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Skillbuilder:Communication

What You Say & How You Say It

Effort: 15 minutes
Earns

+10 Points

Winner

(1) $100 e-gift card

Verbal communication is not just about what you say; it can be about how you say it, and often, about what you don’t say. In your internship, you will likely encounter situations where you may need to ask questions and advocate for yourself.

Your task:
Choose one of the following scenarios or create your own:

Scenario 1: Every morning when you arrive at work, the staff member who sits in the cubicle next to you tells you to get them a cup of coffee.

Scenario 2: You found out your project deadline was moved up to tomorrow and you don’t think there is any way you will be able to finish in time.

Scenario 3: You don’t understand the next task that your supervisor wants you to do, but you’ve already asked them a bunch of questions today and don’t want to bother them.

For one scenario, identify the following:
- What is the problem? What happened? What specifically needs to be solved?
- How would you feel? Write down five words that best describe your emotions in this scenario.
- Why is this important? Affirm that you have good reasons for advocating for yourself.
- Who is best suited to help support me as I find a solution to this problem?
- What should I say? Draft what you will say to the person you are requesting help from, including some of your ideas of how to approach the situation.
- How do I follow up? Write down some actions to follow up on your request for help.

Submit your answers in the Skillbuilder text box.

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