What we would like to know is, are you assertive enough at the workplace?
How good are you at handling your boss?
Do you prefer to keep your opinions to yourself and obey orders blindly, or like to handle your superiors with firmness and tact?
Take this quiz to find out!
This quiz is best viewed in Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape above version 6.0.
1. You have a strange problem. You never get credit for your work. Your boss does. In fact he just announced that a recent project was single-handedly helmed by him. You: a) Oh-so-smoothly go up to your boss and mention that it was your idea anyway. b) Make a firm resolve. You will make sure you declare your ideas formally in future. c) Storm over to your boss's office and state that you would like your name to be mentioned.
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Make a firm resolve. You will make sure you declare your ideas formally in future. The good news is, imitation is the best form of flattery! Your boss does like your ideas. Yes, of course, you'd feel down if your ideas were snatched from you. But, hey, do make sure you do not confront your boss with accusations or declarations. First, calm down. Take a deep breath. Approach your boss with tact and firmness.
Right! The good news is, imitation is the best form of flattery! Your boss does like your ideas. Yes, of course, you'd feel down if your ideas were snatched from you. But, hey, not confronting your boss with accusations or declarations is a good tactic. It is wise to calm down. Take a deep breath. And approach your boss with tact and firmness.
2. If there is one thing you can count on about your boss, it is that he always overreacts. He doesn't think twice before letting go at you in front of your coworkers. And, most times, it isn't even your fault. You: a) Believe in tit for tat. Stand your ground, and yell right back at your boss. b) Take a deep breath. Take off for a small walk and go for a coffee at the cafetaria to calm down. c) Lie low for a bit. Then you schedule an appointment with your boss to talk it out.
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Lie low for a bit. Then you schedule an appointment to talk about this issue.. Calming yourself down is a good strategy. As long as you do something about it later. Else, you are just left feeling with a feeling of incompleteness and unhappiness. Letting off steam is also not a good strategy. You need to confront your boss, but that's when everyone is in a state of mind to talk rationally! Let your boss know how you feel when he speaks to you like that. Be firm. Be tactful.
Right! Calming yourself down is a good strategy. As long as you do something about it later. Else, you are just left feeling with a feeling of incompleteness and unhappiness. Letting off steam is also not a good strategy. You need to confront your boss, but that's when everyone is in a state of mind to talk rationally! Let your boss know how you feel when he speaks to you like that. Be firm. Be tactful.
3. You have just been give a note from your boss. You just have to stay late every night for the next month. Now, you'd love to do it, but other constraints stop you from doing so. You: a) You schedule a talk with your boss, specifying the days you can stay late. b) Make all the arrangements at home such that they don't feel neglected, and promise yourself this is the last time. c) Dash off an e-mail to your boss saying you just cannot make this and explain why you cannot do it.
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is: You schedule a talk with your boss, specifying the days you can stay late. Remember: You do have a life outside work. It is perfectly alright. Strike a balance in your life. Don't just agree with your boss blindly. Or don't rush to explain every little constraint you have. Just be rational and explicit. Let your boss know that you do understand the importance of staying late and working hard occasionally.
Right! You do recognise that you do have a life outside of your work. And that is perfectly alright. Strike a balance in your life. Don't just agree with your boss blindly. Or don't rush to explain every little constraint you have. Just be rational and explicit. Let your boss know that you do understand the importance of staying late and working hard occasionally.
4. Your boss makes personal demands on you constantly. You have just been asked to make coffee for him and go pick up his child from school. You: a) Be direct. Say politely, "I am sorry, but I can't." You don't explain why; you don't even need to. b) Say it is not your job. Besides, you have a couple of projects you need to complete. c) Do it willingly. Besides, it is a great way to get out of office!
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is: Be direct. Say politely, "I am sorry, but I can't." You don't explain why; you don't even need to. You are not expected to run your boss's personal errands. Unless, of course, your job description specifies it! Deal with it with tact, though. Being blunt may not work in your favour. If a simple no won't do, explain politely that you have a lot of work and also that you are not comfortable with these requests. It helps to set boundaries, so that everyone is clear.
Right! You are not expected to run your boss's personal errands. Unless, of course, your job description specifies it! Deal with it with tact, though. Being blunt may not work in your favour. If a simple no won't do, explain politely that you have a lot of work and also that you are not comfortable with these requests. It helps to set boundaries, so that everyone is clear.
5. Your boss never misses a chance to make sexist remarks. He believes that women can never be as clever as men. You: a) Counter each of his anti-woman remarks with an anti-man remark of your own. b) Decide to let him know that these jokes make you very uncomfortable. c) Register a complaint with the human resources department. This is harassment!
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is: Decide to let him know that these jokes make you very uncomfortable. Sure, it is knee-jerk to register a complaint with HR, but try going soft first. It helps if he knows how you feel about his comments at the workplace. Be very clear about what bothers you. Also, retorting with your own jokes may give you a momentary high, but it still won't stop your boss. If it does get worse, you could consider going to HR.
Right! It might be knee-jerk to register a complaint with HR, but going soft first is definitely a better approach. It helps if he knows how you feel about his comments at the workplace. Be very clear about what bothers you. Also, retorting with your own jokes may give you a momentary high, but it still won't stop your boss. If it does get worse, you could consider going to HR.