The company's attempt to ______ costs by reducing staff initially seemed effective, but it soon began to ______ productivity, eventually ______ employee morale and creating long-term ______.

While feedback is intended to ______ performance, when delivered insensitively it can ______ confidence, thereby ______ motivation and leaving the recipient feeling unfairly ______.

Everyday more than 1 billion promotional messages are sent that are commercial and __________. Although __________ have used more technology to stop this, __________ find ways around it.

One day, a crane told him about a nearby marsh with a ….…… of food and water. It urged, "Come now, or you will miss your chance."

While other animals rushed to ….…… distant places for food, he kept postponing his efforts. He was a lazy animal.

But the tortoise delayed again, unable to ….…… his laziness. By the time he finally set out, he was too late to reach the marsh.

The tortoise was known for his ….…… habits.