SHRM-CP Competencies Exam
Questions 2023 and Answers
1. Right Answer: C) Explanation: The emergent leadership theory proposes that leaders
can emerge from a group, deriving their power from the group's agreement with this
role. The other leadership theories refer to the ways team leaders use their roles to
produce results and engage, develop, and motivate team members. - ANS-1. A group
has formed to organize the annual company picnic. Because one member has
experience planning a church fall festival, he volunteers to take the helm. The other
employees choose to follow him. Which kind of leadership does this exemplify?
A) Providing detailed directions to subordinates
B) Allowing employees to manage themselves
C) Fulfilling promises and commitments
D) Terminating poor performers and promoting high performers
Right Answer: CExplanation: Leaders must model the values the organization aspires
to, which means being trustworthy and reliable. Effective leaders may not allow all
employees to direct themselves. They provide coaching rather than terminating poor
performers. They provide detailed directions to those who need it. - ANS-2. Which is a
trait of an effective leader?
A) Authoritarian manager
B) Country club manager
C) Impoverished manager
D) Team leader
Right Answer: B Explanation: Managers who exhibit low task, high people (country club)
leadership styles avoid using their authority because they fear that it will jeopardize their
relationships. They try to create a supportive atmosphere and trust that employees will
respond positively. An authoritarian leader emphasizes task, and an impoverished
leader neglects both task and people. A true team leader attends to needs related to
both tasks and people. - ANS-3. A manager uses his skill with people to smooth over
problems and to make his employees feel secure in their positions. According to the
Blake-Mouton theory, what leadership style is the manager using?
A) A. Confront the VP of operations directly with the allegations and demand an
explanation as to why he has behaved inappropriately.
B) B. Respect the friendship with the administrative assistant, honor the request for
privacy on the issue, and not take any action in response to the complaint.
C) C. Have a follow-up discussion with the administrative assistant reassuring her of
protection against retaliation and urging her to formally complain of the behavior.
,D) D. Notify the VP of HR of the allegations so that a formal investigation can begin of
these allegations of harassment.
Right Answer: D Explanation: D is the best response. This is a very delicate situation for
an HR manager, who must fulfill a duty to the organization. Respecting friendship and
honoring other's requests are serious considerations. However, if ignored, claims of
harassment put the organization in a precarious position, with potential liabili - ANS-4.
Refer to the following scenario for the next 2 questions. The administrative assistant to
the vice president of operations confides in the HR manager that the VP has been
making inappropriate advances that have been getting progressively more forward and
aggressive. This has made the administrative assistant uncomfortable, and now she
wants to find a new position in the organization. The administrative assistant and the
HR manager are long-time personal friends, and this information is shared with the HR
manager outside of the work environment, on personal time. While the HR manager
informs the administrative assistant that she should bring a formal complaint, the
administrative assistant is very clear that she is sharing this information as a friend. She
does not want to file a formal complaint out of fear of retaliation. Instead, she asks the
HR manager to help her find a new role so that she can quietly leave h
A) A. Notify the CEO and the organization's attorney, asking to meet to determine
appropriate next steps.
B) B. Initiate the investigation by gathering all the facts about the unlawful harassment
claim.
C) C. Independently speak to the VP of operations and ask if there is any merit to the
claim of unlawful harassment.
D) D. Terminate the VP of operations' employment immediately in order to mitigate any
further risks.
Right Answer: A Explanation: A is the best response. The VP of operations plays a
critical role in the organization and has been identified as a potential successor to the
CEO. Given that this is the second time sexual harassment allegations have been made
against him and that this time there's a threat of a lawsuit, it is important to notify the
CEO and corporate counsel. B is incorrect. It is important to investigate the entire
situation, with all allegations and claims considered equally. C is incorre - ANS-5. The
VP of operations has been identified as one of the top two possibilities to succeed the
current CEO. The VP of HR receives a letter from the attorney of a different employee
that charges the VP of operations and the organization with unlawful harassment.
Which is the best first course of action the HR VP should take?
A) Delegating
B) Selling
C) Telling
D) Participating
Right Answer: C Explanation: The telling leadership style prioritizes the task (providing
direction) over the relationship (creating motivation). Entry-level employees require
leadership that provides structure to project scheduling, methodologies, procedures,
etc. When the new employee gains proficiency, the leader can begin to focus on 'selling'
or motivating. Because the new employee does not possess sufficient experience or
, insight into best practices, he or she cannot adequately participate in joint problem
solving or decision making, which would characterize the participating and delegating
approaches. - ANS-According to the Hersey-Blanchard theory, which is generally the
most suitable situational leadership approach for entry-level employees?
