Read the work situation below and choose the statements that are LEAST EFFECTIVE and MOST EFFECTIVE to you.Work Situation:Pat is one of the more productive workers in the Information Technology department. He is organized, works hard, and is bright. He also has a reputation in the department for not being very social and does not interact much with other employees. Today in the break room, Jacob sees Pat sitting by himself drinking coffee. If you were Jacob, which responses would be the most effective and least effective?Choose OneLEAST EFFECTIVEStatement Choose OneMOST EFFECTIVEInvite Pat over to the table where you usually sit with some other employees from your unit. Suggest to Pat that you both move to a table with some of his coworkers from Information Technology. Ask Pat if he would mind if you sat with him for lunch and then pull up a chair if he says it is okay. Smile and nod at Pat as you walk to your usual table, as you don’t want to make him uncomfortable; if he wanted company he wouldn’t sit alone. BackNext

Read the work situation below and choose the statements that are LEAST EFFECTIVE and MOST EFFECTIVE to you.Work Situation:Jamie is the manager of 9 front-line supervisors. He is aware that some problems have begun to surface among the supervisors. He has decided to bring the supervisors together and try to get things out in the open. Not long after the meeting starts, a number of disagreements emerged among the supervisors and the mood became argumentative. If you were Jamie, which responses would be the most effective and least effective?Choose OneLEAST EFFECTIVEStatement Choose OneMOST EFFECTIVEBring the meeting to a close quickly before things can get more out of hand. Keep the meeting going but be ready to shut it down if things get too hostile. Let whatever happens happen; sometimes conflict is needed to resolve difficult issues. Remind the supervisors that the goal of the meeting is to work through the conflicts and hope the atmosphere improves. BackNext

Read the work situation below and choose the statements that are LEAST EFFECTIVE and MOST EFFECTIVE to you.Work Situation:James has been in his management position for many years and is comfortable there. Recently, the CEO has been applying pressure on James to get his department to become more computer literate, something that has pushed his comfort level.The CEO assigned a computer expert named Randal to James’ unit to help with training. Since coming on board, Randal has been aggressive in making recommendations for technology advancement. Yesterday, James overheard Randal make a demeaning comment to one of his employees that asserted James had not learned much so far and may not be capable of managing the unit anymore. If you were James, which responses would be the most effective and least effective?Choose OneLEAST EFFECTIVEStatement Choose OneMOST EFFECTIVEFace up to Randal about his comments since any more are likely to erode the morale of your unit. Try to be more proactive in learning the programs that Randal has recommended. Speak with the CEO and ask if you can get a different computer expert on your team. Don’t worry about the comment and ask Randal how you can better improve your computer knowledge.

List two best practices for effective communication.

Read the work situation below and choose the statements that are LEAST EFFECTIVE and MOST EFFECTIVE to you.Work Situation:Ayanna has worked for the same company for 15 years, when it was acquired by a multi-national corporation. Ayanna is very anxious about her own future in the new company, as there have been rumors flying around for weeks about possible layoffs. She is having a meeting this morning with the new executives of the company. This is her first meeting with them since the acquisition was announced. If you were Ayanna, which responses would be the most effective and least effective?Choose OneLEAST EFFECTIVEStatement Choose OneMOST EFFECTIVEListen to what the executives have to say but be wary about a possible job loss and look for other indications of an upcoming downsizing. Start looking for another job now as you may be let go at any time and better opportunities might be available anyway. Let them know how excited you are about the new acquisition; this is a great opportunity for the company. Be prepared to explain your record with the company; they can’t let you go if they see your value. BackNext

Read the work situation below and choose the statements that are LEAST EFFECTIVE and MOST EFFECTIVE to you.Work Situation:Laura is a project manager and is having a meeting with Mikal. Laura is concerned about the lack of progress on a key project that Mikal has been working on. Mikal is confused because he believes the project is progressing as expected. In fact, Mikal has put a lot of extra time and effort into the project because he wants to make a good impression; getting a favorable performance review is important to him.He has attempted to include Laura in every step of the project in order to make sure the project is on track. Laura is a bit irritated because Mikal is constantly coming to her with questions. Laura and Mikal are both becoming frustrated at the meeting. If you were Laura, which responses would be the most effective and least effective?Choose OneLEAST EFFECTIVEStatement Choose OneMOST EFFECTIVEAsk Mikal what his expectations are for the project and for you as his manager. Ask another manager to sit in on the meeting as a mediator and to objectively evaluate where the project is at. Conclude the meeting and reschedule it for a later date when you are more level headed. Get Mikal’s perspective about the challenges of the project but make your expectations clear for the next project. BackNext