Soft Skills

Which of these behaviors is NOT a good example of positive nonverbal communication when listening to a co-worker? Mark only one oval.

• You maintain eye contact with your co-worker.

• You nod occasionally and smile.

• You cross your arms and maintain a neutral expression.

You have decided to quit your job and take a position at another company. What is the most professional way to inform your supervisor? Mark only one oval.

• Notify your supervisor of your decision at a face-to-face meeting.

• Call your supervisor on the phone and explain why you are leaving.

• Tell your supervisor the date of your last day in a short text.

Your boss typically gives instructions verbally rather than in writing. You worry that you do not always understand all the details. What is the best way to handle this situation?

• Tell your boss to slow down so that you do not get confused.

• Summarize the instructions back to your boss to make sure you understand.

• Request that all instructions be put in writing so that you can review them.

What is one likely advantage of being perceived as a trustworthy person at work?

• Your boss will give you the hardest assignments.

• You will be able to bend the rules of the company.

• Your co-workers will realize they can depend on you.

You work in a shipping warehouse where you and your co-workers pull goods from shelves and pack them into orders. Orders must be completed in a certain amount of time. You notice that some workers occasionally take small items from the shelves to keep for themselves. They argue that they are paid so little and are under such time pressure that taking goods is a way to get back at an unfair employer. Read the following possible actions and decide which is the BEST way to handle the situation.

• Decide that your co-workers are right and help yourself to low priced goods.

• Make a list of the worst offenders and turn the names over to your supervisor.

• Pretend you are not aware that your co-workers are taking goods for themselves.

• Tell your supervisor about the problem without naming the people who are stealing.

You work in a shipping warehouse where you and your co-workers pull goods from shelves and pack them into orders. Orders must be completed in a certain amount of time. You notice that some workers occasionally take small items from the shelves to keep for themselves. They argue that they are paid so little and are under such time pressure that taking goods is a way to get back at an unfair employer. Read the following possible actions and decide which is the WORST way to handle the situation.

• Decide that your co-workers are right and help yourself to low priced goods.

• Make a list of the worst offenders and turn the names over to your supervisor.

• Pretend you are not aware that your co-workers are taking goods for themselves.

• Tell your supervisor about the problem without naming the people who are stealing.

Which of these situations is the clearest example of showing initiative at work?

• You do your work in the shortest amount of time.

• You try to stay on good terms with all your co-workers.

• You make thoughtful suggestions to your boss about process improvements.

Levi and Toni work at a toy store. Levi is responsible for helping customers find products and checking them out at the register. Toni is responsible for keeping shelves stocked and orderly. On Wednesday, the store was having a 50% off sale and was much busier than usual. Toni noticed that the line at the register was very long. How can Toni be an effective team member?

• Toni can keep stocking shelves to stay out of Levi’s way.

• Toni can make sure shelves are stocked and then help Levi at the register.

• Toni can tell customers to be patient since it’s a busier than usual day.

What is the BEST response to change in the workplace?

• Disagree with the change

• Ignore the change

• Accept and adjust to the change

When faced with change at work, it's MORE valuable to

• Approach it as an opportunity.

• Accept it as an inconvenience.

• Keep doing what you have always done.