A) Trait theory
B) Behavioral theory
C) Motivational theory
D) Situational leadership theory
Right Answer: DExplanation: The situational leadership theory states that different
leadership styles should be used based on the situation in which managers find
themselves. The trait theory states that leaders possess different traits than average
people do. According to the behavioral theory, how a person behaves determines
leadership effectiveness. The motivational theory looks at the factors causing job
satisfaction and dissatisfaction. - ANS-What leadership theory is characterized by the
belief that managers must use different leadership styles depending on the
circumstances?
A) A. Call the HR manager to discuss the incident, conveying concern that this behavior
is inconsistent with the organization's values and policies.
B) B. Call security to notify them of her pending arrival and request to meet to review
the surveillance coverage.
C) C. Call the local police to request their presence at the site to bring forward charges
of property destruction against the manager.
D) D. Call the site general manager to inform him of the situation, advising that the HR
manager will be terminated.
Right Answer: B Explanation: B is the best response. This call will help assess security's
level of concern regarding site safety and will ensure that they save the tapes of the
incident. A is incorrect. If the HR VP calls the HR manager, the HR manager may
demand that no action be taken. The HR VP will do better by taking appropriate
investigatory action prior to contacting the HR manager. C is incorrect. Hav - ANS-Refer
to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. A vice president (VP) of HR has
responsibility for multiple manufacturing sites and is responsible for teams of HR
managers and generalists that support each location. All locations operate seven days a
week, 24 hours a day. These teams cover all shifts, providing support. Each location is
in the process of rolling out updated policies, including enhancements to the company's
progressive disciplinary process and an ethics policy that focuses on commitment to
mutual respect, ethical decision making, and integrity. One day, after the VP of HR has
left her office, she receives a call from a site HR generalist. The generalist tells the VP
that when he returned from his dinner break, the HR office appeared to have been
ransacked. Books were thrown on the floor, and name tags were torn off doors and
thrown into the trash. The generalist also reports that when securi
A) A. Work with the second shift HR generalist to clean up the damage and destruction
of the HR office.
B) B. Leave the office as is so everyone can see it when they arrive the next day.
Questions 2023 and Answers
1. Right Answer: C) Explanation: The emergent leadership theory proposes that leaders
can emerge from a group, deriving their power from the group's agreement with this
role. The other leadership theories refer to the ways team leaders use their roles to
produce results and engage, develop, and motivate team members. - ANS-1. A group
has formed to organize the annual company picnic. Because one member has
experience planning a church fall festival, he volunteers to take the helm. The other
employees choose to follow him. Which kind of leadership does this exemplify?
A) Providing detailed directions to subordinates
B) Allowing employees to manage themselves
C) Fulfilling promises and commitments
D) Terminating poor performers and promoting high performers
Right Answer: CExplanation: Leaders must model the values the organization aspires
to, which means being trustworthy and reliable. Effective leaders may not allow all
employees to direct themselves. They provide coaching rather than terminating poor
performers. They provide detailed directions to those who need it. - ANS-2. Which is a
trait of an effective leader?
A) Authoritarian manager
B) Country club manager
C) Impoverished manager
D) Team leader
Right Answer: B Explanation: Managers who exhibit low task, high people (country club)
leadership styles avoid using their authority because they fear that it will jeopardize their
relationships. They try to create a supportive atmosphere and trust that employees will
respond positively. An authoritarian leader emphasizes task, and an impoverished
leader neglects both task and people. A true team leader attends to needs related to
both tasks and people. - ANS-3. A manager uses his skill with people to smooth over
problems and to make his employees feel secure in their positions. According to the
Blake-Mouton theory, what leadership style is the manager using?
A) A. Confront the VP of operations directly with the allegations and demand an
explanation as to why he has behaved inappropriately.
B) B. Respect the friendship with the administrative assistant, honor the request for
privacy on the issue, and not take any action in response to the complaint.
C) C. Have a follow-up discussion with the administrative assistant reassuring her of
protection against retaliation and urging her to formally complain of the behavior.
,D) D. Notify the VP of HR of the allegations so that a formal investigation can begin of
these allegations of harassment.
Right Answer: D Explanation: D is the best response. This is a very delicate situation for
an HR manager, who must fulfill a duty to the organization. Respecting friendship and
honoring other's requests are serious considerations. However, if ignored, claims of
harassment put the organization in a precarious position, with potential liabili - ANS-4.
