Deck 11: Adaptive Leadership

Question 1

The leader in adaptive leadership is conceptualized as ______.

A) one who saves the followers
B) one who gently persuades followers
C) one who is defined by his or her personal characteristics
D) one who uses primarily directive behaviors to support followers

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following sets of activities are adaptive leaders said to engage in with others?

A) motivate, crystallize, delegate
B) mobilize, motivate, orient
C) organize, direct, manage
D) conceptualize, heal, serve

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The type of leadership that focuses on the adaptations required of people in response to changing environments is ______.

A) transformational
B) transactional
C) servant
D) adaptive

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The systems perspective in adaptive leadership involves looking at problems that ______.

A) require people to adapt to both their internal cues and external environments
B) are complex and interconnected in a web of relationships
C) require service through using expertise in diagnosing and prescribing solutions
D) are focused on psychological parameters for adapting to difficult problems

Question 5

The process definition of adaptive leadership states that this type of leadership is about ______.

A) the position the leader holds
B) characteristics of the leader
C) skills of the leader
D) behaviors of the leader

Question 6

Complexity Leadership Theory when used in organizations focuses on ______.

A) behaviors that inhibit psychodynamic subconscious emotional reactions
B) strategies to enhance the skill level of employees
C) strategies that encourage learning, creativity, and adaptation
D) a biological perspective of adaptive leadership

Question 7

The overall goal of adaptive leadership is to ______.

A) encourage people to change
B) support leadership roles
C) adapt to the subordinate characteristics
D) encourage people to adapt to their leader

Question 8

Workplace problems that are clearly defined but do not have straightforward solutions are ______.

A) regulatory challenges
B) adaptive challenges
C) technical challenges
D) combined technical and adaptive challenges

Question 9

Workplace problems that lack clarity and cannot be solved by leader expertise or normal organizational structures are ______.

A) regulatory challenges
B) adaptive challenges
C) technical challenges
D) combined technical and adaptive challenges

Question 10

Our organization recently adopted a new website design interface.Some of our employees are having difficulty navigating the new system.This is an example of ______.

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 11

Workplace problems with clearly defined and known solutions are ______.

A) biological challenges
B) adaptive challenges
C) technical challenges
D) psychodynamic challenges

Question 12

What type of challenge occurred when the problem employees encountered was identified and the leader selected a workable solution?

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 13

In which adaptive leadership viewpoint do leaders provide a supportive environment for followers in which they help followers resolve internal conflicts and distinguish between reality and fantasy?

A) service orientation
B) biological perspective
C) psychotherapy perspective
D) systems perspective

Question 14

Adaptive leadership is ______.

A) leader centered
B) authority based
C) follower centered
D) organization centered

Question 15

Which theory focuses predominantly on how the leader's activities relate to the followers and the context in which followers find themselves?

A) trait
B) LMX
C) adaptive
D) authentic

Question 16

Which of the following is not one of the conceptual viewpoints of adaptive leadership?

A) situational perspective
B) systems perspective
C) biological perspective
D) service orientation

Question 17

Which leadership theory includes administrative,adaptive,and enabling leadership?

A) Transformational Leadership Theory
B) Adaptive Leadership Theory
C) Servant Leadership Theory
D) Complexity Leadership Theory

Question 18

Adaptive leaders ______.

A) prepare people to deal with change
B) adapt their style based on follower competence
C) adapt their style based on follower commitment
D) prepare people to assess other's behaviors

Question 19

Which leadership scholar developed the main framework of adaptive leadership?

A) House
B) Bass
C) Kouzes
D) Heifetz

Question 20

Adaptive leadership is a unique kind of leadership in that ______.

A) it focuses on the leader's behaviors as a reflection of the followers
B) it focuses on the dynamics of mobilizing people to address change
C) it describes the process of rewards and punishments used in leadership
D) it describes the transformational processes in complex organizations

Question 21

What type of problem is occurring when identification of issues surrounding the problem and solutions to the problem both are unclear?

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 22

Which leader behavior is a prerequisite for the other adaptive leader behaviors?

A) regulate distress
B) identify adaptive challenges
C) maintain disciplined attention
D) get on the balcony

Question 23

I am the leader in the manufacturing division of an auto manufacturing company and just found a technical problem with one part of how the line places the engine block in the car.I figured out the problem and fixed it right away.Which type of leader behavior was I using during this process?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) create a holding environment
C) protect leadership voices from below
D) regulate distress

Question 24

I am a leader of employees in an auto manufacturing company that just merged with another company after a difficult buyout process.Employees will keep their jobs but will have to learn new systems and work with new people and supervisors,which makes them nervous and anxious about their work.This is an example of ______.

