- 一场四人项目会议里，有人直接说「这个项目要往后排」，团队负责人没有强压对方，而是先认同对方的难处，再一步步谈出解决方案——这种「先共情再解决」的协商方式是职场英语的核心技能。
- 说话人始终没有用「你必须」「你应该」这类强硬句式，全程靠委婉的提问和让步来推动分工，学完能听懂真实会议里「软性施压」的语言技巧。
- 对话信息密度高，几个人轮流发言、互相打断又互相让步，练习的是在多人对话里分清「谁在负责什么」。
- 生词不算难，难点在于抓住谁对谁做出了承诺（Barbara 帮 Matteo 分担工作、Matteo 承诺完成设计）。
重点内容
听力原文 / 对话稿
John: Thanks, everyone, for coming to this project meeting. I know we're all working cross-functionally on this project, but so far the key stakeholders are really pleased with how it's going. This project will really benefit our overall value proposition and the company as a whole.
Akiko: Thanks, John. It's an important project. It's good to be collaborating on this together.
Matteo: Yes, it's important, but we're all so busy with our regular jobs. It'll be difficult to fit things in.
John: It's OK, Matteo. We'll work it out. I know that you all have a lot on at the moment, combining this project with your regular jobs.
Barbara: So, what do we need to do, and by when?
John: Good questions, Barbara. We have a number of key deliverables to discuss so it's essential we're all in agreement about roles and responsibilities and also the timelines we're working to.
John: So, the first thing we need to do is design the customer survey questionnaire. In my experience, this is best done through an online survey tool.
Matteo: So will you do that, John?
John: I'd love to but I'm already tied up managing this project, and my line manager, Kate, has agreed that I should focus on the timelines, reporting and financial management. I'd like Akiko to lead on the questionnaire. You learned about this on your marketing and PR course, didn't you?
Akiko: Yeah, happy to take it on.
John: Thanks, Akiko. Next thing is we need the new designs finalised. Matteo, you said you could do this in a couple of weeks, right?
Matteo: Yeah, I know, but that was last month, and then nothing happened. I'm overloaded at the moment and my line manager won't be happy if I don't hit my targets. Sorry, but this project has to take lower priority. [语气委婉但态度坚定地拒绝，用 "sorry, but" 缓冲]
John: Hmm. I see. I can understand the challenge you're facing. I've been in that situation before. So, what can we do to help you hit those targets and free up some time?
Matteo: That's a good question. If I could get a slight reduction in my targets, I could use the extra time that would create to finish the designs for this project.
John: OK. We might not be able to get your targets reduced, but I'll see what we can do.
Barbara: How about if I support Matteo there? I know his job well and I have some capacity at the moment. I can help him meet his targets so he can free up some time to finish the designs for this project.
Matteo: Could you, Barbara?
John: Hmm. I'm not sure if it's fair to ask Barbara to be supporting Matteo in his regular job so he can work on this project.
Barbara: It's up to you, but I'm happy to support Matteo with his regular work, just for a couple of weeks so he can create the designs. He's the only one with the expertise.
John: Yeah, you're right. OK, thanks a lot, Barbara. I appreciate it. Matteo, would that work for you?
Matteo: Yes, that would work. Thanks. OK, you've made it easy for me to say yes. [用幽默化解自己之前的拒绝，语气软化]
John: OK, then that's settled. Thanks, both. I really appreciate your help in this. So, can you get them done by the end of the month?
Matteo: Yes, that should be no problem.
英文原文之后，附上对应的中文翻译：
John：谢谢大家来开这个项目会议。我知道我们都在跨部门支援这个项目，但目前主要相关方对进展都很满意。这个项目会实实在在提升我们整体的价值主张，对公司整体也有好处。 Akiko：谢谢，John，这个项目很重要，能一起合作真好。 Matteo：是很重要，但我们大家本职工作都很忙，很难挤出时间。 John：没事，Matteo，我们会想办法解决。我知道大家现在要兼顾这个项目和本职工作，压力都不小。 Barbara：那我们具体要做什么，什么时候要完成？ John：问得好，Barbara。我们有几个关键交付项要讨论，所以大家在角色分工和时间安排上达成一致非常重要。 John：第一件事是设计客户调查问卷。按我的经验，这个最好用在线问卷工具来做。 Matteo：那这个你来做吗，John？ John：我很想做，但我已经忙于管理整个项目了，我的直属主管 Kate 也同意我应该专注在时间安排、汇报和财务管理上。我想请 Akiko 来负责问卷这部分，你在市场和公关课程上学过这个，对吧？ Akiko：对，我很乐意接手。 John：谢谢 Akiko。接下来是新设计要定稿。Matteo，你说过两周就能弄好，对吧？ Matteo：是啊，我知道，但那是上个月说的，后来什么都没做。我现在工作量已经超负荷了，如果完不成本职工作的指标，我的主管会不高兴。抱歉，这个项目只能先往后排。 John：嗯，我明白，我理解你面对的难处，我以前也遇到过这种情况。那我们能做什么来帮你完成指标、腾出一点时间？ Matteo：这个问题问得好。如果我的指标能稍微降低一点，多出来的时间我就可以用来完成这个项目的设计。 John：好，我们可能没办法帮你降低指标，但我会看看能做些什么。 Barbara：不如我来分担一下 Matteo 那边的工作？我很熟悉他的工作内容，现在也有一点余力，我可以帮他完成指标，这样他就能腾出时间做这个项目的设计。 Matteo：你可以吗，Barbara？ John：嗯，我不太确定为了让 Matteo 做这个项目，让 Barbara 分担他本职工作是否公平。 Barbara：这由你决定，但我很乐意帮 Matteo 分担一下本职工作，就几个星期，让他能把设计做出来，毕竟只有他有这方面的专业能力。 John：对，你说得对。好，非常谢谢你，Barbara，我很感激。Matteo，这样安排你可以吗？ Matteo：可以，这样可以。谢谢，你们这样一说，我就没理由拒绝了。 John：好，那就这么定了。谢谢你们两个，真的很感激。那这个月底之前能完成吗？ Matteo：可以，这个没问题。
关键句 & 生词
| 英文 | 中文 |
|---|---|
| cross-functionally | 跨部门、跨职能地 |
| stakeholder | 利益相关方 |
| value proposition | 价值主张 |
| deliverable | 交付项、交付成果 |
| timeline | 时间安排、进度表 |
| take lower priority | 优先级往后排 |
| hit a target | 达成指标 |
| free up (time) | 腾出（时间） |
| capacity | （可用的）精力、余力 |
| fair | 公平的 |
| settle sth | 把某事定下来 |
| appreciate | 感激、感谢 |
听力技巧
- 追踪多人会议里「谁承诺了什么」：John 分配任务、Matteo 先拒绝后又接受、Barbara 主动补位，这三条线交织在一起，听的时候要在心里给每个人建一条「任务清单」。
- 练习听懂委婉的拒绝和让步——Matteo 的 "Sorry, but this project has to take lower priority" 和后面的松口，中间没有生词障碍，难点全在语气和立场的转变。
- 会议英语里大量用疑问句代替命令句（"So, what can we do to help you..."）来推动决策，留意这种「用问题代替指令」的说法。
Sources
Blog / Website：