Compassion Before Protocol – Interactive Test

How to Answer

A/B = Compassion-first
C = Balanced / Situational
D/E = Protocol-first

The Scenarios

1) A coworker breaks a minor rule to help someone in distress. What do you do?

A – Quietly support and help them resolve it safely. B – Encourage them; offer to cover while ensuring no one is harmed. C – Seek a supervisor to find a compassionate exception. D – Remind them of the rule and ask them to stop. E – Report them; rules exist for a reason.

2) A hungry stranger asks for food where policy says 'no giveaways.' What do you do?

A – Give food now; sort policy out later. B – Offer something from your own pocket; help them find resources. C – Ask a manager for a one-time exception. D – Kindly explain policy and decline. E – Decline and notify security to prevent repeats.

3) You see an animal trapped beyond a 'Do Not Enter' sign. What do you do?

A – Enter and free the animal, staying careful. B – Call for help and act if it’s urgent. C – Find staff; wait nearby to monitor. D – Do not enter; rules are there for safety. E – Leave; it’s not your responsibility.

4) A friend confides a mistake that could get them in trouble. What is your first response?

A – Comfort them first; then discuss repair steps. B – Listen without judgment; plan to make it right. C – Encourage honesty with those affected. D – Emphasize consequences and rules broken. E – Advise immediate formal reporting and penalties.

5) A child disobeys but shows clear kindness doing so. How do you respond?

A – Praise the kindness; guide better choices next time. B – Acknowledge heart first; discuss safer options. C – Balance: recognize good intent and set a boundary. D – Focus on disobedience; consequences are needed. E – Enforce strict penalty to deter future disobedience.

6) A sick visitor can’t complete required forms. What’s your next step?

A – Sit them down and help complete essentials first. B – Get them comfortable; collect minimum info now, rest later. C – Ask for flexible intake with supervisor approval. D – No service until forms are complete. E – Turn them away per policy.

7) A leader orders a cold, 'by the book' decision that harms someone. What do you do?

A – Speak up for a humane alternative immediately. B – Ask to pause and consider harm reduction. C – Request a review channel to evaluate exceptions. D – Follow orders; it’s not your place. E – Enforce strictly; personal feelings don’t matter.

8) You witness unfair treatment justified as 'policy.' What do you do?

A – Intervene kindly for the person being mistreated. B – De-escalate and advocate for fairness. C – Raise the issue with management for review. D – Stay out of it; policy must be consistent. E – Support the policy enforcer to maintain order.

9) Someone insults you publicly during a heated moment. How do you respond?

A – Respond with patience; try to understand their pain. B – Stay calm; choose words that lower heat. C – End the exchange and revisit later. D – Correct them sharply; standards matter. E – Demand an apology publicly to set an example.

10) You find a wallet with ID. What do you do?

A – Contact the owner directly and return it immediately. B – Safeguard it and attempt direct return same day. C – Use official lost-and-found but follow up. D – Hand it to lost-and-found only; no extra steps. E – Leave it where it is; it’s not your job.

11) A severe storm hits and rules forbid sheltering outsiders. What do you do?

A – Open your doors; protect life first. B – Quietly shelter people and coordinate help. C – Call for authorization while offering temporary cover. D – Keep doors closed; rules prevent chaos. E – Enforce closure and call authorities on violators.

12) Someone’s hardship is partly their own fault. Where do you put attention first?

A – Offer compassion and practical help first. B – Acknowledge pain; then discuss responsibility. C – Balance care with boundaries and next steps. D – Emphasize consequences so they learn. E – Withhold help; they must face results.

Answer all 12 to score.

Your Results

Compassion: 0 Balanced: 0 Protocol: 0

About This Tool

This reflection isn’t a judgment—it’s a snapshot to spark conversation and growth. True wisdom holds compassion and good order together, with love as the compass.