Refer to the following scenario for the next 2 questions. The administrative assistant to
the vice president of operations confides in the HR manager that the VP has been
making inappropriate advances that have been getting progressively more forward and
aggressive. This has made the administrative assistant uncomfortable, and now she
wants to find a new position in the organization. The administrative assistant and the
HR manager are long-time personal friends, and this information is shared with the HR
manager outside of the work environment, on personal time. While the HR manager
informs the administrative assistant that she should bring a formal complaint, the
administrative assistant is very clear that she is sharing this information as a friend. She
does not want to file a formal complaint out of fear of retaliation. Instead, she asks the
HR manager to help her find a new role so that she can quietly leave h
A) A. Notify the CEO and the organization's attorney, asking to meet to determine
appropriate next steps.
B) B. Initiate the investigation by gathering all the facts about the unlawful harassment
claim.
C) C. Independently speak to the VP of operations and ask if there is any merit to the
claim of unlawful harassment.
D) D. Terminate the VP of operations' employment immediately in order to mitigate any
further risks.
Right Answer: A Explanation: A is the best response. The VP of operations plays a
critical role in the organization and has been identified as a potential successor to the
CEO. Given that this is the second time sexual harassment allegations have been made
against him and that this time there's a threat of a lawsuit, it is important to notify the
CEO and corporate counsel. B is incorrect. It is important to investigate the entire
situation, with all allegations and claims considered equally. C is incorre - ANS-5. The
VP of operations has been identified as one of the top two possibilities to succeed the
current CEO. The VP of HR receives a letter from the attorney of a different employee
that charges the VP of operations and the organization with unlawful harassment.
Which is the best first course of action the HR VP should take?
A) Delegating
B) Selling
C) Telling
D) Participating
Right Answer: C Explanation: The telling leadership style prioritizes the task (providing
direction) over the relationship (creating motivation). Entry-level employees require
leadership that provides structure to project scheduling, methodologies, procedures,
etc. When the new employee gains proficiency, the leader can begin to focus on 'selling'
or motivating. Because the new employee does not possess sufficient experience or
, insight into best practices, he or she cannot adequately participate in joint problem
solving or decision making, which would characterize the participating and delegating
approaches. - ANS-According to the Hersey-Blanchard theory, which is generally the
most suitable situational leadership approach for entry-level employees?
A) Trait theory
B) Behavioral theory
C) Motivational theory
D) Situational leadership theory
Right Answer: DExplanation: The situational leadership theory states that different
leadership styles should be used based on the situation in which managers find
themselves. The trait theory states that leaders possess different traits than average
people do. According to the behavioral theory, how a person behaves determines
leadership effectiveness. The motivational theory looks at the factors causing job
satisfaction and dissatisfaction. - ANS-What leadership theory is characterized by the
belief that managers must use different leadership styles depending on the
circumstances?
A) A. Call the HR manager to discuss the incident, conveying concern that this behavior
is inconsistent with the organization's values and policies.
B) B. Call security to notify them of her pending arrival and request to meet to review
the surveillance coverage.
C) C. Call the local police to request their presence at the site to bring forward charges
of property destruction against the manager.
D) D. Call the site general manager to inform him of the situation, advising that the HR
manager will be terminated.
Right Answer: B Explanation: B is the best response. This call will help assess security's
level of concern regarding site safety and will ensure that they save the tapes of the
incident. A is incorrect. If the HR VP calls the HR manager, the HR manager may
demand that no action be taken. The HR VP will do better by taking appropriate
investigatory action prior to contacting the HR manager. C is incorrect. Hav - ANS-Refer
to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. A vice president (VP) of HR has
responsibility for multiple manufacturing sites and is responsible for teams of HR
managers and generalists that support each location. All locations operate seven days a
week, 24 hours a day. These teams cover all shifts, providing support. Each location is
in the process of rolling out updated policies, including enhancements to the company's
progressive disciplinary process and an ethics policy that focuses on commitment to
mutual respect, ethical decision making, and integrity. One day, after the VP of HR has
left her office, she receives a call from a site HR generalist. The generalist tells the VP
that when he returned from his dinner break, the HR office appeared to have been
ransacked. Books were thrown on the floor, and name tags were torn off doors and
thrown into the trash. The generalist also reports that when securi
A) A. Work with the second shift HR generalist to clean up the damage and destruction
of the HR office.
B) B. Leave the office as is so everyone can see it when they arrive the next day.
