Deck 11: Professionalism at Work: Business Etiquette, Ethics, Teamwork, and Meetings

Question 1

You recently chaired a team implementing new federal confidentiality requirements. After implementation, you must evaluate each team member's performance. Which of the following suggestions about giving constructive criticism is not accurate?

A) Use language that focuses on improvement instead of problems.
B) To show more compassion, be as vague as possible.
C) Ask the team members for feedback.
D) Discuss the behavior, not the person.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which statement about professionalism is most accurate?

A) Professionalism refers to those behaviors exhibited only to customers.
B) Professionalism describes desirable workplace behavior.
C) Professionalism emphasizes hard skills or technical knowledge desired by employers.
D) Professionalism is important only in large companies.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following statements about professionalism is most accurate?

A) Demonstrating etiquette is important in the office and online.
B) No correlation exists between professional behavior and workplace success.
C) Employees must demonstrate professional behavior only when communicating face-to-face with others.
D) Professionalism is important for employees in only Fortune 500 companies.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

To use your voice effectively,

A) speak in a relaxed, controlled, well-pitched voice at about 125 words per minute.
B) overemphasize all words to guarantee audience understanding.
C) avoid listening to educated individuals to retain your speaking uniqueness.
D) keep the same volume and rate while speaking.

Question 5

Jue understands that soft skills and professional polish will ensure her long-term success on the job. Which of the following is not a soft skill?

A) A grasp of workplace etiquette
B) An eagerness to learn
C) The ability to work effectively as part of a team
D) Proficiency in using a variety of computer software packages

Question 6

How do recruiters and employers view the importance of professional behavior in the workplace?

A) Although recruiters are impressed with applicants who speak and write well, a candidate's technical expertise is all that matters.
B) Good manners and a businesslike, professional demeanor are among the top skills recruiters seek in applicants.
C) Professionalism and soft skills are important only in service-oriented fields.
D) Team, communication, and people skills are low priorities for most recruiters and employers.

Question 7

Saying words correctly and clearly with the accepted sounds and accented syllables reflects

A) rate.
B) pitch.
C) vocal quality.
D) proper pronunciation.

Question 8

An awareness of courtesy and etiquette

A) will ensure one's popularity in an office setting.
B) is not important to hiring managers.
C) is needed for only high-level business executives.
D) can improve an individual's chances of being hired and promoted.

Question 9

Which of the following statement best provides constructive criticism?

A) You seem to think that you can submit any kind of work and that it doesn't matter.
B) Your work is often shoddy.
C) Producing inferior work often causes this company to lose time and money.
D) You need to produce work that meets this company's standards.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the power of the human voice is most accurate?

A) The voice sends only verbal messages to receivers.
B) Individuals can learn to change their voice to make it more effective and powerful.
C) No correlation exists between the voice and perceived authority and trust.
D) All answer choices are accurate statements about the human voice.

Question 11

The best definition of uptalk is

A) a flat or monotonous delivery.
B) a rising inflection at the end of a sentence that makes statements sound like questions.
C) self-gratifying comments to make you appear better than others.
D) an unnaturally quick speaking pattern.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about face-to-face communication is most accurate?

A) Face-to-face communication is the least rich communication channel.
B) Face-to-face communication increases the likelihood of misunderstandings.
C) Face-to-face conversations reduce cooperation and limit problem solving during conflict.
D) Face-to-face interaction is the most effective of all communication channels.

Question 13

You are in a meeting receiving your performance review and are surprised that your supervisor has offered you many suggestions for improvement. How should you react to the criticism?

A) Interrupt your supervisor frequently to comment on his or her suggestions so that you don't miss giving feedback on anything.
B) To avoid any type of confrontation with your supervisor, agree with all comments made.
C) Try to deflect blame for anything negative said to others in your department.
D) Ask for clarification of comments when necessary.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about workplace criticism is most accurate?

A) When receiving criticism, individuals should focus on their feelings rather than on the content of the criticism.
B) Most individuals like to give and receive criticism.
C) Giving and receiving criticism is a normal occurrence in the business world.
D) In today's workplace, only managers must give criticism.

