For example, let's say I was at a restaurant and ordered a burger medium-well. When my food arrives and I take a bite out of my burger, I notice that the burger is cooked medium-rare. I call the server over and say the following: 

 

1) Describe the problem: "Hey, when I put my order in, I asked for a burger cooked medium-well and the one I received is cooked medium-rare as you can see." 

2) State how this problem affects you: "Unfortunately, anytime I eat meat that's not cooked all the way through I get sick." 

3) Propose solutions that are workable: "Would you be able to throw the burger patty back on the grill or cook me a new burger altogether this time medium-well?" 

4) Confirm understanding: "Ok, so you'll bring me a new burger cooked all the way through? Thank you so much." 

 

Scenario: Imagine you are the manager at a coffee shop in the morning and a tutor in the afternoon. Your shift at the coffee shop ends at 2 pm giving you just enough time to make it to your tutoring job that starts are 3 pm. Lately, Brooklyn, the manager who takes over in the afternoon has been arriving 15 minutes late to their shift. As a result, you end up leaving the coffee shop 15 minutes later and barely make it to your tutoring sessions at 3 pm. This is the third time this week that Brooklyn is late and has affected your ability to be on time at your tutoring job. 

Practice assertive communication by writing out your side of the conversation with Brooklyn (see example above in my imaginary conversation with the waiter) about their tardiness. 

1) Describe the problem to Brooklyn:  

2) Tell Brooklyn how this problem affects you: 

3) Propose solutions to Brooklyn that are workable:  

4) Confirm understanding with Brooklyn: 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Describe the problem to Brooklyn Hey Brooklyn I need to talk to you about your consistent tardiness ... View the full answer