Own It!
You accidentally knock someone’s drink off the table. What should you do first?
Apologize and help clean it up.
You ask to use your phone during class and the teacher says no. What is an appropriate response?
Accept the answer and put the phone away.
A teacher says, “Please put your Chromebook away.” What should you do?
Put it away without needing repeated prompts.
You finish your assigned task at work. What should you do next?
Tell the supervisor and ask what to do next.
Two people are quietly talking to each other. What should you do before joining the conversation?
Wait for an opening or politely ask to join.
Your sibling is using the TV and you want it. What is a better first move than grabbing the remote?
Ask when they will be finished or negotiate turns.
A teacher asks why your assignment is not finished. You forgot to do it. Which response shows accountability: A) “Nobody reminded me.” B) “I forgot. I’ll finish it tonight.” C) “It doesn’t matter.”
B) “I forgot. I’ll finish it tonight.”
Scenario: You ask a girl in your class for a hug, and she says, “No, I don’t want to be touched.” Later, your teacher also says no when you ask for a hug. You feel disappointed because you were trying to be friendly.
Question: What is the best way to respond when someone says no to being touched?
Best answer: “Okay, I’ll respect your space.” Keep your hands to yourself and give them space. You can feel disappointed, but you should not keep asking, argue, or touch them anyway. Everyone gets to decide whether they want to be touched.
Your supervisor says, “Please redo this because it was completed incorrectly.” What should you avoid saying?
“That’s stupid,” “I already did it,” or refusing immediately.
A coworker says “Good morning.” You are tired and do not feel like talking. What is a reasonable response?
A brief “Morning,” nod, or polite acknowledgment.
Someone gives short answers, looks away, and starts packing up. What might they be communicating?
They may want to end the conversation.
Someone bumps into you in a crowded hallway and does not apologize. What is probably the best first assumption?
It may have been accidental.
You are joking with a friend, but your joke hurts their feelings. You did not mean to upset them. Are you still responsible for how you respond afterward?
Yes. Intent matters, but impact matters too.
You ask a classmate to sit with you at lunch, and they say they already have plans. What should you avoid doing?
Guilt-tripping, insulting, repeatedly asking, or assuming they dislike you.
You do not understand a direction. Is it better to guess or ask for clarification?
Ask for clarification.
A coworker is doing a task differently than you learned it. Should you immediately correct them?
Usually no. Focus on your own role unless it affects safety or your responsibilities.
You are excited about your favorite topic. Your friend has not spoken for five minutes. What might be a good next move?
Pause and ask them a question or give them a chance to talk.
A friend texts “K” after you send them a message. You think they are angry. What do you actually know for sure?
Only that they sent “K.” Their emotion is uncertain.
Your boss says you were 10 minutes late. You explain that traffic was bad. What could you say next that shows responsibility?
“I understand. Next time I’ll leave earlier.”
Your supervisor says you cannot take your break yet because another employee is already on break. What could you say?
“Okay. When would be a good time for me to take mine?”
Two adults give you directions that seem to conflict. What should you do?
Calmly explain the conflict and ask which direction to follow.
You realize you made a mistake at work that your supervisor has not noticed yet. What should you do?
Tell them and ask how to fix it.
A joke gets laughs with close friends but would probably not be appropriate during a job interview. Why?
Social rules change depending on the setting and audience.
A classmate asks you something personal that you do not want to answer. What can you say?
“I’d rather not talk about that.”
You and another student both contributed to an argument. The other person did more wrong than you did. Do you still need to take responsibility for your part?
Yes. You can own your part without accepting blame for everything.
You are told no, but you believe the decision is unfair. What is the difference between self-advocacy and arguing?
Self-advocacy is calm, respectful, and solution-focused; arguing usually repeats, escalates, or becomes disrespectful.
A boss gives you feedback in a tone you do not like, but the feedback itself is accurate. What are two separate things you may need to think about?
The content of the feedback and the way it was delivered.
Your coworker annoys you, but you still have to work with them. Do coworkers need to be friends to work successfully together?
No. They need professionalism, respect, and cooperation.
Everyone in a group is laughing, but one person looks uncomfortable. What social information should you pay attention to?
The uncomfortable person's reaction matters even if the majority is laughing.
Your friends are encouraging you to do something that could get you in trouble. You want them to like you. What matters more in deciding what to do?
Your safety, values, rules, and consequences—not just group approval.