NETWORK ASSESSMENT

You've been busy at work delivering on some key projects, which has meant long hours in the office, having to work from home and not much time for yourself. Just when you think you’re done, your boss gives you another project to work on. What two actions would you be likely to take?

• I’d sit down and chat with a close friend to let go of the stress and to share my frustrations.
• I’d keep going because the project needs to be done and I need to do it.
• I’d do something else to give myself a change, yet keep working on the overall project so we didn’t fall behind schedule.
• I’d sit down with a trusted friend and discuss how I could achieve a balance so I could manage work better.
• I’d ask a colleague for suggestions on how to get work done more quickly.
• I’d try to sneak in a break if I could but make sure I came back to the work and finished it.

You’re looking to progress your career and are seeking guidance. What two actions would you be likely to take?

• I’d ask a senior figure I trust to tell me what they had done in my situation in their career, and if they could offer me any guidance for the long term.
• I’d look online to find the person in the right place in their career from whom I could learn the most so I could develop faster.
• I’d ask someone senior I respect, but I’d rely primarily on my own research when making any decision because I know what my goals are.
• I’d ask an older colleague I trust to tell me what their daily routine was like when they were in my position, and what the most valuable part of it was for them.
• I’d make my plans for the next year and then share them with a colleague over lunch. I’d do this to demonstrate that I am making progress so they would recommend me for other opportunities.
• I’d present my thinking to a close colleague, listen to their feedback, then follow their advice.

You come out of a long, tense conversation with your manager, who highlighted areas you’re doing well in, but also areas in which you need to lift your game. You don’t agree with your manager and decide to approach a friend you trust to tell it like it is for a second opinion. What two sequences of events are most likely to follow?

• They would say, “There won’t be any problem in your next conversation because you’re going to make a 90-day plan. You’re going to show your manager this plan, then follow it, and solve their problems.” At the day’s end I’d show my friend my plan.
• Your friend would say, “The real problem is your manager doesn’t know the work you really do. If they knew how hard you worked, I know they would not say that.” We would then go back to work.
• They would say, “I don’t agree with everything your manager said. But they are right on a couple of points. You need to work on your time management and you need to improve…”, and I would listen to their critique.
• They would say, “Don’t listen to them. Remember, every boss wants you to work harder and longer for less pay so they can save the company money. You’re doing a good job.” We would then talk about something else.
• They would say, “Who cares whether your manager is right or not? They’ve told you to do something, so it’s time to act!” And I would get to work right away.
• They would say, “It’s interesting feedback. We both know there’s always something to learn, some way to do better. But I think you’re doing a good job. Don’t stress too much about it.” We would then go and relax for a few minutes.

You've been busy at work delivering on some key projects, which has meant long hours in the office, having to work from home and not much time for yourself. Just when you think you’re done, your boss gives you another project to work on. What would you do?

• I’d keep going, because the project needs to be done and I need to do it.
• I’d sit down with a trusted friend and discuss how I could achieve a balance so I could manage work better.
• I’d get in touch with a friend so we could just clear our systems of stress, and then talk to someone I know is leading a rich life. I’d also schedule a time to quiz a well-connected person in my network to help me become a better worker.
• I’d ask a colleague for suggestions on how to get work done more quickly.
• I’d sit down with a close friend and just let go so I could get the stress out of my system.
• I’d do something else to give myself a change, yet keep working on the overall project so we don’t fall behind schedule.

You’re looking to progress your career and are seeking advice to guide you. What would you do?

• I’d present my thinking to a close colleague, listen to their feedback, then follow their advice.
• I’d look online to find the person in the right place in their career from whom I could learn the most so I could develop faster.
• I’d ask a respected authority in my field what they did when they were in my position, then I’d talk to a close colleague on current industry-specific information, so I could apply the authority’s experience to the current business environment.
• I’d ask someone senior I respect, but when making a decision I’d rely primarily on my own research because I know what my goals are.
• I’d question a senior figure I trust on what they did in my situation in their career, and ask them for any guidance they could give me for the long term.
• I’d ask an older colleague I trust to tell me what their daily routine was like when they were in my position, and what the most valuable part of it was for them.

You come out of a long, tense conversation with your manager, who highlighted areas you’re doing well in, but also areas in which you need to lift your game. You don’t agree with your manager and decide to approach a friend you trust to tell it like it is for a second opinion. What sequences of events are most likely to follow?

