英语四级必读的美文003：领导靠幽默与魅力发迹_大学英语阅读

英语四级必读的美文003：领导靠幽默与魅力发迹

　　I am sure foreigners must think our levity is baffling. My defence is that Brits subscribe to Horaces view: A jest often decides matters of importance more effectively and happily than seriousness.

　　外国人肯定认为我们的轻浮举止不可理喻。要让我说，我们英国人是赞同贺拉斯的观点：遇到大事，比起一本正经的态度，开开玩笑固能够更有效、也更开心地解决问题。

　　Some years ago, a partner of mine practised what I called management by laughter . He motivated and inspired by making the atmosphere at work fun, rather than the bullying and intimidation common in many workplaces.

　　几年前，我的一位合伙人实行我所说的欢笑管理。他鼓舞和激励士气的方法，是营造充满乐趣的工作氛围，不同于许多工作场所常见的威逼和胁迫的氛围。

　　But the 21st-century office can be a minefield for the amateur who enjoys a giggle. I was recently warned about a trap being sprung by a professional gang from eastern Europe. They plant an attractive female staff member in an organisation. At roughly the same time, a male co-conspirator also gets a job; the connection between them is unknown to the employer. After a little while, he sends a series of highly suggestive internet jokes to the pretty female. She complains of harassment and threatens to bring an embarrassing employment tribunal involving sexual discrimination-and, once she reveals that she has hired expert legal advisers and PR agents, the victim business settles quickly.