4. Skill Builder Practice your ability to manage criticism constructively by creating a brief role play with a partner based on one of the scenarios below (or use any critical message you are likely to receive on the job).

A co-worker accuses you of trying to ingratiate yourself with (kiss up to) the boss.

A hard-to-please client snaps at you about not returning his phone calls in a timely manner.

You forgot to proofread the budget committee’s minutes before you distributed them; you accidentally mistyped several of the budget figures and the boss is upset.

You walk through a co-worker’s work area on the way to the drinking fountain. She barks,

“Can’t you give me some space to do my job?”

At a meeting, you present a proposal that angers one of your co-workers. He attacks you verbally, claiming that you don’t have your facts right.

Your supervisor criticizes you for taking too long to finish a job.

Enact the role play three times as follows:

a. The sender of the message uses judgmental language and the receiver responds defensively.

b. The sender uses judgmental language. The receiver responds nondefensively, using the skills described on pages 136–137.

c. The sender delivers the criticism as constructive feedback, using the guidelines on pages 135–137. The receiver responds nondefensively.

Discuss the impact that each approach is likely to have (1) on the relational climate and

(2) on future interactions between these employees.

Explain your answer by using the communication model in Chapter 1, pp. 7–9.