Q&A Hero

Q: The pathgoal theory of leadership suggests that the primary activity of a leader is to make desirable and achievable rewards available to organization members who attain organizational goals.

Q: A considerate leader would be more effective than a structuring leader when the leader-member relations are good, the task structure is weak, and the leader position power is weak.

Q: Task structure is determined by the extent to which a leader has control over the rewards and punishments followers receive.

Q: Fiedler's contingency theory proposes that leaders should change their styles to match the situation.

Q: An inexperienced man has just been hired as a salesperson in a men's clothing store. According to the life cycle theory, a low-task/high-relationship style of leadership should be maintained to effectively manage this person.

Q: Follower maturity, as defined by the HerseyBlanchard life cycle theory, is not necessarily linked to chronological age.

Q: Pygmalion effect is observed when the leaders display job centered behavior rather than being employee centered.

Q: Consideration behavior is any leadership activity that delineates the relationship between the leader and the leader's followers.

Q: The OSU studies concluded that leaders exhibit two main types of behavior, structure behavior and consideration behavior.

Q: A major drawback of the VYJ model is that it cannot be used for determining when a leader should use which decision style.

Q: In the AII decision style, presented in the VYJ model, manager and subordinates meet as a group to discuss the situation, but the manager makes the decision.

Q: The Vroom-Yetton-Jago Model is built on the premises that organizational decisions should be of high quality and subordinates should accept and be committed to organizational decisions that are made.

Q: The move from a boss-centered style to a subordinate-centered style means some loss of certainty about how problems should be solved.

Q: A manager who permits the group to make decisions within prescribed limits appears at the center of Tannenbaum and Schmidt leadership continuum and is considered moderately democratic.

Q: According to Tannenbaum and Schmidt, managers who sell decisions can be called subordinate-centered.

Q: The trait approach to leadership proposes that leaders are made, not born.

Q: A manager makes sure the job gets done whereas a leader cares about and focuses on the people who do the job.

Q: Managerial ability, rather than leadership, is a prerequisite for organizational success.

Q: Enlist the ten commandments of effective listening.

Q: Formal organizational communication is more important that informal organizational communication. Why?

Q: Managers should prevent the flow of grapevine. Do you think this argument is valid? Explain your answer.

Q: What are the major characteristics of organizational grapevine?

Q: Mark is the CEO of a leading FMCG company. He wants to encourage greater upward communication in the organization. What are some of the ways in which he can do this?

Q: What is the importance of lateral communication in an organization?

Q: Describe formal communication and explain the three basic types of formal communication.

Q: What is the importance of non-verbal messages in a communicative process?

Q: Explain the difference between communication macrobarriers and communication microbarriers. Give an example of each.

Q: Explain how interpersonal communication works.

Q: What is emotional intelligence? Why is it important in organizations?

Q: Which of the following helps managers encourage the flow of formal organizational communication? A) Make sure leaders sending messages are trusted by the workforce. B) Discourage informal communication channels such as the grapevine. C) Allow everyone to communicate rather than giving specific responsibilities. D) Limit the access to communication channels by proper monitoring. E) Use elaborate statements instead of concise statements.

Q: An effective listener should go easy on arguments and criticism because being critical ________. A) reduces the importance of the conversation B) is a symptom of unreceptive communication C) puts the talker on the defensive D) creates a permissive environment for the speaker E) is a sign of distraction

Q: Which of the following instructions is considered the first and last commandment of good listening, because all other commandments depend on it? A) remove distractions B) stop talking C) hold your temper D) show the talker you want to listen E) be patient

Q: Malcolm, an accounts clerk, is all set to make a presentation on how his team can improve their productivity by changing certain work practices. His manager asks the employees not to be too critical of Mark's suggestions and to avoid arguing with him. The manager most likely said this because being critical ________. A) will increase the amount of time Mark will need to finish his presentation B) will only annoy the other people attending the presentation C) will put Malcolm on the defensive D) will confuse people about the ideas and suggestion put forth E) will reduce the level of group cohesiveness

