Vocabulary
6 key words for this lesson
DELEGATE
To assign work or responsibility to someone else.
Effective leaders delegate routine tasks.
AUTHORITY
The power or right to make decisions.
You'll have full authority over the budget.
AUTONOMY
The freedom to make your own decisions.
Senior staff appreciate autonomy.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Responsibility for actions and results.
Delegation includes accountability for the outcome.
MICROMANAGE
To control every small detail of someone's work.
Nobody likes a boss who micromanages.
CHECKPOINT
An agreed moment to review progress.
Let's set a checkpoint for next Wednesday.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
I'd like you to take the lead on this project.
Assign responsibility and show confidence.
"Maria, I'd like you to take the lead on the Lisbon launch."
I trust your judgement on this.
Express trust and give autonomy.
"You know the market better than I do. I trust your judgement on this."
You'll have full authority to make decisions on…
Delegate decision-making power clearly.
"You'll have full authority to make decisions on suppliers under 10,000 euros."
Please prioritize these tasks based on…
Give structure and clear expectations.
"Please prioritize these tasks based on client impact."
Let's agree on the timeline and key goals.
Ensure shared understanding.
"Before you start, let's agree on the timeline and key goals."
HAND OVER
To give responsibility for something to someone else.
I'll hand over the client account to you on Monday.
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“Be explicit about the LIMITS of authority ("up to 10,000 euros") — vague delegation leads to either paralysis or overreach.”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Kira
MariaMaria, I'd like you to take the lead on the partner conference this year.
Wow, thank you! That's a big responsibility. What exactly would I be in charge of?
Everything — venue, speakers, programme. You'll have full authority to make decisions on spending up to 30,000 euros. Above that, just check with me.
Clear. How often should I update you?
I don't want to micromanage. Let's set a checkpoint every two weeks. Otherwise, you have complete autonomy.
What should I prioritize first?
Please prioritize the venue — good ones book up fast. Let's agree on the key goals: 200 attendees, under budget, and a 90% satisfaction score.
Got it. I'll take full accountability.
I trust your judgement. I'll hand over last year's files tomorrow.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
I'd like you to take the— — —on this project.
Sentence 2
I trust your— — —on this.
Sentence 3
You'll have full— — —to make decisions.
Sentence 4
Let's agree on the— — —and key goals.
Sentence 5
I'll hand— — —the account to you on Monday.
Sentence 6
I don't want to— — —you.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Why define the limits of authority clearly?
2.What does "micromanage" mean?
3.What is "autonomy"?
4.In the dialogue, what is Maria's spending limit without checking?
5.How often are the checkpoints?