Self Advocacy
What does self-advocacy look like in the workplace?
Respectfully expressing your needs, concerns, or ideas.
What is active listening?
Listening to understand rather than simply waiting to respond.
What is the difference between a soft skill and a technical skill?
Soft skills involve how you work with others; technical skills involve job-specific knowledge.
What is prioritizing?
Determining which tasks are most important and completing them first.
Why is teamwork important in the workplace?
It helps people achieve goals more effectively.
Why is it important to ask questions when you are unsure about a task?
It helps prevent mistakes and improves understanding.
Why is nonverbal communication important?
Body language, tone, and facial expressions affect how messages are received.
Why do employers often value soft skills as much as technical skills?
They affect teamwork, communication, productivity, and workplace success.
Why is planning ahead important at work?
It helps meet deadlines and reduces stress.
What does empathy mean?
Understanding and considering another person's perspective or feelings.
Scenario: Your supervisor gives you a project deadline that may be difficult to meet. What is an appropriate way to advocate for yourself?
Discuss the workload, ask questions, and explore solutions.
Scenario: A coworker explains a process to you. What can you do to make sure you understood correctly?
Summarize or repeat key points back to them.
Name two soft skills that can help someone succeed in almost any job.
Examples: communication, teamwork, adaptability, time management, problem-solving.
Scenario: You have three tasks due today. One affects customers, one affects your team, and one is due next week. Which should you likely complete first?
The task affecting customers (or the highest-priority task).
Scenario: A coworker seems frustrated during a project. What social skill can help improve the situation?
Empathy, listening, or communication
What is the difference between self-advocacy and complaining?
Self-advocacy focuses on solutions and needs; complaining focuses on problems without solutions.
What communication skill helps reduce conflict and misunderstandings?
Clear and respectful communication.
How can poor soft skills affect workplace performance?
They can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, missed deadlines, or poor teamwork.
What is one sign that someone may need to improve their time management skills?
Missing deadlines, rushing work, forgetting tasks, etc.
How can showing respect improve workplace relationships?
It builds trust and cooperation.
Scenario: You have successfully completed several major projects and want more responsibility. What is a professional way to advocate for yourself?
Meet with your supervisor and discuss your accomplishments and goals.
Scenario: You receive feedback that you disagree with. What is the most professional response?
Listen carefully, ask questions, and respond respectfully.
Scenario: An employee is highly skilled at their job but frequently argues with coworkers and ignores feedback. What soft skill area needs improvement?
Communication, teamwork, professionalism, or interpersonal skills.
Scenario: A meeting is added to your schedule and conflicts with project work. What time management skill can help you stay on track?
Adjusting priorities and revising your plan.
Scenario: Two coworkers disagree about how to complete a task. What should happen first to resolve the conflict?
Listen to both perspectives and discuss possible solutions respectfully.