Ten Meters of Thinking: The ABC of Communication
CECR: B2
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⚡ Learning goals
- Understand the ABC path: act, reflect, and consult to improve communication.
- Explain how relationships and cooperation create value beyond individual effort.
- Use zero conditionals and modal verbs to give clear cause–effect statements and advice.
✨ Key language
- start with action “Start with action before you communicate.”
- quality of our relationships “The quality of our relationships defines what we deliver.”
- act, reflect, consult “We act, reflect, and consult to learn by doing.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Zero conditional for general truths
Rule: Use the zero conditional (if + present simple, present simple) to express facts that are always true in your context.Examples: If action is clear, communication becomes stronger.; If teams cooperate, they create more value.; If we reflect, we understand our actions better.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often mix zero and first conditional. Use the zero conditional only when the result is generally true, not just possible in the future. — For future possibilities, use will in the main clause instead.
Choose the best zero conditional sentence.
Tip: For general truths, both clauses stay in the present simple.
Fill with the best answer: If communication is honest, it ______ trust.
Tip: Use the present simple in the result clause of a zero conditional.
2️⃣ Modal verbs for advice (should / need to)
Rule: Use should and need to to give strong but polite advice in professional communication.Examples: You should start with action, not data.; We need to involve others before we decide.; You should reflect before you speak in public.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use must when they only want to give advice. — Use should when you want to sound helpful, not authoritarian.
Which modal best completes the sentence? You ______ consult your team before a big decision.
Tip: Use this modal for polite, strong recommendations.
Fill with the best answer: We ______ look at the whole system, not just one part.
Tip: Use a two-word modal that expresses obligation in a natural way.
3️⃣ Present simple for principles and paths
Rule: Use the present simple to describe principles, paths, and processes that are generally true.Examples: Success is a path, not a point.; The ABC model connects action, belief, and communication.; Dynamic knowledge focuses on context, not isolated parts.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use continuous forms for fixed ideas. — Use the present simple when you describe stable concepts and principles.
Which sentence correctly uses the present simple to express a principle?
Tip: Use the present simple for general truths about success and communication.
Fill with the best answer: The ABC model ______ action, belief, and communication.
Tip: Use the present simple to describe what the model does.
4️⃣ Gerunds as subjects and objects
Rule: Use the -ing form (gerund) as a subject or object to describe activities in a compact way.Examples: Learning by doing creates deeper understanding.; Reflecting after action helps us grow.; Consulting others before deciding reduces blind spots.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use the infinitive where the gerund sounds more natural. — After prepositions and as a subject, prefer the -ing form.
Which sentence uses a gerund correctly as the subject?
Tip: Use the -ing form when the activity itself is the subject of the verb.
Fill with the best answer: We reduce blind spots by ______ others.
Tip: After a preposition, use a gerund (-ing form).
✍️ Vocabulary
tipping point
Meaning: a critical moment when small changes create a big visible change.Synonyms: turning point, critical moment, breakthrough
Chunk/Idiom: reach a tipping point
Example: The project reached a tipping point when the team finally aligned.
Morphology: noun phrase; countable noun + noun
Self-practice: Write two situations in your life that reached a tipping point.
authentic passion
Meaning: a deep, honest enthusiasm that feels real, not performed.Synonyms: true enthusiasm, genuine interest, real commitment
Chunk/Idiom: speak with authentic passion
Example: She spoke with authentic passion about changing education.
Morphology: adjective + noun; authentic (adj.) + passion (noun)
Self-practice: Describe one topic where you feel authentic passion.
relationship
Meaning: the way people or groups are connected and interact over time.Synonyms: connection, association, bond
Chunk/Idiom: build stronger relationships
Example: Honest feedback helps you build stronger relationships at work.
Morphology: noun; relate (verb) + -ship (suffix)
Self-practice: Write three ways to improve a key relationship in your life.
communication
Meaning: the process of sharing ideas, feelings, or information with others.Synonyms: interaction, dialogue, exchange
Chunk/Idiom: effective communication
Example: Effective communication turns complex ideas into clear stories.
Morphology: noun; communicate (verb) + -ion (suffix)
Self-practice: Note one habit that improves your communication every day.
fear
Meaning: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something is dangerous or hard.Synonyms: anxiety, worry, terror
Chunk/Idiom: move beyond fear
Example: Moving beyond fear of speaking lets your message reach people.
Morphology: noun and verb; fearful (adj.), fearless (adj.)
Self-practice: Write one fear about speaking and one action to reduce it.
trust
Meaning: a strong belief that someone or something is honest and reliable.Synonyms: confidence, faith, reliance
Chunk/Idiom: build trust with others
Example: Consistent actions and clear messages build trust with others.
Morphology: noun and verb; trustworthy (adj.), trusting (adj.)
Self-practice: List three behaviours that build trust in your team.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Success is a path, not a fixed point.
Start with action, then shape the communication around it.
Strong relationships create value that one person alone cannot.
Act, reflect, and consult to learn from every experience.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
In the talk, success is described as a path, not a single point.
Tip: Listen for how the speaker contrasts a point and a path.
Which modal best gives advice here? You ______ reflect after each important action.
Tip: Choose the modal that sounds like strong but polite advice.
Fill with the best answer:
The quality of our ______ defines what we deliver.Tip: Think of the connections between people and organisations.
Fill with the best answer:
Before a big decision, we act, reflect, and ______ with others.Tip: Use the verb that means “ask for views and advice”.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which phrase best describes knowledge that stays connected to context?
Tip: Think of the butterfly example and its environment.
In the talk, the idea “1 + 1 = 11” mainly suggests ______.
Tip: Think of what happens when people work together in unity.
Fill with the best answer:
The speaker says that the quality of our ______ shapes what we deliver.Tip: Listen for the key word that appears after “quality of our…”.
Fill with the best answer:
The talk suggests that independent parts should become ______ parts of an organic whole.Tip: Use the adjective that contrasts with “independent”.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Our team keeps repeating the same communication mistakes.B: Maybe we focus only on data and not on action and reflection.
A: So if we act, reflect, and consult more, we can improve our message.
B: Exactly, and our relationships will grow stronger too.
Why this matters:
When your actions, beliefs, and communication are aligned, people feel coherence and trust. This alignment makes your message clearer and your relationships stronger. Over time, it creates a path of success instead of isolated points of performance.Verb & Adjective Pack:
align — Align your words with your actions before you speak.consult — Consult colleagues to see what you might be missing.
reflect — Reflect on each project to capture what you learned.
interdependent — Interdependent teams share responsibility and success.
dynamic — Dynamic communication adapts to context and feedback.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: The way we communicate ______ the beliefs of our audience.
Tip: Use a verb that means “gives form to” or “influences”.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: Start with the story and ignore the action.
Tip: In the ABC model, action comes before the story you tell.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
We act, reflect, and consult to keep learning.
Tip: Focus on the order of the three verbs in the sentence.