A story to test your understanding of the four communication styles......

1. EDCA 112 – A. Shafai
The Four Little Pigs or How The Three Little Pigs Came To Be
Background: The wolf has always been a problem.
As far back as the Pig family could remember pigs
had been involved in wolf-proofing their homes.
The current generation being no exception, the
story opens with the four pig siblings in a
conversation about their new building venture:
Pig 3: How is everyone today? How do we all feel? Is everyone okay? I just
love this idea about the four of us building a house together.
Pig 4: Right. Now speaking of the house, let’s get to the point. We’re behind
schedule. Now where’s my list? I believe we’re in phase two of the initial
planning stage. Yes, it’s all right here…
Pig 1: Hogwash, forget the list and let’s get on with it. Talk is cheap. We need
to see some actual construction around here!
Pig 2: Now there’s an idea. We could get started building. Or, maybe we should
look around for some investment property. I saw a nice little piece of
property down by the river. Water access on one whole side of it. That
would keep the old wolf thinking.
Pig 3: Speaking of the wolf. You know, I still say we could save a lot of hard
feelings in the end if we would just try to sit down and meet with the wolf
in person. I have this feeling that the wolf is probably not all that bad,
deep down inside. We just need to see things from his perspective. Being
a wolf has a lot of hardship connected with it and I don’t see why we
don’t….
Pig 4: Cut it! We’re off the subject. The next item on the schedule is to
discuss actual building materials. I have the list right here.
Pig 2: Did we remember to add all that extra stuff for the turrets? I really like
turrets in a house. And what about bay windows? I think we should
consider bay windows, are they on the list?
Pig 1: Turrets are out. Entirely impractical. And bay windows would just provide
easy access for the wolf. Anyway, we already decided what we needed.
In fact, I’ve already picked up most of the stuff. It was on sale. We got
a good deal on it. I got brown tile instead of red. Easier to clean. I knew
as soon as I saw it.

2. EDCA 112 – A. Shafai
Pig 4: Hold on. You mean you bought things that we didn’t approve? You mean
you changed the list?
Pig 1: Just staying on top of things.
Pig 4: This is getting out of hand. I don’t think I can continue on with this
housing project in light of this recent insubordination.
Pig 2: I’m not sure I’m still in either. I don’t completely buy leaving off the
turrets. But maybe there’s hope if we consider a moat. What does
everyone think about a moat….
Pig 3: I believe we’d all feel a lot better if we’d just arrange to meet with the
wolf. I just know he’d be sympathetic to our situation. Why……….
Pig 1: Forget it. I’m out. Too much talk. Not enough action. I’ve got the stuff
I need. I’m building my own house.
Pig 2: So be it. I’m off to the realtor.
Pig 3: Well then, I guess I’ll just have to go see the wolf myself. I’m sure he’ll
be more understanding.