Sample chapter from
CareerAbility: Skills You Need to Succeed in the 21st Century
Chapter 1
Speaking up is hard to do:
How Assertive Are You?
Many people find it challenging to express themselves
assertively and confidently without appearing to come on
too strong. But striking the right balance in clearly
communicating your views while listening fairly to
others is a vital skill for developing effective relationships
in the workplace. Evaluate your assertiveness skills by
taking the quiz on the next page.
Quiz: How Assertive Are You?
Select the response that comes closest to describing the way you normally respond.
1. You are passed over for a promotion you really wanted. Do you:
a) March into your manager's office and demand an explanation?
b) Give yourself time to get over your disappointment, then meet with your boss to discuss how you might prepare better for the next opportunity?
c) Say nothing about it?
2. During a meeting, a colleague makes a statement that you know is wrong, although it's nothing too important. Do you:
a) Correct him right then and there?
b) Mention it to him privately after the meeting?
c) Keep it to yourself?
3. Your boss has gotten into the habit of calling you “dear” and it makes you uncomfortable, although you enjoy working with him in every other way. Do you:
a) Sarcastically call him "dear" in return, hoping he'll get the message?
b) Calmly tell him that you would prefer to be called by your name?
c) Let it go because you really like working with him and don't want to rock the boat?
4. You find yourself alone on the elevator with the president of your company, whom you met briefly at an office meeting some months ago. He doesn't appear to recognize you. Do you:
a)Ask him how much truth there is to rumors that there will be layoffs?
b) Re-introduce yourself and remind him of the occasion on which you met him?
c) Feel a little tongue-tied and decide to say nothing?
5. A colleague blows up and starts yelling at you in the middle of the office about something that is not your fault. Do you:
a) Yell back at her and tell her to get her facts straight?
b) Suggest the two of you take your discussion to a private room?
c) Get embarrassed and have trouble thinking of anything to say to her?
6. When you feel angry or upset with someone, are you most likely to:
a) Raise your voice and even yell at the other person?
b) Generally keep a cool head and try to reason things out?
c) Avoid talking with the other person?
7. When someone compliments you, are you likely to:
a) Respond with a humorous comment like, "Shows how much you know"?
b) Say "thank you" and feel proud of yourself?
c) Feel embarrassed and say something like, "It's no big deal."?
Score my quiz.
©2006 by Diane Moore. All rights reserved.