Work Strengths Test Question 27 – Helping a colleague meet a shared deadline

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Read the scenario and rate every action independently. More than one action can receive the same rating.

Test part: Part 2: Effectiveness ratings
Level: Administrative Assistant / Administrative Officer
Strength pair: Relationship Builder / Team Player
Practice focus: Team Player
Difficulty: Medium

Scenario

Your team must send a combined return by 3 pm. You have completed your section early, but a colleague who is usually reliable says they are struggling with an unexpected volume of work. They look worried and have not yet told the person coordinating the return. Your own routine filing can wait until tomorrow, although taking on extra work will make the rest of your afternoon busier.

Rate the actions

For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.

Action A

Ask what remains, agree which tasks you can take, and make sure the coordinator knows how the work is being divided.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action B

Complete your filing first and offer help if the colleague is still behind afterwards.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action C

Take over the colleague's unfinished section without telling them so that the return is completed quickly.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action D

Tell the colleague that everyone has their own workload and they should speak to the coordinator if they cannot cope.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Click to reveal the answer
  • Action A: Effective
  • Action B: Fairly Effective
  • Action C: Counterproductive
  • Action D: Ineffective

Members can unlock the full explanation for all four actions below, including why each rating fits and what the question is testing.

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