Test Your Skills:
The "Lewis Approach" Challenge

So, you think you have good relationship skills and can get along with everyone all of the time? You think you can handle anyone in any situation, right? Well, take the "Lewis Approach" Challenge and see how good you really are!

The following are three sample situations that happen every day between people. Read each of the three situations, choose one of the multiple choice answers for each question, and then click on the "Answers" link at the bottom of this page to see how well you did.

Situation 1

Your spouse comes home from work one day and tells you, "I don’t like the way you relate to me anymore. You are so distant. Why are you like that?" Your possible responses:

A. "Why are you always complaining about me?"
B. "Well, if you wouldn’t work so much I would relate to you better."
C. "Tell me why you are saying that."

Situation 2

You want your friend to go to dinner with you but they are resisting in going. Your possible responses:

A. "I understand what you are saying. But accept what I want. Go along and come with me to dinner. I’d really appreciate that."
B. "Oh, you are such a drag. Why don’t you ever want to do anything with me?"
C. "Will you come to dinner with me anyway? If you do, I’ll do what you want next time. How about that?"

In an argument a person tells you, "If you don’t shut up, I’m gonna make you shut up." Your possible responses:

A. "Oh yeah? Why don’t you come over here and try it."
B. "No, don’t say that. Don’t think about harming me. Be nice to me and tell me what made you say what you said."
C. "If you do that, I’ll call the police and sue you."

ANSWERS