Just as everyone's personality is different, ways of dealing with various office situations vary from person to person. Answer the following questions as honestly as possible, thinking only about how you behave in the situations described, not how you think you should behave.
WHEN AN ELEVATOR IS CROWDED I,
(a) shove my way in
(b) shove my way in only if I'm in a huge hurry
(c) step back and wait for the next elevator, worrying about the time I'm wasting.
WHEN I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO SAY IN A MEETING I,
(a) speak up freely
(b) raise my hand and request permission to speak
(c) speak only when spoken to or else keep my opinions to myself.
WHEN I ENCOUNTER A CONVERSATION AMONG MY PEERS IN THE HALLWAY I,
(a) jump in regardless of the topic
(b) stop and listen from the perimeter
(c) don't stop to listen.
WHEN I WALK PAST MY BOSS'S OFFICE I,
(a) make it a point to say hello
(b) wave only if he waves first
(c) avoid meeting my boss's eyes.
WHEN MY BOSS STOPS BY MY WORKSPACE I,
(a) greet him warmly and immediately engage in work talk
(b) say, "Yes?" (i.e., "What are you here for?") and answer only the specific questions he asks
(c) duck out of my cubicle and hide in the restroom.
WHEN A SUBORDINATE WANTS ME TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO HER I,
(a) seize the opportunity to hold a mini-seminar and make it a quality teaching moment
(b) give her the best information I have or suggest who else might know
(c) duct out of my office and hide around the corner until the coast is clear.
WHEN MY BOSS WANTS ME TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED I,
(a) seize the opportunity to pitch new ideas and recount my latest triumphs
(b) give my boss a brief but thorough answer or suggest who else might know
(c) call in sick.
WHEN SOMEONE AT WORK STEALS MY IDEAS AND PRESENTS THEM AS HER OWN, I
(a) confront the person and let the boss know that the ideas originated with me
(b) determine whether or not my coworker's plagiarism is costing me anything and make a plan to get some recognition if it's important enough
(c) roll over, forget that idea, and hope my boss comes in and asks me directly for my ideas next time.
WHEN SOMEONE AT WORK IRRITATES ME BY HARASSING ME AND ORDERING ME AROUND, I,
(a) get in his face and put an end to the behavior
(b) find a credible reason for doing all or some of what he is demanding so I won't feel like a doormat
(c) do what I'm told because I don't want to risk a confrontation.
WHEN SOMEONE AT WORK HANGS AROUND MY WORKSPACE AND FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING THE RESTROOM, I,
(a) tell that person to get out of my space and threaten consequences if she doesn't
(b) accommodate the person up to a point and then excuse myself to work
(c) take the person under my wing and give her the time and attention she wants, even if my own work suffers.
SCORING:
2 POINTS - for every A answer
1 POINT - for every B answer
0 POINT - for every C answer
ANALYSIS:
15 - 20
Assertive type. You deal with matters assertively and with confidence and expect to be effective. You are often the leader of your work team, softball team, or ad hoc committee.
8 - 14
Collaborative type. You are less aggressive but take your responsibilities seriously. You serve as the group leader, but you seek the involvement of others.
1 - 7
Passive type. You'd really rather not deal with anyone unless you have to. You do not like being asked to do anything outside of your comfront zone. Rather than leading, you prefer to be out of the line of fire, where you can het your work done.