Q: Sandra finds out that a rumor about her is doing the rounds in the officeshe supposedly had a rift with her manager over her performance review and is now planning to quit the company. Though completely untrue, she sets out to find out the person who started the rumor. She confronts several of her colleagues about the matter and everyone tells her that they heard it from Sheela, her boss's secretary. This is an example of the ________ grapevine. A) single-strand B) gossip C) probability D) serial E) cluster

Q: Henry just heard a rumor from one of his coworkers. He immediately goes out to the water cooler and passes the information on to the first person who happens to walk by. This is an example of the ________ grapevine. A) single-strand B) gossip C) probability D) cluster E) leader-centered

Q: Mark finds out that his colleague, Mae, will soon be quitting the company and joining a rival firm. He immediately passes this information on to his team mate Josh, who tells Craig, who in turn mentions it to his secretary. In this way the message spreads from one person to the next, until the entire department knows about it. This is an example of the ________ grapevine. A) serial B) single-strand C) gossip D) probability E) cluster

Q: How can managers promote formal organizational communication? A) by listening attentively to messages that come through formal channels B) by eliminating informal communication channels in the organization C) by instituting a circular pattern of organizational communication D) by strictly regulating employee access to formal communication channels E) by using low involvement channels instead of high involvement channels

Q: In which of the following grapevine patterns does information travel only to selected individuals? A) single-strand B) gossip C) probability D) serial E) cluster

Q: In which of the following grapevine patterns do grapevine members communicate randomly with one another? A) probability B) gossip C) single-strand D) cluster E) group

Q: Employee A passes information to everyone else on the grapevine. This pattern is known as the ________ grapevine. A) gossip B) cluster C) single-strand D) probability E) serial

Q: Which of the following grapevine patterns tends to distort messages the most? A) gossip B) probability C) single-strand D) cluster E) group

Q: One of the characteristics of the grapevine is that it ________. A) is usually controlled and monitored by managers B) springs up and is used regularly within the organization C) usually follows an upward communication channel D) is heavily influenced by the top executives of an organization E) exists largely to serve the self-interests of the people within it

Q: Which of the following is the major reason for the establishment of informal communication networks? A) lack of formal organizational communication channels B) desire for information that is not furnished formally C) inability of managers to communicate effectively D) vertical nature of the organizational structure E) lack of necessary rules and regulations within the organization

Q: Organizational communication that does not follow the lines of the organizational chart is specifically called ________. A) lateral communication B) upward communication C) vertical communication D) informal communication E) downward communication

Q: WePharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Mara Alarcon, the CEO of the company, insists that employees communicate only through formal channels. Despite these restrictions, she observes many informal networks within the organization. Which of the following is the most likely reason for establishment of these informal networks? A) WePharma takes employee suggestions very seriously. B) WePharma lacks the necessary rules and regulations to control employees. C) WePharma has a vertical organizational structure. D) WePharma does not freely share information with its employees. E) WePharma promotes an open-door policy.

Q: The members of a company's marketing team regularly meet with their peers from the R&D department to share information and insights on customer product preferences that they have gathered through market research. This is an example of which of the following types of communication? A) upward B) vertical C) virtual D) downward E) lateral

Q: Which of the following is true regarding the circular pattern of organizational communication? A) The information conveyed is highly accurate. B) Information is disseminated at a very slow pace. C) It provides stability to the organization. D) Employee morale tends to be poor. E) The presence of a leader is highly evident.

