Communication in the Workplace Quiz (AKA The Small Talk Test)

This quiz — also known as the Small Talk Test — is designed to help you figure out how advanced your interpersonal communication skills at work really are. Are you being effective, or shooting yourself in the foot?

Assertive Situations

Step up, make yourself count, and create a win-win outcome. These usually go well — your job is to make them great.

Technicians
Subject Matter Experts
Management
Executive Management
Vendors
Clients

Defensive Situations

Stay on guard to keep things professional and protect your future. Transform a bad situation into a positive one.

Gossipers
Chatty Chris’s
Micromanagers
Know It Alls

Your progress 0 of 10 answered

Communication in the Workplace Quiz

1

Someone is talking negatively about a coworker in the break room. What should you do?

Ignore them Listen to what they have to say Tell them to stop it Go get HR Start swinging fists

2

Your coworker has been recounting vacation stories for 30 minutes. What do you do next?

Add in your own stories Pretend to go asleep Turn around and start working Cue the end and excuse them Start copying what they say

3

Your project manager has asked you to change the font in paragraph 3 of your report — again. How do you respond?

Pretend you didn’t get the email Change the font and deliver the report Do the work, then confront the manager Refuse and carry on Move to a different cube

4

An angry-looking co-worker chimes in again during a long meeting, saying everyone is doing it wrong. What should you do?

Call him a grump and move on Nod your head, pause, and then carry on Just keep on talking Throw a stapler at him Turn his point into a positive hint at a possible solution

5

The chemical technician on your project is looking for guidance on an experiment. How do you respond?

Tell him to follow the directions and hurry up Insist he work with his management for answers Offer on-the-job training for him Write up a detailed report and email it to him Work with him to create a new set of better instructions

6

Your company’s resident scientist offers to help with your latest assignment. What do you do?

Work with her schedule to get the needed information Accept a few hints, but don’t dive too deep Say you have it covered and keep working Call her a nerd and run away Recount stories of her last failed attempt to help

7

Your company’s CEO is at the supply cabinet and you’re walking her way. What do you do?

Work your way into a brief discussion about the main contract Get right in her space and ask how her day is going Wait until she’s done, then ask a super-quick question Ask for a pen while she’s in there Just stare until she decides to leave

8

The paper materials vendor is at the back door again, asking about getting more business. What do you say?

Laugh and shrug it off as a joke Tell him you’ll get with Sales and see what’s possible Let him know you’ll personally guarantee it happens Ask about what you’re going to get out of it Sign the purchase order right then and there

9

A frantic client calls about the latest hardware delivery being broken. What now?

Apologize, ask for a return shipment, and let him know your company will fix it ASAP Apologize and tell him all sales are final, then hang up Say you’re sorry and direct him to call Returns for the correct processing route See if you can solve the problem over the phone right now Chuckle, call him a sucker, and reassign him to your most hated coworker

10

Your new boss is having a hard time getting people to do their performance appraisals. What do you do?

Defend your boss in times of need Go with the flow and ignore the performance appraisal Email your coworkers and let them know your manager could use some cooperation Talk with your manager about how best to approach this topic Walk into his office and let him know performance appraisals are stupid

Answer all 10 questions to discover your Small Talker Type