Are you too nice?

Your significant other is flying home after a trip and asks you to pick him or her up at the airport, even though they know you have to work. Do you:

Say yes, and let your supervisor know you can’t work overtime.

Tell them you have to finish a project and suggest they take the train instead.

Say no, and get angry. Why does he or she assume that you can drop everything you have to do?

Correct!

Wrong!

You recently started a new job and one of your colleagues has been less than friendly. Do you:

Try to kill her with kindness, hoping that you can win her over.

Not take it personally. Continue to be yourself, knowing it takes time to make friends.

Give her the cold shoulder back.

Correct!

Wrong!

You are the maid-of-honor at your best friend’s wedding, and the bride-to-be has suggested an expensive bachelorette party. Do you:

Realize this is her one time to shine and give her everything she wants.

Suggest a smaller, more intimate gathering at your place, which is what you can afford.

Talk behind her back about the extravagance of her request.

Correct!

Wrong!

You’re at a conference when a well-known expert in your field shows up surrounded by people. Your friend offers to introduce you. Do you:

Feel intimidated and turn down a chance to meet him, even though it might help your career.

Meet him and have a quick conversation knowing that he doesn’t have a lot of time.

Talk with him and monopolize the conversation, which is inappropriate, but you are not aware of that.

Correct!

Wrong!

Your boss has begun to get a little too comfortable asking for personal errands. Do you:

Continue to say yes, even though you know it’s against company policy.

Mention to your boss that the errands are conflicting with your work time and see if you can figure out another arrangement.

Bad mouth your boss and go straight to HR to complain.

Correct!

Wrong!

You are getting your hair cut and have a fun time chatting with your hairstylist. When it’s done, you’re not entirely pleased with the outcome. Do you:

Think that there are worse things in life, and focus instead on how nice she was.

Mention that the hairstyle was not exactly right and see how she can she make adjustments.

Get upset and complain to the manager.

Correct!

Wrong!

At a work presentation, a colleague takes credit for an idea you know was yours. You:

Don’t say anything because you are too shy to speak up. Next time you vow to be more assertive.

Speak to her privately after the meeting and let her know her behavior is unacceptable.

Accuse her of stealing your idea during the meeting, which makes you both look bad.

Correct!

Wrong!