Q: Which of the following is a formal organization communication pattern that involves passing information from one individual to another in a sequence? A) lateral communication B) parallel conversations C) serial transmission D) grapevine E) chainmail

Q: The head of the HR department meets with the head of the production department to discuss the production team's staffing needs for the next two quarters. This is an example of ________. A) upward communication B) downward communication C) informal communication D) lateral communication E) external communication

Q: Only through ________ can departmental relationships be coordinated well enough to enhance the attainment of management system objectives. A) upward communication B) lateral communication C) downward communication D) informal communication networks E) internal upward communication

Q: Which of the following is most likely to encourage upward formal communication? A) performance reviews B) position descriptions C) closed-door policies D) suggestion systems E) grapevine

Q: Many organizations implement grievance procedures to assist employees. Such procedures are an example of ________. A) downward communication B) upward communication C) collaborative communication D) lateral communication E) parallel communication

Q: American Visual Network, Inc., a media and entertainment company, is involved in the production, distribution, and marketing of television programs and Internet broadcasting. The company uses various techniques to promote internal communication. Which of the following programs of the company is an example of upward communication? A) The company describes its management objectives on its Web site. B) The management philosophy is communicated to employees through training manuals. C) The company conducts an attitude survey to understand employees' opinion of the management. D) The company conducts a collaborative training program to improve coordination between different departments. E) Product training programs are conducted for newly recruited employees.

Q: Carolyn joins Arbitrar Consultants as a sales trainee. Her manager sends her an e-mail outlining her role and responsibilities and the specific tasks she will be in charge of at the company. This is an example of ________ communication. A) upward B) parallel C) downward D) horizontal E) lateral

Q: Which of the following is a common downward organizational communication tool? A) position descriptions B) grievance procedures C) attitude surveys D) suggestion systems E) socialization programs

Q: Organizational philosophy is primarily conveyed through ________. A) upward communication B) lateral communication C) downward communication D) horizontal communication E) informal communication

Q: Organizational communication that follows the lines of the organization chart is called ________. A) connective communication B) ceremonial communication C) formal organizational communication D) nonverbal communication E) collaborative communication

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding nonverbal communication? A) It is highly consistent with verbal communication. B) It has little influence on the total effect of communication. C) It cannot be used to encode and transmit thoughts. D) Verbal and nonverbal communications are not mutually exclusive in most cases. E) Contrary to popular belief, nonverbal communication does not include vocal tones.

Q: Which of the following is an example of nonverbal form of communication? A) words used in e-mails B) tone used in conference calls C) words used in indirect communication D) a performance appraisal report E) language of communication

Q: George is the human resources manager of a small scale manufacturing company. Which of the following is the best example of nonverbal communication? A) He sends an angry e-mail to one of the employees. B) He uses a loud tone when speaking with a group of employees. C) He uses words with implicit meanings when he talks to subordinates. D) He prepares a performance appraisal report for one of the employees. E) He uses harsh words during a meeting with one of his co-workers.

Q: Peterson is a salesperson. He considers nonverbal feedback to be extremely important when making a sales presentation. He can gather nonverbal feedback by ________. A) providing the customer with visual aids instead of speaking to them B) asking the customer to fill up a feedback form at the end of the presentation C) repeating the message and asking for specific feedback D) paying attention to the customer's facial expressions and gestures E) using sales tests and trial closes that help to assess a situation

Q: Which of the following observations is consistent with the "ten commandments of good communication"? A) All communications should be planned by the sender alone. B) Focus more on the content than the overtones in communication. C) Avoid communication if the receiver cannot perceive it correctly. D) Always plan communications with the past in mind. E) Convey as much information as possible in each communication.

Q: Which of the following is considered the first step toward effective communication? A) clarifying the idea or problem to be communicated B) examining the true purpose of communication C) consulting with others in planning communication D) identifying actions that support the message being communicated E) understanding the total physical and human setting

Q: Which of the following should the source do to gather nonverbal feedback? A) observe the destination's gestures and facial expressions B) ask the destination questions about the message C) repeat the message and ask for specific feedback D) ask the destination about how the message was perceived E) use tests and procedures that suit the situation

Q: You are the manager of a legal consulting firm. Which of the following is an example of microbarrier of communication that you are likely to come across? A) The firm has several international clients who speak different languages and have different cultures. B) The legal data that your firm processes on a daily basis is increasingly becoming more complex. C) The firm must keep abreast of the frequent changes that are made to laws and regulations in order to remain competitive. D) The firm is forced to maintain a highly efficient information system to be able to access timely and accurate information E) The firm's clients incorrectly perceive the information that is provided to them.

