Work
Your manager unexpectedly asks you to complete a report that typically takes a day or two, but you have a deadline for another important project later in the day. How do you manage the situation?
Assess the urgency of both tasks and communicate with your manager about the conflicting deadlines. Propose an adjusted plan for completing both, perhaps by shifting some tasks around, delegating if possible, or asking for a brief extension on one task to ensure quality on both.
If you’re unable to go to the gym at the planned time, you should skip your workout entirely.
False
You’re at a family gathering and your cousin starts telling a story that you’ve heard many times before. You feel like it’s not the right time to interrupt, but you’re getting bored. How do you handle it?
You could let your cousin finish their story while remaining engaged, then redirect the conversation to something new and interesting for everyone. Offering new topics can help keep the gathering enjoyable for all without causing tension.
You should always go along with your partner’s choice without expressing any concerns, to avoid conflict.
False.
You’re at a party with friends, and it’s getting increasingly loud and overwhelming. You’re feeling drained and just want to leave but don’t want to make your friends feel bad or draw attention to your discomfort. You decide to leave without saying goodbye. Is this being flexible? True or False
False
You’re working on a project with a colleague, but they keep changing their approach without consulting you first, which is causing confusion and delays. How do you address this problem?
Have a direct but polite conversation with your colleague to clarify the project goals and timelines. Express your concerns about the changes and suggest that you both establish a clear plan moving forward with agreed-upon responsibilities to avoid further confusion.
You planned a relaxing weekend at home, but your friend calls and invites you to an impromptu event that sounds fun. You feel torn between your plans and wanting to be social. How do you respond?
Be honest about your need for downtime, but express appreciation for the invitation. Offer to join for a brief period or suggest a follow-up plan to hang out later when you feel more rested, striking a balance between socializing and self-care.
You’re spending time with your family, and your brother suggests a game to play, but it’s one you really don’t enjoy. You’d rather do something else, but you don’t want to seem difficult or ruin the mood. How do you handle this?
It’s important to stay flexible. You can agree to play the game, make the best of it, and suggest another game or activity afterward that you’d prefer, ensuring everyone has a good time.
Your partner wants to go to a friend’s party and invites you to come along. However, you don’t know their friends very well and don’t have many common interests with them. You’re feeling uncertain about going but don’t want to disappoint your partner. How do you handle the situation?
You can express your feelings honestly but remain flexible. You could agree to attend with your partner while also setting boundaries (e.g., staying for a certain amount of time or finding activities to do that help you feel more comfortable). Alternatively, you could suggest a compromise, like attending for a couple hours and offering to do something together afterward
You’re at home and planned to spend the evening relaxing. However, your roommate needs help fixing something in the kitchen. Instead of getting frustrated, you offer to help them because you recognize it’s a priority for them. Is this being flexible?
True. Flexibility means being willing to adapt. If you have time to help your roommate, they will most likely appreciate it!
True/False: It’s acceptable to ignore your manager’s urgent request because you already have a heavy workload.
False.
You arrive at a restaurant you were excited to try, but the wait is longer than expected, and you’re starting to get frustrated. How do you manage this situation?
Take a deep breath and consider your options. You could use the wait time to check out other nearby restaurants, or suggest a change of plans with your companion. Alternatively, you could stay and enjoy the moment, perhaps by using the wait time to chat or relax.
You and a few friends are planning to hang out. When it’s time to decide where to eat, one of your friends picks a restaurant that you really don’t enjoy. You’re worried about disappointing them, but you also don’t want to eat there. How do you handle this situation?
You can express your preferences politely but remain flexible. You could suggest a nearby place that might have options everyone likes or agree to try the restaurant, knowing that you can still make the best of it and adjust your expectations.
You tend to clean the house more frequently than your partner does, and it’s starting to frustrate you. You’d like the house to be cleaner more often, but your partner doesn’t seem to prioritize cleaning as much. How do you approach this situation with flexibility?
You can express your feelings calmly and without blame, explaining that the cleaning habits are a point of frustration for you. Being flexible means finding a middle ground—perhaps you can agree on a cleaning schedule or assign specific tasks to each person to ensure that both of you feel the house is maintained without overwhelming one person.
You’ve been asked to stay late at work to finish a project that’s running behind schedule, but you’ve already planned personal time for the evening. You agree without saying anything because you don’t want to seem difficult. Is this being flexible?
False. While being flexible at work is important, self-advocacy is key. You could acknowledge the request, but also communicate that you have personal plans and propose a reasonable solution, such as completing the work the next day.
You are asked last minute to take on a new responsibility at work that requires skills you aren’t completely confident in. What’s your response?
Acknowledge your uncertainty but show a willingness to learn. You could ask for additional support or training, or express your commitment to getting up to speed while working on the task.
You’re on your way to an important doctor’s appointment, but you’re stuck in heavy traffic due to an accident. You're starting to feel extremely frustrated because you’re worried about being late and possibly missing the appointment altogether. How should you handle this?
Staying calm and flexible is key. It’s better to take a some deep breaths, accept that the traffic is out of your control, and call the doctor’s office to explain the situation. Let them know you’re on your way, so they can adjust the schedule. This can help you feel more in control and less frustrated.
A family member asks for help with something important, but you already had plans for the day. How do you manage the conflict between your personal plans and helping your family member?
Assess the urgency of the request and communicate your willingness to help while being honest about your plans. You could offer to help at a later time or suggest a solution that allows you to assist without disrupting your personal time.
Your partner wants to go on an international vacation trip, but you’re currently low on funds and feel hesitant about spending that much money. You don’t want to disappoint them, but you also need to be responsible with your finances. How can you handle this situation with flexibility?
You can express your concerns about the budget in a considerate way and suggest finding a more affordable alternative. You might propose a smaller-scale trip, a staycation, or setting a savings goal together for the future trip. This allows both partners to stay happy while being mindful of financial limitations.
You’re asked by a friend to do something that goes against your values or comfort zone, but you agree because you don’t want to disappoint them. Is this being flexible?
False. Flexibility means adapting to changes, but not at the expense of your values. Communicate your boundaries and suggest an alternative that respects both your needs and the friendship.