Essential Management Concepts: Leadership, Communication, and Team Dynamics Assessment

Written on January 20, 2026 in English with a size of 6.7 KB

Part I: Core Leadership Theories and Traits

Which statement about leadership is NOT true, according to current theory?
Answer: Leadership can only emerge through formal authority.
The reasons for the limitations of the theory of leadership traits include all the following EXCEPT:
Answer: The theory is based on a design with little research.
The contingency model of Fiedler's leadership argues that effective groups depend on an appropriate match between:
Answer: The leader's style (relationship orientation) and the degree to which the situation gives control and influence to the leader.
Situational Leadership Theory (SLT) identifies four specific leader behaviors, including:
Answer: Telling, Selling, Participating, and Delegating.
Characteristics of a leader include all the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Providing reward contingency (This is typically associated with transactional management, not inherent leadership characteristics).

Statement: An organization grants managers certain rights and authority based solely on their position.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: Certain features increase the likelihood of success as a leader, but none of them guarantee success.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: The contingency theory of leadership (Fiedler's model) assumes that the leadership style of an individual is variable.
Answer: FALSE (Fiedler assumes leadership style is fixed.)
Statement: The belief that one leadership style will always be effective, regardless of the situation, has been proven correct.
Answer: FALSE
Statement: Leaders who provide intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration are often associated with Transformational Leadership.
Answer: TRUE

In a group setting, effective communication requires that the message is:
Answer: Clearly understood by the receiver.
Features of the organizational grapevine (gossip) include:
Answer: e. All of the above. (Typically referring to speed, lack of formal control, and accuracy variability.)
The process where the source translates the message into symbols is known as:
Answer: Encoding
Which of the following is NOT a factor related to the effectiveness of communication programs within an organization?
Answer: d. A low ratio of bad news compared to good news. (This ratio is often considered a factor in morale and trust.)
While listening, actions such as checking one's watch, arranging papers, or playing with a pen are examples of behaviors that:
Answer: e. Avoid distracting actions or gestures. (The question implies these actions should be avoided.)
A key advantage of electronic communication is:
Answer: a. Greater access and speed of communication.

Statement: Communication does not occur if the intended idea is not perfectly transmitted.
Answer: FALSE (Communication can still occur, even if distorted.)
Statement: Management should ignore the organizational grapevine (gossip) entirely.
Answer: FALSE (Studying the grapevine provides valuable administrative insights.)
Statement: The poor choice of symbols and confusing content are common communication barriers.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: All managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are well informed during organizational changes or critical periods.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: Paraphrasing means repeating exactly what the speaker said, word for word.
Answer: FALSE (Paraphrasing means restating the message in your own words.)
Statement: The phrase "sorry" is interpreted more positively in high-context cultures.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: A gesture that is acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in another.
Answer: TRUE
Statement: In the electronic age, all employees are expected to be proficient in digital communication tools.
Answer: TRUE

Which of the following is NOT a value that encourages effective team performance?
Answer: Encouraging teams to become a "gang of best friends." (This can hinder critical thinking and diversity of opinion.)
A team creates the potential for the organization to generate higher outputs without necessarily increasing inputs.
Answer: c. outputs, inputs.
To perform effectively, a team requires different skills, including:
Answer: e. All of the above. (Typically referring to technical expertise, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.)
The most critical characteristics to determine the reliability of another person are:
Answer: a. Integrity and competence.
A potential downside of diversity within a group is:
Answer: b. Difficulty reaching a single agreement quickly.
Suggestions for re-invigorating mature teams include all the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Providing basic refresher training. (The exception implies this specific option is not the best way to re-invigorate a mature team.)

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