 “自己” means oneself and refers back to the people who need to feel involved in “让人们感到自己真正投入其中.” It is reusable when the person experiencing the feeling is also the person being referred to inside the clause.
投入 “投入” means invested or involved in “自己真正投入其中,” describing genuine involvement in the plan or process. It is reusable after “感到” when describing a person’s involvement or commitment.
其中 “其中” means in it or within that matter and refers here to the plan or process. In “投入其中,” it identifies what people are involved in and can follow an expression of participation or involvement.
难点 “难点” means the difficult part or main challenge in “难点在于让讨论保持建设性.” It is reusable as the subject before “在于” to identify what makes an undertaking difficult.
在于 “在于” means lie in or consist in and introduces the source of the difficulty in “难点在于让讨论保持建设性.” It is reusable after a noun such as “难点” and before the action or condition that explains it.
讨论 “讨论” means discussion in “让讨论保持建设性.” It refers to the conversation that needs to maintain a useful quality and can function as the subject of an action affecting the discussion.
保持 “保持” means keep or maintain, here maintaining the discussion as constructive and specific. It is reusable before a quality or state that should continue.
建设性 “建设性” describes a constructive quality in “讨论保持建设性.” It is reusable after “保持” when stating that a discussion should remain helpful and productive.
并且 “并且” means and also, connecting the requirements that the discussion remain constructive and focus on specifics. It is reusable between parallel actions or descriptions.
聚焦 “聚焦” means focus in “聚焦于具体问题.” It is commonly followed by “于” and the matter that receives focused attention.
于 In “聚焦于具体问题,” “于” introduces the target of the focus. It is reusable in this formal pattern after “聚焦” before the matter being focused on.
具体 “具体” means specific or concrete and describes the issues in “具体问题.” It is reusable before a noun when the speaker wants attention directed to clearly defined details.
那 “那” means then or in that case at the start of “那我们就应该提出有针对性的问题.” It signals a conclusion or response based on what was just said and is reusable at the beginning of a reply.
就 “就” marks the consequent action in “那我们就应该提出有针对性的问题,” meaning then or accordingly. It is reusable after a condition or conclusion marker before the resulting action.
应该 “应该” means should and introduces the recommendation to ask focused questions. It is reusable before a verb phrase when giving advice or stating an appropriate action.
提出 “提出” means put forward or raise, here referring to putting forward focused questions in “提出有针对性的问题.” It is reusable with a question, suggestion, or issue that someone brings forward.
针对性 “针对性” describes the quality of being targeted or relevant in “有针对性的问题.” It is reusable in the pattern “有针对性的 + noun” when something is designed for a particular purpose.
而 In “而不是笼统地征求反馈,” “而” connects the chosen action with the alternative being rejected. It is most useful here as part of the contrast pattern “而不是 + alternative”.
不是 “不是” means not be or not rather, rejecting “笼统地征求反馈” as the preferred approach in “而不是笼统地征求反馈.” It is reusable after “而” to introduce an alternative that should not be chosen.
笼统 “笼统” means broad or vague and describes the manner of requesting feedback in “笼统地征求反馈.” It is reusable before “地” when an adjective is used to describe how an action is performed.
地 “地” turns “笼统” into an adverbial description in “笼统地征求反馈,” showing how the feedback is requested. It is reusable after a descriptive word and before the verb it modifies.
反馈 “反馈” means feedback and is the object being requested in “征求反馈.” It is reusable after “征求” when asking people to provide responses or comments.

Grammar Points

往往 + 动词

员工往往参与决策过程。

Yuángōng wǎngwǎng cānyù juécè guòchéng.

Employees often participate in the decision-making process.

“往往”通常放在主语后、动词前，表示常见的倾向或情况。

有针对性的 + 名词

有针对性的反馈

Yǒu zhēnduìxìng de fǎnkuì

focused feedback

“有针对性的”在名词前作定语，用“的”连接修饰语和名词。

Chinese Vocabulary

参与 verb
cānyù participate in
决策过程 noun
juécè guòchéng decision-making process
强加给 verb
qiángjiā gěi impose on
失败 verb
shībài fail
实际问题 noun
shíjì wèntí practical issues
往往 adv
wǎngwǎng tend to; often
员工 noun
yuángōng employee
真正 adv
zhēnzhèng genuinely; truly
征求建议 phrase
zhēngqiú jiànyì solicit suggestions
政策 noun
zhèngcè policy
最终确定 verb
zuìzhōng quèdìng finalize
作出调整 phrase
zuòchū tiáozhěng make adjustments

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

make adjustments

Show Answer作出调整

decision-making process

Show Answer决策过程

practical issues

Show Answer实际问题

solicit suggestions

Show Answer征求建议