[originaltext]M: So Janice, you were looking at identifying different talents i

M: So Janice, you were looking at identifying different talents in workers, do you think this is easy for managers to do?
W: Well, currently teamwork is in fashion in the workplace and in my opinion the importance of the individual is generally neglected. What managers should be targeting is those employees who can take the lead in a situation and are not afraid to accept the idea of responsibility.
M: That’s true Janice but unfortunately many managers think the entire notion of encouraging individuality amongst their staff is far too hard.
W: Yes, that maybe true but I think one of the most important tasks of managers is to consider the needs of the individual on one hand and group co-operation and conformity on the other. It requires creative thinking on the part of the management to avoid tension.
M: So Janice, what kind of people do you think companies should be looking for?
W: Well, it has to start at the very beginning when companies are looking for new employees. When the personnel department is choosing between applicants they need to look for someone who’ s broken the mould and can think for themselves. Instead, people making these decisions often use a range of psychological tests to see if a person is a problem solver, or will do as they’ re told. I’ m not convinced that these qualities are actually the most important.
M: So do you think being a good team player is overrated?
W: No, it’ s not overrated. You do need to learn the rules and learn them fast. No individual can get around this if you’ re working in an organization.
M: So how should managers deal with this?
W: Rewards. When an individual demonstrates the behaviour the organization expects, some kind of incentive can be given. What’s important here is that this happens right at the beginning so new recruits learn the rules of the system immediately. Also the incentive should be something the individual actually wants, and this isn’t always just money.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. According to Janice, what kind of workers should be encouraged by employers?
13. What is difficult for managers?
14. What kind of job applicants are needed by employers?
15. What is important for the managers?