ESL Podcast 824 - Grooming a Successor
only a matter of time - a phrase describing something that will definitely happen, but one does not know when
It's only a matter of time before Cheryl's manager realizes that she spends all her time playing games online instead of working.
to retire - to stop working, usually when one is 62 or 65 years old
If we don't start saving more money, we won't be able to retire until we're 90!
to hand over the reins - to give someone one's power, control, authority, or leadership position
Blake almost never hands over the reins, so the fact that he asked you to work on this project while he is traveling is an honor.
to fill (one's) shoes - to perform the duties and activities of another person; to do what another person normally does
The previous vice-president was very good at her job, but we believe you can fill her shoes.
consideration - careful thought about something, often over a period of time
I'm really excited about this job opportunity and I thank you for your consideration of my application.
to outrank - to have a higher position and greater authority in an organization
The manager outranks me, so I won't be able to give you permission without her input.
protégé - a person who receives guidance and support from an older, more experienced person, especially as preparation for that person to have the older person's job in the future; a mentee
Carl was very upset when his father, who owns a large business, chose someone outside of the family to be his protégé.
to take (someone) under (one's) wing - to begin to offer someone guidance, advice, and protection, especially a younger and/or less experienced person
Thanks for taking me under your wing during my first few weeks in the city. It was really helpful.
to groom - to prepare someone to do or be something by providing advice, guidance, and criticism
Even as very young babies, princes are groomed to become king.
successor - a person who has a job after another person has left that job
How long did it take the company to find your successor?
resistance - efforts to prevent something from happening or to not let something happen; opposition
Do you anticipate a lot of resistance to the new policy?
senior - having spent a lot of time in an organization or position and having a lot of experience
Frannie spent three years working as a junior sales representative before the company made her a senior sales manager.
to come into (one's) own - to achieve competence (an ability to do something well) and success using one's abilities
Charles really came into his own in his late 20s.
to have faith in (someone) - to believe in someone; to believe that someone is able to do something
Li wouldn't have put you in charge of this project if she didn't have faith in you.
up to (one) - within someone's power to make something succeed or fail; depending on someone's decisions or actions
We've cleaned the car and fixed the dent, so now it's up to you to sell it at a good price.
what (one) makes of (something) - what one does with an opportunity; how much benefit one is able to get out of something; how much effort one puts into something to achieve some goal or benefit
Parents can help their children get the finest education, but then they have to wait and see what their children make of it.
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - a very good opportunity that does not happen very often or to very many people, so one must take advantage of it
Jane received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in the space shuttle.
to let (someone) down - to disappoint someone; to not meet someone's expectations or hopes
Nancy really let down her son when she forgot to go to his baseball game.
to count on (something) - to rely or depend on something
We're counting on you to finish that report by Tuesday.