Question 15

Stephen is starting a new job and wants to demonstrate that he is a professional employee. What advice should he follow?

A) Never apologize for errors or misunderstandings because doing so calls attention to them.
B) Show up a few minutes late every so often to show that he isn't an overzealous employee.
C) Avoid compromising with others.
D) Exercise self-control and keep personal opinions of people private.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about professionalism in the workplace is most accurate?

A) Unprofessional behavior affects only the individual who displays it.
B) More organizations are establishing procedures or policies to encourage professionalism.
C) Employees need to exhibit professional behavior only when working at their desks.
D) You exhibit professional behavior only through nonverbal actions such as dressing appropriately or maintaining eye contact with others.

Question 17

A synonym for professionalism is

A) hard skills.
B) social acceptance.
C) business etiquette.
D) diversity.

Question 18

Professional behavior is comprised of six dimensions, including courtesy and respect, appearance and appeal, tolerance and tact, honesty and ethics, reliability and diligence, and

A) soft and hard skills.
B) self-actualization and self-control.
C) sharing and collegiality.
D) education and training.

Question 19

Richard wants to prove that he is diligent and reliable. What is the best advice you can give him?

A) Put all focus on his job and avoid volunteering his services to a worthy community or charity group.
B) Avoid apologizing for any errors.
C) Honor his commitments and keep promises.
D) Avoid any interaction with coworkers so that he stays focused on his job.

Question 20

Which of the following is the best advice regarding workplace conversation?

A) To personalize your conversations, always use first names when addressing supervisors, customers, and coworkers.
B) Be courteous and attentive when conversing with managers, colleagues, subordinates, and customers.
C) Bring up controversial topics such as politics or religion as often as possible to show your intelligence.
D) To demonstrate that you are human, feel free to complain about your colleagues, friends, and job when you need to vent.

Question 21

Which of the following statements about teams in today's business is most accurate?

A) Teams can be effective in solving problems and in developing new products.
B) Today's teams collaborate only face-to-face.
C) Effective soft skills are not necessary when collaborating in teams.
D) Teams are rarely used in today's business environment.

Question 22

In what phase of team development do members select alternatives, analyze effects, implement their plan, and manage their project?

A) Forming
B) Norming
C) Storming
D) Performing

Question 23

Which of the following is the best advice to follow when placing a business phone call?

A) Use professional vocabulary and courteous language.
B) Realize that the responsibility for ending a call lies with the caller.
C) In the introduction of the phone call, name the person you are calling, identify yourself and your affiliation, and give a brief explanation of your reason for calling.
D) All answer choices are good tips to follow when placing business phone calls.

Question 24

The most successful workplace teams

A) agree on a purpose and procedures.
B) are homogeneous.
C) avoid conflict.
D) work independently.

Question 25

Which of the following statements about workplace teams is most accurate?

A) Teams tend to respond more slowly to competition or problem solving.
B) Because conflict often results, teams tend to have decreased productivity.
C) Team members who are involved in the decision-making process show less resistance to change.
D) Individuals tend to make better decisions than teams.

Question 26

Which of the following is the best example of a response when answering calls for others?

A) Annette is currently participating in an important budget meeting with our board of directors.
B) We're not really sure where Annette is right now, but she'll return your call immediately whenever she gets back.
C) Annette has run down to the ladies' room for a few minutes, but she should be back soon.
D) Annette is away from her desk, but I will give her your message when she returns.

Question 27

Shawn needs to record his outgoing message on his voice mail system. Which of the following outgoing messages is most professional?

A) Hi! I'm sorry I missed your call. Please leave a brief message after the tone.
B) This is Shawn. I'm not available right now. But if you leave a message, I promise to call you back. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and the best time to return your call.
C) Your call is important to me. Please leave your name and number so that I can return your call promptly.
D) Hi! You have reached the voice mail of Shawn Berg of Juarez Accounting. I am currently away from my phone but will return by 2 p.m. Please call back then. Thank you for calling.

Question 28

What is the first thing you should do before making a business telephone call?

A) Prepare an appropriate opening.
B) Ask yourself if the phone call is necessary.
C) Decide what you're going to say after the receiver answers.
D) Write down the ideas you want to discuss so that you don't forget them.

