Describing People And Their Behavior

In the workplace, we interact with different types of people, each with their own personality traits and working styles. Being able to describe colleagues, managers, and clients accurately helps in communication, teamwork, and professional relationships. Adjectives are an essential part of business English, as they allow us to explain a person’s strengths, weaknesses, and behavior in different situations. In this First Business English article we provide you with some key vocabulary and common adjectives used to describe people with an example conversation to help you get started describing people within you own workplace with confidence.

Key Vocabulary: Adjectives for Describing People in Business

Positive Traits

• Reliable – Someone who can be trusted to do their job well.

• Hardworking – A person who puts in a lot of effort.

• Efficient – Someone who works quickly and effectively.

• Innovative – A person who brings new ideas.

• Ambitious – Someone who wants to succeed and achieve goals.

• Approachable – A manager or colleague who is easy to talk to.

• Diplomatic – Someone who communicates in a tactful and professional way.

• Resilient – A person who stays strong during challenges.

Negative Traits

• Disorganized – Someone who lacks structure in their work.

• Uncooperative – A person who doesn’t work well with others.

• Stubborn – Someone who refuses to change their opinion.

• Impatient – A person who does not like to wait.

• Indecisive – Someone who struggles to make decisions.

• Arrogant – A person who believes they are better than others.

• Inflexible – Someone who is not open to new ideas or changes.

• Passive – A person who does not take initiative.

Common Phrases for Describing People in Business

Describing a Colleague

• “Sarah is very efficient. She always meets deadlines and manages her time well.”

• “Tom is quite ambitious. He always looks for ways to move up in the company.”

• “Jessica is really approachable. You can always ask her for help.”

Describing a Manager

• “Our boss is diplomatic. He handles conflicts in a professional way.”

• “She’s decisive and makes quick, informed decisions.”

• “He’s a bit inflexible when it comes to changing processes.”

Describing a Difficult Situation

• “The new employee is talented, but he can be quite stubborn.”

• “I find it difficult to work with Mark because he’s very disorganized.”

• “She’s resilient—even when she faces challenges, she keeps going.”

Example Conversation About Workplace Behavior

Emma: Have you met our new manager yet?

James: Yes, I have. She seems really competent and decisive. She made some great suggestions in the last meeting.

Emma: That’s good to hear! Our last manager was a bit indecisive, so decision-making took forever.

James: I know what you mean. I also think she’s quite approachable, which is great for communication.

Emma: Yes, that’s important. What about the new team member, Daniel?

James: He’s very hardworking, but he can be a little stubborn when it comes to new ideas.

Emma: Maybe with time, he’ll be more open to feedback.

Final Thoughts

Using the right adjectives to describe people in business helps in effective communication, teamwork, and understanding workplace dynamics. Whether discussing colleagues, managers, or clients, choosing appropriate words ensures clarity and professionalism. Learning to describe people’s strengths and weaknesses helps navigate the business world with confidence. To learn more simply book a lesson with us at First Business English.

Good Luck. Keep learning with First Business English. Best Business English Online.

About First Business English

First Business English is a premium business English language online education center that provides individuals and groups the opportunity to learn Business English that enhances their careers and lives through a structured Business English curriculum. Contact Us