What kind of
Situation
1. You’re finding it difficult
to start a project. You
say to a colleague:
2. A colleague hears you
handling an awkward
situation. Afterwards
she praises the way you
handled it. You say:
3. Your boss asks you for a
lift home. It’s
inconvenient for you as
you are late already and
it would take you out of
your way. You say:
4. Your boss asks what
went wrong with a lost
order from a customer.
You say:
5. A proposal has been
made to install a new
piece of equipment,
which you don’t think is
right for the job. You
say:
6. A colleague has
produced a work plan
for his department.
You’d like his help with
one for your
department. You say:
7. A colleague agreed to
come to a meeting but
failed to turn up.
Afterwards, you ring him
and say:
8. You sat in on a
presentation given by
one of your staff. You
feel it was highly
successful. You say:
9. The date is being fixed
for a meeting; it is
convenient for
Response Assertive Response
Response?
I’m pretty useless at getting passive I would like to hear your
going. I can never see how thoughts
to start.
Well, I’ve dealt with that sort passive Thank you
of thing before – I didn’t
really do anything.
Assertive I’m late already, and I have
I’m late already, and I have an engagement tonight. But
an engagement tonight. I if it helps I can drop you off
won’t be able to take you at a bus stop
home, but if it helps I can
drop you off at a bus stop
The stupid man doesn’t Aggressive We need to position the
know what he wants. I told product properly
him what he should have,
but he wouldn’t listen,
It might be alright, I suppose, Passive
if that’s what you think is aggressive
best.
I like the work plan you Assertive
produced. I think my
department could benefit
from a similar approach.
Will you spend half an hour
with me, so that I can see
how you developed it?
George, I understood you Assertive
were coming to the meeting.
I would have liked to have
had your contribution. What
happened?
My goodness, that was good. Passive
I could never have put it over
so well.
'Well alright, as it seems Passive
to be OK for everyone
else.'
 everyone except you.
10. A member of your 'I hope you don't think I'm Passive
team has asked for being mean, but the
time off to visit a sick Process Manager won't
relative at a time like you taking time off at
when the department the moment. I'm very
is particularly busy. sorry.'
11. Your boss asks you to 'I'm really busy this week Aggressive
attend a meeting. The with schedules. I don't
last time you went it think I'll have time to go.'
wasn't relevant to your
department so you
don't want to go.
12. Your boss has sent out 'I'm not happy with the Slightly
a memo saying that new arrangement. The Aggressive
no customer visits are way I see it, it takes away
to be made without my professional
his agreement. judgement. I'd like to
discuss this with you.'