Deck 13: Overcoming Politics, Negativity, and Conflict in the Workplace

Question 1

Internal politics consists of the games people play to promote decisions that are based on criteria other than merit.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Internal politics occurs when individuals put the organization's goals ahead of their own.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Power is the ability to exert influence.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

There are certain organizational structures that tend to prevent internal politics.

Question 5

Conflict management means resolving conflict whenever it is detrimental and initiating it when necessary to overcome stagnation in an organization.

Question 6

One definition of corporate culture is the way things are done in an organization.

Question 7

The Achilles Heel of the geographic structure with regard to internal politics is:

A) Individual goals of the division managers
B) The CEOs persona agenda
C) Distance
D) East/west and north/south conflict

Question 8

A strategy used by internal politics that involves the sharing and/or selective withholding of information is:

A) Coalition building
B) Lobbying
C) Electioneering
D) Spreading of rumors and gossip

Question 9

Bringing together people who have a common cause or goal is a strategy of internal politicians known as:

A) Electioneering
B) Lobbying
C) Coalition building
D) Rumor mongering

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT typically an effect of internal politics in an organization?

A) Loss of morale
B) Counterproductive internal competition
C) Loss of quality, competitiveness, and customers
D) Enhanced competitiveness

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for preventing internal politics?

A) Explaining the strategic plan to all employees
B) Rewarding employees who win in internal competition situations
C) Leadership by example
D) Encouraging a customer focus

Question 12

Which of the following situations indicates that conflict should be stimulated?

A) When employees always agree and tell managers what they want to hear
B) Employees willingly admit their mistakes
C) The turnover rate is unusually high
D) Employees avoid proposing new ideas