Notice the effect of an attempt to win favor
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
At an imaginary design studio, Cam tried to ingratiate himself with the new team leader by praising every suggestion she made. He began to belittle a colleague's alternative sketches, calling them little doodles even when they addressed a real design problem. The remarks threatened to alienate people whose cooperation he would need later. The leader asked Cam to discuss the sketches on their merits, making clear that an attempt to gain personal favor did not help the team if it diminished other members' contributions.
A considerate gesture need not be an attempt to ingratiate oneself, but Cam's selective flattery was plainly aimed at winning the leader's approval. His choice to belittle the colleague's work made it seem less valuable without examining its useful features. Such treatment could alienate the colleague by making her feel unwelcome and less sympathetic to the group. When Cam replaced the dismissive labels with specific questions, the discussion began to recover a practical focus and others could contribute without first defending their right to be heard.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.