In Class Exercise 5: Effectiveness

How effective am I? - Self-evaluation questionnaire

Tick the response which best represents how you would react to each situation, not what you
consider to be the correct response.
Scenario 1
Because you had agreed to organize the raffle for a community event for the past three years, it is
assumed, by the committee, that you will run it again this year. You had intended to hand over
this duty, so are very annoyed when you see the minutes stating that you will again be
responsible. What would you do?
Option 1. Accept things as they are, vowing that you will definitely not arrange the raffle
in future years.
Option 2. Telephone the chair of the committee, expressing your feelings about not being
consulted, and explaining why you will not be organizing the raffle this year.
Option 3. Wait until the next meeting, then give the committee a piece of your mind,
letting them know exactly how you feel about being taken for granted, and refusing to
run the raffle again.

Scenario 2
You have been stuck in a traffic jam for ages. The cars ahead of you start to move away; you put
your car in gear and the engine stalls. You turn the ignition key and the engine turns over, but
refuses to fire. The driver behind begins to blow his horn. What would you do?
Option 1. Get out of your car and walk back to the driver to say something like "May I
suggest that I sit in your car blowing the horn, while you go and see if you can get my
car started!"
Option 2. Acknowledge the other driver with a wave of the hand, switch on the hazard
warning lights, and open the bonnet to let others know you have engine failure.
Option 3. Ignore the other drivers, keep your head down, and keep trying to start your
engine.

Scenario 3
You are out walking your dog when you see a group of young boys in an between houses using
spray paint to 'adorn' a wall with graffiti. What would you do? alley

Option 1. Think to yourself 'It's none of my business', and walk on.

Option 2. Go up to the boys and say 'You are vandalizing someone else's property. I'd
like you to stop it at once, and clean you've made.' up the mess
Option 3. Shout out 'Stop that!' Then go and investigate.
Scenario 4
You work in the leisure industry. It is peak season, and the firm is short- staffed because of
illness. You had agreed to work an extra day for the last two weeks, but have prior commitments
this week. Your boss says to you 'I know this is asking a lot, but the situation with staffing is
even worse this week. Will you look after the information desk again this Saturday please?"
What would you be most likely to say?
Option 1. 'As you know, I've been more than willing to help out in the past, and I know
you've got staffing problems at the moment. I feel awful letting you down, but I've got
something planned this weekend.'

Option 2. 'No, I can't. Try Sally, she might help out."

Option 3. "Sorry, I've got prior commitments this weekend, so no, I won't be able to
work on Saturday.'

Scenario 5
You and a friend are out shopping. She has to return a faulty item to a shop, so she goes to sort
out a refund while you look around another department. As she is a long time, you go to check
on her progress. She is in a heated discussion with the person behind the desk, but seems to be in
control of the situation. What would you do?

Option 1. Go to see if you can offer your friend some support to bring the situation to a
favorable conclusion.

Option 2. Leave them to sort it out.

Option 3. Intervene, telling the shop assistant that if he doesn't give an immediate refund,
you will call the manager.

Scenario 6
The firm you work for is in financial difficulties, and there have been rumors of redundancies.
Morale is low, and your boss, in particular, is obviously stressed. He has been moody and short
tempered recently although normally he is a fair and reasonable man. Today he criticizes you
unjustly, but loudly and at length - for a minor error made by one of your staff. What would be
your most likely response!

Option 1. 'In the circumstances, I'll ignore your remarks! You're obviously not yourself
today!"

Option 2. 'You're right; that shouldn't have happened. I'll see to it right away."
 Option 3. 'I'm sorry, those items should have been checked. However, you're wrong to
say that I'm careless. My standards and those of my team are high. Mistakes sometime
happen.'

Scenario 7
When you can spare the time, you visit an elderly, housebound neighbor. Because she has so few
visitors, she tends to use delaying tactics to keep you in the house for as long as possible. You
have to allow for this in deciding how long you can stay! Today, you really are in a dash, but call
in to check that she. is OK. You tell her you are in a hurry and can't stay, but she still keeps you
for a chat; then at the front door she says 'Oh I forgot. The light bulb has blown in my bathroom.
Could you just put in a new one for me before you go?" What would you do?
Option 1. Say 'Of course. Show me where you keep your spare bulbs, and I'll do that for
you. Then I really must go."

Option 2. Suggest that she keeps the bathroom door open and use the light cast from the
landing until you've got time to change the bulb for her.
Option 3. Say firmly, 'No. As I explained, I've got to go now. I'll change the bulb for you
when I've got more time - this evening perhaps.

Scenario 8
Money is tight, so you have decided to confine donating to those charities you feel most worthy.
This is fine in principle, until the doorbell rings and on the doorstep is a collector for a charity
you have decided not to support. What would you do?
Option 1. Decide to have baked beans instead of a chop, and give the usual amount.

Option 2. Explain that you have to restrict your support to just one or two favorite
charities, so reluctantly can't give a donation at this time.
Option 3. Grudgingly give a few pence just to get rid of the collector, ensuring that you
collect a stick-on badge to wear so that you won't be pestered again.

Scenario 9
You and a friend are travelling home from an evening at the theatre. There is just one other
person in the underground carriage. At the next stop a group of youths, rather noisy and drinking
from lager cans, get into your carriage. One of them gets out a packet of cigarettes, and is
fumbling around in his jacket pocket - presumably for a lighter. What do you do?
Option 1. Glower at the group and say loudly to your friend 'I hope he isn't going to start
smoking in here!'
Option 2. Ignore the situation - try to ignore the group of youths all together - and
 continue with your private conversation.

Option 3. Smile at the potential offender, and remind him politely but firmly of the No
Smoking rules on the London Underground.

Scenario 10
It is the middle of the night. You are woken by the sound of a woman screaming for help. You
look out of the window and see a man and woman arguing in the street. He is shaking and
pushing her, and as you watch, he actually strikes her. What would you do?
Option 1. Phone for the police, then go down and try and reason with the man.
Option 2. Open the window and shout 'I've sent for the police; now leave her alone.'
Option 3. Think, 'It's their problem; don't get involved and try to go back to sleep..
 Score Sheet
Effectiveness
Circle the option you chose for each of the scenarios, on the grid below. For example, if you
decided option 2 would be closest to your response to scenario 1, encircle 2 in column A. If the
number you selected is the same as the number in column E, encircle that as well.
Scenarios A P AG E
1 2 1 3 2
2 2 3 1 2
3 2 1 3 3
4 3 1 2 3
5 1 2 3 2
6 3/1 2 3 3
7 3 1 2 1
8 2 1 3 2
9 3 2 1 2
10 1 3 2 2
TOTAL

Add up each column. Effective behaviour will show a balanced score. Too any in column A may
prove that you choose assertive behaviour to the detriment of the feelings or well-being of others,
for example; or too many in column P may indicate you neglect your own needs.