B1 · Module 07 · Class 26 — The Partners Meeting

Vocabulary

systemic — relating to a system as a whole; affecting the whole organisation, not just one person

process failure — a breakdown in a procedure or set of steps, rather than an individual error

protocol — a defined set of steps that must be followed in a given situation

accountability — the obligation to accept responsibility for one's actions and their consequences

constructive — intended to improve a situation rather than criticise for its own sake

action point — a specific task assigned to a named person with a deadline, agreed in a meeting

in writing — formally documented; not just agreed verbally

precedent — a previous action or decision that sets a standard for future cases

embed — to build something permanently into a process or system

sign-off — formal final approval, indicating a document or action is complete

Verb + infinitive

Example

Function

agree + to

Elena agreed to implement a contract review checklist.

Both parties reach the same conclusion

refuse + to

She refused to accept that it was a systemic failure.

Declining to do something

decide + to

Santiago decided to raise the issue directly rather than by email.

Making a choice

promise + to

Elena promised to consult Santiago before signing the next agreement.

Committing to a future action

offer + to

Santiago offered to run the training himself at no additional cost.

Voluntarily proposing to help

Verb + infinitive

Example

Function

manage + to

Despite the time pressure, they managed to agree on all three points.

Succeeding despite difficulty

fail + to

The review process failed to catch Clause 7.3 before signing.

Not achieving something expected

tend + to

Altius tends to prioritise client relationships over internal process.

Describing a habitual pattern

appear + to

Elena appeared to accept the proposal, though she said little.

Giving an impression (formal)

seem + to

The checklist system seemed to be working well by the end of the call.

Giving an impression (informal)

Verb + object + infinitive

Example

Function

ask (sb) + to

Santiago asked Elena to commit to the review process.

A request directed at a specific person

tell (sb) + to

He told Marco to prepare a draft of the training agenda.

An instruction to a specific person

advise (sb) + to

Patricia advised Santiago to document the conversation in writing.

Professional recommendation

encourage (sb) + to

Elena encouraged Santiago to raise process concerns earlier in future.

Supporting someone to take action

expect (sb) + to

Vantage expected Altius to deliver the register before the deadline.

An assumption about another's behaviour

want (sb) + to

Elena wanted Santiago to lead the internal training.

Expressing a preference about another's action

allow (sb) + to

Elena agreed to allow Santiago to run the training session.

Giving permission

Verb

+ Gerund (meaning)

+ Infinitive (meaning)

remember

He remembered signing the document. (He signed it — he recalls the event.)

He remembered to sign the document. (He did not forget to sign it.)

forget

I forgot mentioning the clause. (I mentioned it but forgot I had.)

I forgot to mention the clause. (I did not mention it at all.)

stop

She stopped checking the contract after page ten. (She was checking — she stopped.)

She stopped to check the contract. (She stopped what she was doing in order to check it.)

try

Try adjusting the language — it might work. (Experiment; attempt a solution.)

I tried to adjust the language but couldn't. (Made an effort — with difficulty or failure.)

Phrasal Verbs

stand up to (sb) — to challenge someone with more authority, calmly and directly:  "Santiago stood up to Elena without being confrontational."

back down — to withdraw from a position under pressure:  "Elena initially resisted, but eventually backed down."

work through (sth) — to resolve a problem step by step:  "They worked through the three action points in forty minutes."

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Contract Review Process — Meeting Follow-Up and Action Points

Elena,

Thank you for making time this afternoon. I want to confirm what we agreed

so that we both have a clear record going forward.

We agreed to address the Clause 7.3 gap not as an individual failure but as

a systemic process issue. This is the right framing, and I appreciate you

accepting that distinction.

Three action points:

1. CONTRACT REVIEW CHECKLIST

   You agreed to implement a formal contract review checklist before the next

   engagement agreement is signed. I have offered to draft a first version by

   next Friday. I will ask Marco to review it before it goes to you for sign-off.

2. INTERNAL TRAINING

   You agreed to allow me to run a two-hour process training session with the

   full project team. I am proposing to schedule this for the week after next.

   I will expect everyone to attend — please advise the team to keep that week

   clear.

3. DIRECT CONSULTATION

   You promised to consult me directly before countersigning any agreement

   that involves phase-gate deliverables. I encourage you to treat this as a

   standing protocol, not a one-time adjustment.

I want to be clear: I am not trying to manage upward. I am trying to make

sure we do not repeat an error that could have damaged this engagement.

We managed to protect the relationship with Vantage — this time. We cannot

afford to fail to do so again.

I will follow up on the checklist draft by Friday.

Santiago