• Your friend would say, “The real problem is your manager doesn’t know the work you really do. If they knew how hard you worked, I know they would not say that.” We would then go back to work.
• They would say, “I don’t agree with everything your manager said, but they are right on a couple of points. You need to work on your time management and you need to improve…”, and I would listen to their critique.
• They would say, “It’s interesting feedback. We both know there’s always something to learn, some way to do better. But I think you’re doing a good job. Don’t stress too much about it.” We would then go and relax for a few minutes.
• They would say, “There won’t be any problem in your next conversation because you’re going to make a 90-day plan. You’re going to show your manager this plan, then follow it, and solve their problems.” At the day’s end I’d show my friend the plan.
• They would say, “Your manager is right. You need to improve in these areas. Let’s write them down now.” I would then take the list to my mentor so we could develop a plan of attack.
• They would tell me, “We’re going to get started today, right now. This is what you’re going to do.” I’d then seek guidance from a trusted colleague on how to develop this plan and enlist an accountability partner to keep me on track.

Your manager has announced their decision to retire at the end of the year and your company is looking to hire internally. You are a candidate for the position and want to be promoted. What do you think would be the most effective way for you to win promotion in your workplace?

• I’d take the initiative and raise my interest with HR so they could advise me on my best course of action, because this would help me determine what to do to get promoted.
• I’d ask a couple of my closest colleagues to write me a good reference, so I could demonstrate my ability and capability to take on the promotion
• I’d update my résumé to include my most recent achievements, because this would help me make the best impression during the hiring process.
• I’d ask my colleagues to put in a good word for me with HR, and I’d put my head down to get as much done as possible to demonstrate my strong work ethic.

You’ve recently been in arguments with your partner at home about not being around enough and always being tired and grumpy. Your boss, however, has been really impressed with your work and has told you that if you keep it up you will earn a nice bonus at the end of the year. What would you do?

• I’d ask a close friend what they honestly think I should do for my wellbeing.
• I’d seek honest feedback from a close friend I can trust to give me frank advice, and I’d consult a good colleague on how to balance personal and professional goals successfully.
• I’d ask a colleague who has a great work–life balance about their daily routine and try to emulate their habits in my own life.
• I’d work hard to the end of the year so I get the bonus, then scale back my hours so I can be home more with my partner.

You’re working hard on a project for a client but are stuck on how to complete a task. A close colleague is also working on the project and might be able to help you, but they are very busy with other client meetings. How would you get the work done?

• I’d switch tasks but keep working on the overall project so we don’t fall behind schedule.
• My colleague always notices when I get stuck and goes out of their way to connect me with someone who can help or to send me ideas and advice I can use.
• I’d call my colleague and ask who they would recommend I speak to for advice on how to complete the task.
• I’d ask another person in my department how my colleague had solved similar problems on other projects, and try to solve my problem using their solution.
• I’d keep working hard on the task, because you never know just when the answer will come to you.

You’re catching up with a person who is further along your career path and you are considering asking them for advice on how to progress your career. What would you do?

• I’d lay out my thinking and listen to their feedback, then do what they tell me to do.
• I’d ask them to tell me what they did in my situation in their career, and ask for any guidance they could give me for the long term.
• I’d ask them what they did when they were in my position. Then I’d ask a close colleague for current industry-specific information, so I could apply their experience to the current business environment.
• I’d ask them, but I’d rely primarily on my own research because I know what I’m looking for.

Recently you’ve been working extremely hard and feel like you’ve been neglecting your personal growth and goals. You’re looking to see what, if anything, in your life can be improved. What would you do?

• I’d talk with my friend about the goals I felt had been neglecting and draw out their advice both on how these goals could be achieved and on how my days could be reorganised to meet these goals.
• I’d pull out my calendar and see how many events I could clear from the next month so I’d have more time.
• I’d sit down with my most methodical friend, and we’d run through my daily schedule and see what we could do to optimise it.
• Starting with a blank sheet of paper, I’d write down ideas about what I want my life to look like. You’ve got to start simply and build from there.

You come out of a long, tense conversation with your manager, who highlighted areas you’re doing well in, but also areas in which you need to lift your game. You don’t agree with your manager and decide to approach a friend you trust to tell it like it is for a second opinion. What would they say?

• “Your manager is right. You need to improve in these areas. Let’s write them down now. Then you’re going to speak to Jack, who will guide you through how to tackle these challenges.”
• “Let’s think this through. Who cares whether your manager is right or not? They’ve told you to do something, so you’re going to do it. Now I want you to tell me exactly how you’re going to get this done.”
• “I don’t agree with everything your manager said, but they are right on a couple of points. You need to work on your time management and you need to improve…”
• “The real problem is your manager doesn’t know the work you really do. If they knew how hard you worked, I know they would not say that.”

You’ve been stuck for a while on a major part of your project that you can’t figure out how to progress on, and you are falling behind schedule. You’re speaking with an action-oriented colleague about the issue. What would they tell you?

• “Why don’t you take a break and return to the work later? This will give you a good chance to approach the problem with a fresh perspective.”
• “I don't want to hear that you can't do this. You can do this, and you'll do it today. In fact, you'll get started right now.”
• “Every good problem takes time to solve. You just need to give it some more thought, and you’ll find the answer.”
• “Frankly, you just need to make a decision. You’ve thought about this. You’ve got ideas. Now you need to act.”