Scenario 1 – Restoring Trust after a Mistake

You promised your team that bonuses would be distributed by the end of the quarter, but budget cuts delay payment. Team members feel misled and demotivated.

1. How would you communicate this news while maintaining credibility?
2. Which aspects of emotional intelligence would help you manage your own emotions and theirs?
3. How can you rebuild trust in the weeks that follow?

Scenario 2 – Mediating Interpersonal Conflict
Two high-performing colleagues have stopped collaborating, each blaming the other for missed deadlines. The tension affects morale.

1. What first steps would you take to de-escalate the conflict?
2. How would you use empathy and neutrality to facilitate resolution?
3. How can you ensure accountability without assigning blame?
4. How might organisational culture need to shift to prevent similar issues?