Question 29

What term describes groups of people who collaborate with one another to accomplish a shared task across space, time, and organizational boundaries using technology?

A) Blogs
B) Virtual teams
C) Team players
D) Social networking

Question 30

In what phase of team development do teams select members, become acquainted, build trust, and form a collaborative culture?

A) Storming
B) Forming
C) Norming
D) Performing

Question 31

Leticia has called a client and received his voice mail. What is the best advice you can give Leticia for leaving a message?

A) Hang up and call back later; her client won't want to be bothered with having to listen to a message.
B) Speak as quickly as possible to make her message more concise.
C) Smile when leaving her message to add warmth to her voice.
D) Leave a complete message, including confidential details about the project Leticia is working on, to make her message as useful as possible.

Question 32

Which of the following would probably best help a group achieve its goal?

A) Competition
B) Individual leadership
C) Emphasis on individualism
D) Active listening skills

Question 33

Which of the following statements about phones and phone usage in today's businesses is most accurate?

A) Phones are not an important communication tool in today's business offices.
B) The telephone has been replaced by e-mail as the No. 1 communication channel.
C) Effective business communicators know how to use phones productively, efficiently, and professionally.
D) Today's offices do not come equipped with phones.

Question 34

Which of the following is the best advice to follow when dealing with conflict in a team?

A) Look for areas of mutual agreement.
B) To promote individuality, focus on the person rather than the task.
C) Do not allow team members to speak their minds because too many ideas could prevent the group from reaching its goal.
D) Avoid conflict completely and let the chips fall where they may.

Question 35

Which of the following is the best advice to follow when receiving telephone calls for others?

A) Identify your colleague's whereabouts if you are answering his or her phone.
B) Guarantee the caller that your colleague will return the call within a few hours.
C) Verify telephone numbers and spelling of names when taking messages.
D) Find your coworker immediately and report that he or she has an incoming call.

Question 36

The benefits of voice mail include eliminating unnecessary chit chat, telephone tag, inaccurate messages, and

A) time zone barriers.
B) the need for written messages.
C) the necessity of a cordial, friendly greeting.
D) prompt responses.

Question 37

Which of the following demonstrates the best example when answering a telephone call?

A) This is Beth. May I help you?
B) Precision Integrations. What's on your mind?
C) Hello. What can I do for you?
D) Thanks for calling Precision Integrations. This is Beth Dittmer. How may I help you today?

Question 38

Elisha has just started a new job and must use a cell phone to communicate with coworkers and customers. What advice should she follow to demonstrate professional cell phone use?

A) Talk openly and freely on her cell phone in any location and at any time.
B) Select a unique ringtone such as the music and lyrics to her favorite song so that she can recognize when her phone is ringing.
C) Speak louder so that her receiver can hear her and her ideas.
D) Screen incoming calls if she is busy.

Question 39

Which of the following would have a negative impact on a group?

A) Encouraging members to partcipate
B) Setting rules and abiding by them
C) Analyzing tasks and defining problems
D) Failing to stay on task

Question 40

What is the ideal number of participants for most groups?

A) Two
B) Four to five
C) Ten
D) There is no "ideal" number; more is always better.

Question 41

Companies use virtual meetings to

A) save travel costs.
B) reduce employee fatigue.
C) connect dispersed participants.
D) All answer choices provide reasons companies use virtual meetings.

Question 42

Which of the following should be included in the minutes of a meeting?

A) Action items
B) Date and time of meeting
C) Participants' names
D) All answer choices are items that should be included in the minutes of a meeting.

Question 43

When the purpose of your meeting is to solve an intense problem, what is the recommended number of meeting participants?

A) Five or fewer
B) Ten or fewer
C) Thirty or fewer
D) An unlimited number of participants

Question 44

Jeff will be leading a virtual team meeting. What should he do to make certain that the meeting runs smoothly and professionally?

