, Question 1
A leader consistently uses a communication style that is high in assertiveness
but low in empathy. According to Goleman's emotional intelligence
framework, which competency is most critically underdeveloped, and what is
the likely impact on team psychological safety?
A. Self-awareness; team members will become overly dependent on
leader direction.
B. Social awareness; team members will hesitate to voice concerns or
take interpersonal risks.
C. Self-regulation; team members will mirror the leader's assertiveness
and escalate conflict.
D. Relationship management; team members will compete for the leader's
attention.
Correct Answer: B - Social awareness; team members will
hesitate to voice concerns or take interpersonal risks.
RATIONALE
Social awareness-especially empathy-is the EI competency that
enables a leader to read and respond to others' emotional states. Its
absence erodes psychological safety, making team members reluctant
to speak up. The other options misattribute the deficit or predict less
directly supported outcomes.
Question 2
In a cross-functional team, two senior members disagree on a technical
approach. The leader asks each to state the other's position to the other's
satisfaction before offering their own rebuttal. Which conflict resolution
technique is being employed, and what is its primary theoretical benefit?
A. Collaborating; it integrates both parties' concerns into a win-win
solution.
B. Compromising; it ensures each party concedes equally to reach a
Page 2
, middle ground.
C. Perspective-taking; it reduces egocentric bias and promotes mutual
understanding.
D. Avoiding; it temporarily diffuses tension to allow emotions to cool.
Correct Answer: C - Perspective-taking; it reduces egocentric
bias and promotes mutual understanding.
RATIONALE
The technique requires each party to accurately restate the other's
view, which is a structured form of perspective-taking. This reduces
egocentric bias and fosters mutual understanding, a precursor to
integrative negotiation. Collaborating and compromising describe
outcome orientations, not the reflective restatement method.
Question 3
A leader must deliver a vision that challenges the status quo but also
acknowledges the emotional and operational costs of change. Which
combination of leadership communication behaviors best aligns with Kotter's
model and Bridges' transition framework?
A. Sense of urgency and coalition building, followed by empathetic
acknowledgment of loss.
B. Directive instruction and reward alignment, followed by rapid
implementation timelines.
C. Participative decision-making and consensus voting, followed by
celebration of quick wins.
D. Data-driven persuasion and competitive benchmarking, followed by
structural reorganization.
Correct Answer: A - Sense of urgency and coalition building,
followed by empathetic acknowledgment of loss.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Kotter's model begins with urgency and coalition building, while
Bridges emphasizes the emotional transition and acknowledgment of
loss. Combining these addresses both the rational and emotional
dimensions of change. The other options omit the crucial empathetic
acknowledgment or missequence the steps.
Question 4
During a team meeting, a member repeatedly interrupts and dismisses others'
ideas. The leader responds by saying, 'I notice we're not hearing all
perspectives; let's pause and ensure everyone has a chance to contribute.'
Which communication strategy is the leader primarily using?
A. Confrontation; directly challenging the interrupting member's
behavior.
B. Meta-communication; commenting on the process of communication
itself.
C. Paraphrasing; restating the interrupter's point to show listening.
D. Assertiveness; stating the leader's own needs and boundaries.
Correct Answer: B - Meta-communication; commenting on the
process of communication itself.
RATIONALE
Meta-communication involves talking about the communication
process, which is exactly what the leader does by highlighting the
pattern of interruption and redirecting to inclusion. Confrontation and
assertiveness focus on individual behavior, while paraphrasing would
restate content, not process.
Question 5
A leader is preparing to give feedback to a high-performing but defensive
employee. Which approach best reflects the principles of 'radical candor' and
minimizes defensive reactions?
Page 4
A leader consistently uses a communication style that is high in assertiveness
but low in empathy. According to Goleman's emotional intelligence
framework, which competency is most critically underdeveloped, and what is
the likely impact on team psychological safety?
A. Self-awareness; team members will become overly dependent on
leader direction.
B. Social awareness; team members will hesitate to voice concerns or
take interpersonal risks.
C. Self-regulation; team members will mirror the leader's assertiveness
and escalate conflict.
D. Relationship management; team members will compete for the leader's
attention.
Correct Answer: B - Social awareness; team members will
hesitate to voice concerns or take interpersonal risks.
RATIONALE
Social awareness-especially empathy-is the EI competency that
enables a leader to read and respond to others' emotional states. Its
absence erodes psychological safety, making team members reluctant
to speak up. The other options misattribute the deficit or predict less
directly supported outcomes.
Question 2
In a cross-functional team, two senior members disagree on a technical
approach. The leader asks each to state the other's position to the other's
satisfaction before offering their own rebuttal. Which conflict resolution
technique is being employed, and what is its primary theoretical benefit?
A. Collaborating; it integrates both parties' concerns into a win-win
solution.
B. Compromising; it ensures each party concedes equally to reach a
Page 2
, middle ground.
C. Perspective-taking; it reduces egocentric bias and promotes mutual
understanding.
D. Avoiding; it temporarily diffuses tension to allow emotions to cool.
Correct Answer: C - Perspective-taking; it reduces egocentric
bias and promotes mutual understanding.
RATIONALE
The technique requires each party to accurately restate the other's
view, which is a structured form of perspective-taking. This reduces
egocentric bias and fosters mutual understanding, a precursor to
integrative negotiation. Collaborating and compromising describe
outcome orientations, not the reflective restatement method.
Question 3
A leader must deliver a vision that challenges the status quo but also
acknowledges the emotional and operational costs of change. Which
combination of leadership communication behaviors best aligns with Kotter's
model and Bridges' transition framework?
A. Sense of urgency and coalition building, followed by empathetic
acknowledgment of loss.
B. Directive instruction and reward alignment, followed by rapid
implementation timelines.
C. Participative decision-making and consensus voting, followed by
celebration of quick wins.
D. Data-driven persuasion and competitive benchmarking, followed by
structural reorganization.
Correct Answer: A - Sense of urgency and coalition building,
followed by empathetic acknowledgment of loss.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Kotter's model begins with urgency and coalition building, while
Bridges emphasizes the emotional transition and acknowledgment of
loss. Combining these addresses both the rational and emotional
dimensions of change. The other options omit the crucial empathetic
acknowledgment or missequence the steps.
Question 4
During a team meeting, a member repeatedly interrupts and dismisses others'
ideas. The leader responds by saying, 'I notice we're not hearing all
perspectives; let's pause and ensure everyone has a chance to contribute.'
Which communication strategy is the leader primarily using?
A. Confrontation; directly challenging the interrupting member's
behavior.
B. Meta-communication; commenting on the process of communication
itself.
C. Paraphrasing; restating the interrupter's point to show listening.
D. Assertiveness; stating the leader's own needs and boundaries.
Correct Answer: B - Meta-communication; commenting on the
process of communication itself.
RATIONALE
Meta-communication involves talking about the communication
process, which is exactly what the leader does by highlighting the
pattern of interruption and redirecting to inclusion. Confrontation and
assertiveness focus on individual behavior, while paraphrasing would
restate content, not process.
Question 5
A leader is preparing to give feedback to a high-performing but defensive
employee. Which approach best reflects the principles of 'radical candor' and
minimizes defensive reactions?
Page 4
