Hey Max, what's up?

Sarah, I've been thinking.

I really want that management position that just opened up.

I mean, how hard can it be?

Hard? Well, let's see.

Managing people, budgets, deadlines, making tough decisions, handling conflicts.

A lot of responsibilities, you know.

I don't think that's very easy.

Oh come on, I've been here eight months.

I know the ins and outs of the team, and I can totally handle it.

Eight months, huh?

That's like being a toddler in a world of grown-ups.

We all want to move up quickly, but remember, learn to walk before you run.

Oh come on, I'm not asking to run a marathon.

I know it's a big step, but I feel like I've been picking things up quickly.

Look Max, I get it.

You want to climb the ladder, but you've got to build a solid foundation first.

I know, I know.

But what's the harm in aiming high?

Aiming high is great, Max.

But if you skip the basics, you might trip over your own feet.

Seriously, you need to master your current role before you take on more.

I've got ideas.

I've been following the team leads around, and I understand the processes.

I could revolutionize the department.

You should take things one step at a time.

You're still new, and there's a lot to learn.

If you rush into a managerial role without the foundation, you might find it overwhelming.

I guess I hadn't looked at it that way, but I feel like I'm ready to leap into it.

First, show them you can manage your workload without dropping the ball.

I get what you mean.

You're right.

Maybe I should focus on nailing my current projects first.

Now you're talking.

Trust me, they'll notice your hard work.

I believe you have the potential, but think about it like this.

Each experience you gain now will prepare you for those bigger responsibilities later.

So, no running yet, huh?

Nope, just a nice little stroll.

All right, I'll take it one step at a time.

But once I learn to walk…

We can talk about sprinting!

Cheers to that!

Cheers!

Vocabulary

The ins and outs

The ins and outs refers to the details and complexities of something, usually a process or situation.

It's like understanding all the little parts that make up the whole.

Before starting a new job, it's important to learn the ins and outs of the company.

Pick something up

Pick something up means to learn or acquire something quickly.

After a few lessons, he was picking up the guitar really quickly.

Pick something up also means to lift something using your hands.

The girl picked up the phone and began speaking with her mom.

Take things one step at a time

This idiom basically means to approach a task or a problem gradually, without trying to do everything all at once.

If you're feeling stressed about your upcoming exams, remember to take things one step at a time.

Focus on studying one subject each day.

Leap into

The phrase leap into means to jump into something.

It often implies taking a bold or enthusiastic step into a new situation.

When the opportunity to study abroad arose, Mark didn't hesitate. He leaped into the adventure of a lifetime.

Drop the ball

Drop the ball is an idiom that means to fail in your responsibilities or to make a mistake in a situation where you were expected to do something correctly.

During our group project, Jake really dropped the ball by not submitting his part on time, and we all suffered for it.

Nail something

The phrase nail something means to do something perfectly or to accomplish something successfully.

After weeks of practice, he finally nailed the math test.

Comprehension questions

Hey Max, what's up?

Sarah, I've been thinking. I really want that management position that just opened up.

I've been here eight months.

Who are the two main characters in the text?

Sarah and Max are the two main characters in the text.

How long has Max been working at the company?

Eight months. Max has been working at the company for eight months.

What does Max want?

He wants the management position.

Hard? Well, let's see.

Managing people, budgets, deadlines, making tough decisions, handling conflicts.

A lot of responsibilities, you know.

I don't think that's very easy.

Does Sarah consider the job of a manager an easy one?

No, she doesn't. She doesn't consider the job of a manager an easy one.

Why is being a manager so hard, according to Sarah?

Because it involves a lot of responsibilities.

Oh, come on. I've been here eight months.

I know the ins and outs of the team, and I can totally handle it.

Is Max confident he can handle the job, or is he scared?

Max is confident he can handle it.

Eight months, huh? That's like being a toddler in a world of grown-ups.

What does Sarah compare Max's experience to?

She says he is like a toddler in a world of grown-ups.

What does that mean?

It means he is not very experienced because he is still new.

We all want to move up quickly, but remember, learn to walk before you run.

Oh, come on. I'm not asking to run a marathon.

What advice does Sarah give Max?

Learn to walk before you run.

What's the meaning of the idiom, learn to walk before you run?

You should learn the basics before trying something difficult.

I know it's a big step, but I feel like I've been picking things up quickly.

What phrase does Max use to suggest he is a fast learner?

Max says, I've been picking things up quickly.

Aiming high is great, Max, but if you skip the basics, you might trip over your own feet.

Sarah says that if Max skips the basics, he might trip over his own feet.

What does she mean?

She means he might make mistakes if he rushed into something too quickly.

You want to climb the ladder, but you've got to build a solid foundation first.

What does climb the ladder mean?

It means to get promoted or go higher in your job.

Seriously, you need to master your current role before you take on more.

What does Sarah tell Max he needs to do before taking on more responsibilities?

She says he needs to master his current role.

You should take things one step at a time.

You're still new and there's a lot to learn.

If you rush into a managerial role without the foundation, you might find it overwhelming.

Why is it important for Max to take things one step at a time?

If he rushes, he might not do a good job and he could get stressed out.

First, show them you can manage your workload without dropping the ball.

I get what you mean.

You're right.

Maybe I should focus on nailing my current projects first.

What advice does Sarah give Max about his workload?

Sarah tells him to prove first he is able to manage his workload without making mistakes.

What does Max finally agree to do?

He agrees to focus on his current projects.

What does nail my current projects mean?

It means to do his current work very well.

So, no running yet, huh?

Nope, just a nice little stroll.

Alright, I'll take it one step at a time.

But once I learn to walk...

Then we can talk about sprinting.

When Sarah says, just a nice little stroll, what does she imply?

She means to take things slowly.

What's the main lesson from Max and Sarah's conversation?

Take your time to learn and don't rush into things.

Hey Max, what's up?

What's up?

Hard? Well, let's see.

Managing people, budgets, deadlines, making tough decisions, handling conflicts.

A lot of responsibilities, you know.

I don't think that's very easy.

Eight months, huh?

That's like being a toddler in a world of grown-ups.

We all want to move up quickly.

But remember, learn to walk before you run.

Look Max, I get it.

You want to climb the ladder, but you've got to build a solid foundation.

Aiming high is great, Max.

But if you skip the basics, you might trip over your own feet.

Seriously, you need to master your current role before you take on more.

You should take things one step at a time.

You're still new and there's a lot to learn.

If you rush into a managerial role without the foundation, you might find it overwhelming.

First, show them you can manage your workload without dropping the ball.

Now you're talking.

Trust me, they'll notice your hard work.

Nope, just a nice little stroll.

Then we can talk about sprinting.

Sarah, I've been thinking.

I really want that management position that just opened up.

I mean, how hard can it be?

Oh come on, I've been here eight months.

I know the ins and outs of the team, and I can totally handle it.

Oh come on, I'm not asking to run a marathon.

I know it's a big step.

But I feel like I've been picking things up quickly.

I know, I know.

But what's the harm in aiming high?

I've got ideas.

I could revolutionize the department.

I guess I hadn't looked at it that way.

But I feel like I'm ready to leap into it.

I get what you mean.

You're right.

Maybe I should focus on nailing my current projects first.

So, no running yet, huh?

Alright, I'll take it one step at a time.

But once I learn to walk...

Cheers to that!

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