A) a capacity challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) an adaptive challenge

Question 25

You are tasked with creating a brand new food product using a team of people who are unfamiliar with the product and do not know one another.The organizational structure of this group is very loosely defined.This is an example of ______.

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 26

According to adaptive leadership theory,who solves technical and adaptive challenges?

A) employees
B) leaders and followers
C) leaders
D) the organization

Question 27

According to adaptive leadership theory,who solves technical challenges?

A) employees
B) leaders and followers
C) leaders
D) the organization

Question 28

Which behavior am I using when I analyze and diagnose a new challenge?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) get on the balcony
C) protect leadership voices from below
D) work avoidance

Question 29

How many archetypes are used in adaptive leadership to help determine the difference between adaptive and technical challenges?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 6

Question 30

A football team decides to completely restructure its offense and use many different players in the process.The players,coaches,and even the fans could have a hard time figuring out the new system and implementing this completely new structure.This is an example of ______.

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 31

What type of challenge occurred when the problem employees encountered was clearly defined but difficult to solve?

A) an adaptive challenge
B) a technical challenge
C) a technical and adaptive challenge
D) a non-challenge

Question 32

The prescriptive nature of the adaptive leadership approach is found in the ______.

A) types of challenges
B) actions of the followers
C) response of the organization
D) leader behaviors

Question 33

I am a leader who has identified an adaptive challenge.What do I need to do now?

A) focus attention on the problem and establish collaboration between myself and my followers
B) provide followers with a solution that fits the problem
C) provide followers with a solution that fits the problem and ask them for input
D) focus attention on the solution then share it will the followers

Question 34

My company states integrity as a core commitment on its website.I see fraud occurring often in my division of the company.Which archetype describes this company?

A) gap between espoused values and behaviors
B) competing commitments
C) work avoidance
D) speaking the unspeakable

Question 35

There are how many leader behaviors in the adaptive leadership model?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 6

Question 36

Which of the following is not one of the named adaptive leader behaviors in the model?

A) get on the balcony
B) provide a holding environment
C) identify adaptive challenges
D) regulate distress

Question 37

I have been working with the staff on a difficult problem for 3 days.Everyone is stressed and bickering and losing focus.I decide to go for a run,which is a time when I typically can quietly think and gain perspective on problems.This is an example of which adaptive leader behavior?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) get on the balcony
C) protect leadership voices from below
D) speaking the unspeakable

Question 38

My company decides to merge with another to be more financially stable,but in the process it appears best to downsize our current staff.This is an adaptive challenge identified by which archetype?

A) gap between espoused values and behaviors
B) competing commitments
C) work avoidance
D) speaking the unspeakable

Question 39

According to adaptive leadership theory,who solves adaptive challenges?

A) employees
B) leaders and followers
C) leaders
D) the organization

Question 40

I focus on the big picture and observe the problems as a whole but always stay fully engaged in the challenge with our employees.This is an example of which adaptive leader behavior?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) competing commitments
C) protect leadership voices from below
D) get on the balcony

Question 41

When we create a holding environment for employees we are using which adaptive leader behavior?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) get on the balcony
C) protect leadership voices from below
D) regulate distress

Question 42

The maintaining disciplined action behavior in adaptive leadership is ______.

A) easy because most people naturally want to confront change
B) difficult because most people do not accept leaders who use adaptive behaviors
C) difficult because most people do not naturally want to confront change
D) easy because most people have dealt effectively with adaptive changes before

Question 43

There is just one person in our group,Silvia,who seems to have radically different ideas about how to complete our project.She seems to purposely disagree with the majority opinions of the rest of us though yesterday she said something that made a lot of sense to help us solve our production problem.I suggested to the entire group today that we hear Silvia's suggestions and asked Silvia to share in-depth more of what she said yesterday.I am using which adaptive leader behavior?

A) protect leadership voices from below
B) regulate distress
C) give the work back to the people
D) maintain disciplined attention

Question 44

We avoid talking about the conflict that occurs when our leader lets one employee get away with coming in late to work every day.We all think it's because this employee is the only minority on the staff.This is an adaptive challenge identified by which archetype?

A) gap between espoused values and behaviors
B) competing commitments
C) work avoidance
D) speaking the unspeakable

Question 45

When I establish a workplace environment that is open and safe while also being available and encouraging to employees to solve demanding problems,I am ______.

A) on the balcony
B) creating a holding environment
C) establishing protective norms
D) maintaining disciplined action

Question 46

Why is the term "follower" used infrequently in writings about adaptive leadership?

A) it is a derogatory term
B) follower implies a submissive role
C) it lessens the role of the leader
D) adaptive leadership theory is not concerned with followers

Question 47

I try to listen to and be open to ideas from people on the fringe of the organization.What adaptive behavior am I using?