A) Send text messages and check his e-mail during the meeting.
B) Ensure that the technology is working for all participants before the meeting starts.
C) Discourage any chitchat among team members before or after the meeting.
D) Set the meeting time using Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Question 45

Although you will be judged on your technical and communication skills in and out of the office, you do not have to worry about demonstrating proper business attire and dining etiquette.

Question 46

Which of the following statements about the end of a meeting is most accurate?

A) A meeting should end only when participants have discussed all agenda items.
B) The leader should provide a summary of accomplishments and a review of action items.
C) The leader should remind participants that they are responsible for taking their own minutes.
D) Participants should pass their assigned tasks on to someone who did not attend.

Question 47

An awareness of courtesy and etiquette can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Question 48

Which of the following is the best practice for a group when it begins a meeting?

A) Wait until all participants arrive.
B) Give a quick recap to anyone who arrives late.
C) Establish ground rules.
D) Start voting on items prior to holding any discussion.

Question 49

The term "professionalism" refers to desirable workplace behavior.

Question 50

Your vocal quality sends only verbal messages.

Question 51

How should a group leader keep a meeting progressing effectively?

A) Engage in most of the talking to ensure that the meeting ends on time.
B) Allow group members to digress on a topic because other topics may be beneficial to explore.
C) Discourage members who monopolize the discussion.
D) Summarize only at the end of the meeting.

Question 52

Many businesses have established protocol procedures or policies to enforce civility.

Question 53

A meeting agenda should include the date and place of the meeting, start and end times, a brief description of each topic with its time allotment, and

A) a refreshment list.
B) an explanation of the leader's position on each of the agenda topics.
C) any premeeting preparation expected of participants.
D) All answer choices should be included on a meeting agenda.

Question 54

What is your first task before holding a meeting?

A) Deciding how and where to meet
B) Preparing an agenda
C) Inviting participants
D) Determining your purpose

Question 55

You must demonstrate professionalism only in face-to-face interactions.

Question 56

Which of the following statements about meetings is most accurate?

A) Because of e-mail and wireless devices, meetings are no longer needed in the business world.
B) To increase employee productivity, meetings should never be held.
C) As businesses become more team-oriented, people are attending more meetings than ever.
D) Only top-level business executives must attend meetings.

Question 57

Hard skills refer to a whole cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, communication skills, and social graces.

Question 58

In today's fast-paced, competitive business world, employers are not interested in the ethical behavior of their employees.

Question 59

Good manners and a businesslike, professional demeanor are among the top skills recruiters seek in applicants.

Question 60

Because today's technologies provide many alternate communication channels, face-to-face communication is no longer important in business and professional transactions.

Question 61

E-mail has made telephone use obsolete in the corporate world.

Question 62

Decisions made by teams promote greater "buy-in" from group members.

Question 63

When conversing with others, always address them by their first names.

Question 64

You should identify the extension when transferring a call.

Question 65

You should generally deliver most constructive criticism in writing rather than in person.

Question 66

Many organizations are using virtual teams to exchange ideas and make decisions.

Question 67

When speaking on a cell phone, speak more loudly so that the receiver can hear you and your ideas.

Question 68

You should try to respond to voice messages within one week.

Question 69

The responsibility for ending a call lies with the receiver.

Question 70

If another person has criticized you unfairly, you should disagree respectfully and constructively.

Question 71

In the norming phase of team development, teams discuss alternatives, evaluate outcomes, apply criteria, and prioritize alternatives.

Question 72

When answering a phone call for a coworker, be honest and tell the receiver the exact whereabouts of your coworker.

Question 73

To make your outgoing voice mail message more professional, use the computer-generated voice that comes with most systems.

Question 74

Groups with diverse members often produce the best decisions.

Question 75

Groups should avoid conflict.

Question 76

Withdrawing from a group is viewed as an effective technique to deal with group differences.

Question 77

When placing a business telephone call, immediately name the person you are calling, identify yourself and your affiliation, and give a brief explanation of your reason for calling.

Question 78

If you receive constructive criticism on the job, you should focus on your feelings as much as possible.

Question 79

When you deliver constructive criticism, you should use the word "we" instead of "you" to avoid sounding accusatory.

Question 80

Speakers should avoid "uptalk" in the workplace because it makes them appear weak and tentative.