Q: What is the major purpose of feedback in the communication process? A) It is used by the source to ensure successful communication. B) It can be used to boost the legitimate power of managers. C) It provides formal documentation of the communication process. D) It helps the source avoid questions from the destination. E) It fosters lateral communication in the organization.

Q: ________ is the destination's reaction to a message. A) Perception B) Feedback C) Channeling D) Signaling E) Grapevine

Q: To minimize the negative effects of the perceptual differences of receivers on interpersonal communication, managers should ________. A) use verbal communication instead of visual communication B) communicate only when they have the total attention of the destination C) try to send messages with precise meanings D) preferably communicate using casual terms and references E) use low involvement channels for communication

Q: Which of the following is considered a microbarrier to organizational communication? A) need for better information B) need to learn new concepts C) need to learn new languages D) need to process complex information E) individuals' perception of messages

Q: Which of the following is an example of a macrobarrier when a manager communicates with his or her subordinates? A) The manager considers the subordinates to be irresponsible and unprofessional. B) The subordinates have a strong negative attitude toward the manager. C) The subordinates constitute a diverse population and speak different languages. D) The manager uses words that have multiple meanings. E) The manager is a specialist in information technology and tends to use technical jargon.

Q: NTR Technologies is a leading publishing company. The company has operations in twenty seven countries spread across four continents. Because of the magnitude of the company's operations, it faces many communication challenges. One major challenge facing the organization is the increasing need for updated information. Some of the statistics that the company publishes in books become outdated even before the books reach its customers. The company, on an average, makes 25 percent changes in content when releasing editions of books. Which of the following is most similar to the communication problem faced by NTR? A) Altratex Apparels, an exporter in the United States, faces problems when communicating with the employees and customers in the developing countries due to noisy telephonic channels. B) Arthur is the manager of a software company that creates application software. He feels under pressure to learn and adapt to newer technological advancements governing the software industry. C) RFX International, a multinational company, was recently involved in an accounting scandal; the company's customers do not trust the company's marketing messages anymore. D) RBR Products, a retail chain in the United States, faces problems in designing its marketing messages as a majority of its customers are uneducated and live in rural areas. E) Textron Technologies, a multinational electronic manufacturer, uses visual oriented advertisements to overcome language barriers. However, these messages are often perceived in the wrong way by its target customers.

Q: Which of the following is a communication macrobarrier? A) need for complex information B) destination's view of the source C) message interference D) receivers' perception E) multimeaning words

Q: Which of the following is the most complete and accurate description of communication barriers? A) factors that decrease the probability that communication will be successful B) aspects that allow unwanted entities to participate in the communication process C) external stimuli that interfere with transmission of messages from the sender to the receiver D) innate factors in the receiver that influence the interpretation of a message E) attributes that lead to environmental noise and organizational stress

Q: You are speaking to one of your professors. You tell the professor that you are satisfied with the grades that you have received. In this communication situation you are a(n) ________. A) encoder B) message channel C) signal channel D) decoder E) receiver

Q: ________ is the process of converting messages back into information. A) Decoding B) Encoding C) Derivation D) Paraphrasing E) Rewording

Q: A signal refers to ________. A) a decoded message with the receiver B) the medium used to encode a message C) a nonverbal clue provided by a communicator D) the medium used to transmit a message E) a message transmitted from one person to another

Q: Encoded information the source intends to share with another person is called a(n) ________. A) rumor B) message C) signal D) medium E) code

Q: The person in the interpersonal communication situation who originates and encodes information to be shared with another person is called the ________. A) presenter B) channel C) administrator D) medium E) source

Q: ________ is the process of sharing information with other individuals. A) Delegation B) Communication C) Allocation D) Authorization E) Distribution

Q: Which of the following terms best represents the capacity of people to recognize their own feelings and the feelings of others, to motivate themselves, and to manage their own feelings as well as the feelings in relationships with others? A) consideration B) interpersonal skills C) compassion D) emotional intelligence E) assertiveness