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Framing problems as losses makes employees speak up (Level A1) — Woman talking on phone at desk in office

Framing problems as losses makes employees speak upCEFR A1

28 Apr 2026

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Adapted from Jacob Levin - Virginia Tech, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by Vitaly Gariev, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
90 words
  • Managers tell employees about work problems every day.
  • How managers describe problems really affects employee action.
  • People can hear a problem as a loss or a gain.
  • When managers focus on losses, employees speak up more often.
  • Speaking up means giving clear suggestions to improve work.
  • Suggestions help the team work better and stay safer.
  • Employees feel more motivated when loss affects the whole group.
  • Leaders can change their words to get more ideas.
  • The research found this effect in many workplaces.
  • Managers can try this simple change at work.

Difficult words

  • manager — a leader at work who tells employees about problems
    managers
  • employee — a person who works for a company or manager
    employees
  • describe — to say what something is like
  • loss — something lost or taken away from you
  • gain — something you get that is better or more
  • suggestion — an idea to improve work or solve problems
    Suggestions
  • motivate — to give someone energy or reason to act
    motivated

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Do you speak up at work?
  • Have you ever given a suggestion at work?
  • Would you prefer a manager who talks about losses or gains?

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