Scenario Library (NCAR Training)
These scenarios train ripple-aware decision-making using the Ripple Loop: Notice → Choose → Act → Reflect. Each one is designed to be realistic, runnable, and high learning value.
Goal: win-win outcomes
Constraint: rights-first
Skill: redesign bad option sets
Practice: 2–5 minutes each
1) The Focus Collapse (Daily Alignment)
You planned a productive day, but you keep sliding into distractions. You feel scattered and behind.
Decision: Do you push harder, reset the day, or redesign your environment?
Decision: Do you push harder, reset the day, or redesign your environment?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Name the trigger (fatigue, anxiety, boredom, unclear priorities).
Choose: Pick 1 task with the highest ripple value (smallest action, biggest relief).
Act: Remove one distraction (phone out of room, timer, single tab).
Reflect: What changed your focus most? Keep it for tomorrow.
2) The Integrity Shortcut (Truth vs Convenience)
A small lie would make today easier. It avoids conflict and saves time, but it harms trust if discovered.
Decision: Do you lie, tell the truth, or design a third option (partial truth + repair plan)?
Decision: Do you lie, tell the truth, or design a third option (partial truth + repair plan)?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: What are you protecting? Image, comfort, safety, or ego?
Choose: Select the option that preserves dignity and future trust.
Act: Speak cleanly: truth + responsibility + next step.
Reflect: Did honesty reduce long-term risk? What did you learn about fear?
3) The Boundary Decision (Respect Without War)
Someone keeps crossing a line. If you do nothing, resentment grows. If you explode, you damage the relationship.
Decision: Hold a boundary calmly, withdraw, or renegotiate the relationship rules?
Decision: Hold a boundary calmly, withdraw, or renegotiate the relationship rules?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Identify the exact behavior, not the person’s identity.
Choose: Pick the smallest boundary that restores safety and respect.
Act: “When X happens, I will do Y.” (clear, calm, consistent)
Reflect: Did the boundary improve trust? If not, redesign consequences.
4) The Household Load Imbalance (Fairness Repair)
One person is carrying too much. Tension rises. Appreciation drops. The system starts to rot quietly.
Decision: Do you keep pushing, confront harshly, or redesign the household workflow?
Decision: Do you keep pushing, confront harshly, or redesign the household workflow?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Track tasks for 2 days (facts beat narratives).
Choose: Select 1–2 tasks to transfer or simplify immediately.
Act: Hold a 15-min “household reset” meeting with kindness + clarity.
Reflect: What made cooperation easier? Keep that rule.
5) The Unethical Request (Workplace Ethics)
A boss asks you to do something dishonest, deceptive, or exploitative. It may protect your job, but it harms others.
Decision: comply, refuse, escalate, or redesign the deliverable ethically?
Decision: comply, refuse, escalate, or redesign the deliverable ethically?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Define the rights-risk clearly (who gets harmed, how).
Choose: Rights-first: reject options requiring deception or exploitation.
Act: Offer an ethical alternative with proof (data, rationale, timeline).
Reflect: Did your response increase respect or clarify exit plans?
6) The Public Outrage Trap (Online Behavior)
A debate turns toxic. Everyone is attacking. You feel pulled to “win,” but winning may worsen polarization.
Decision: engage, exit, or redirect to a higher-signal channel?
Decision: engage, exit, or redirect to a higher-signal channel?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Is this truth-seeking or status warfare?
Choose: Choose actions that increase clarity and reduce harm.
Act: One clean comment + one source, or disengage completely.
Reflect: Did your action improve signal or fuel fire? Update tactics.
7) The Convenience vs Future (Consumption Ethics)
A cheap product saves money today, but harms the environment or supply chain. A better option costs more.
Decision: buy cheap, buy ethical, or redesign consumption (reuse / repair / delay)?
Decision: buy cheap, buy ethical, or redesign consumption (reuse / repair / delay)?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Where does harm hide? (waste, labor, ecology)
Choose: Pick the option that reduces net harm while staying realistic.
Act: Reduce frequency (buy less), then improve quality (buy better).
Reflect: Which change lowered regret and improved stability?
8) The Repair Moment (You Hurt Someone)
You said something sharp. You were wrong. The room shifted. The relationship is slightly damaged.
Decision: justify yourself, ignore it, or repair cleanly right now?
Decision: justify yourself, ignore it, or repair cleanly right now?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Name the harm without excuses.
Choose: Choose repair over ego-protection.
Act: “I was wrong. I’m sorry. I will do better by doing X.”
Reflect: Did repair restore trust quickly? Keep this as a rule.
9) The Overcommitment Trap (Too Many Obligations)
You’ve said yes to too much. You’re drowning. Your best work is degrading, and your presence at home weakens.
Decision: push through, quit something, or redesign commitments into fewer, stronger blocks?
Decision: push through, quit something, or redesign commitments into fewer, stronger blocks?
NCAR Walkthrough
Notice: Identify the top 2 commitments that carry the highest ripple value.
Choose: Remove or pause the lowest-value obligations first.
Act: Send one clean message: “I can’t do this right now. Here’s why.”
Reflect: Did your system stabilize? Keep the new boundaries.