A) protect leadership voices from below
B) regulate distress
C) give the work back to the people
D) maintain disciplined attention

Question 48

Which leader behavior in the adaptive leadership model means the leader needs to encourage people to focus on the tough work that needs to be done?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) regulate distress
C) give the work back to the people
D) maintain disciplined attention

Question 49

In adaptive work,______.

A) the leader identifies the problem
B) the followers identify the problem
C) the people involved together identify and solve the problem
D) the followers do all of the work

Question 50

Collectively,what is the impact of leaders using adaptive behaviors appropriately for adaptive challenges?

A) technical work suffers
B) adaptive work suffers
C) adaptive work can be done
D) creative work is stymied

Question 51

Who does the primary work of adaptive work when in the holding environment?

A) followers
B) leaders
C) leaders and followers equally
D) the organizational structure

Question 52

Leaders should direct considerable energy toward and maintaining ______ because of its critical role in the adaptive process.

A) the situation
B) the challenge
C) the balcony
D) the holding environment

Question 53

A leader needs to use the maintain disciplined attention behavior when ______.

A) there is an issue that is being avoided that is pivotal to making the necessary change
B) the holding environment is yet to be established
C) the determination of technical versus adaptive challenge has yet to be made
D) people want to solve problems on their own

Question 54

Our team has been working on a difficult problem for the past week.As the team leader,I sense that the group has a pretty good idea of the issues surrounding the problem.I share with them that I know they can solve it,and I encourage them to keep thinking about good solutions.I am using primarily which adaptive leadership behavior?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) regulate distress
C) give the work back to the people
D) maintain disciplined attention

Question 55

I provided a solution to a challenging problem that just made things worse.What did I do wrong according to adaptive leadership principles?

A) I tried to take over the situation
B) I tried to solve an adaptive problem using technical leadership
C) I tried to solve a technical problem with adaptive leadership
D) I did not put myself in a holding environment

Question 56

What is the first step the leader takes when faced with a challenging situation?

A) create a holding environment
B) give the work back to the people
C) maintain disciplined attention
D) step back to obtain a fuller picture

Question 57

Creating a holding environment helps regulate distress because ______.

A) it is a space where conflict gets out of control and leaders support this process
B) it provides an optimal balance of both safety and tension to allow work to happen
C) negotiations are heated up on purpose to create overwhelming tension and people pick sides
D) there is no pressure to create new contractual relationships while negotiations occur in the holding space

Question 58

A longtime leader of a technology firm hires primarily males even when females in the hiring pool are far more qualified.No one wants to point out this behavior to the leader.This is an adaptive challenge identified by which archetype?

A) gap between espoused values and behaviors
B) competing commitments
C) work avoidance
D) speaking the unspeakable

Question 59

Which regulating distress behavior maintains that it is the leader's responsibility to manage the rate of adaptive change for people?

A) providing direction
B) conflict management
C) protection
D) orientation

Question 60

People like leaders to provide some direction and structure to their work but also want to solve problems without too much directive leadership.Leaders should use which adaptive behavior with these people?

A) identify adaptive challenges
B) regulate distress
C) give the work back to the people
D) maintain disciplined attention

Question 61

Adaptive leaders are said to regulate personal distress.Which of the following is least similar to this idea?

A) the self-management aspect of emotional intelligence
B) the idealized influence concept in transformational leadership
C) the self-awareness dimension of authentic leadership
D) the conceptualizing behavior of servant leadership

Question 62

The adaptive leadership approach is ______.

A) descriptive
B) prescriptive
C) directive
D) counterintuitive

Question 63

Which of the following is not an overarching element to the adaptive leadership model?

A) adaptive work
B) follower behaviors
C) leader behaviors
D) situational challenges

Question 64

What does the holding environment represent in the adaptive leadership model?

A) the virtual space for solving technical problems
B) the balcony where outside observers can study the organization
C) the safe space where adaptive leadership work gets done
D) the uncomfortable space where leaders hold out-group members accountable

Question 65

Which of the following is not a strength of adaptive leadership?

A) It takes a process approach to the study of leadership.
B) It is follower centered.
C) It clearly describes a step-by-step approach to adaptive challenges.
D) It directs how leaders help followers deal with conflicting values.

Question 66

Your classmates meet every Tuesday night at the music library on campus to work on a challenging group project.Your group member Charles is an off-campus commuter student who works at night and finds it nearly impossible to make it to your meetings.You confront your teammates about changing the meeting time and place to accommodate Charles.Which adaptive leader behavior are you using?

A) maintaining disciplined attention
B) getting on the balcony
C) identifying adaptive challenges
D) protecting leadership voices from below

Question 67

Adaptive leadership can be most highly contrasted with which other approach?

A) transformational Leadership
B) servant Leadership
C) trait Approach
D) leader Member Exchange

Question 68

Research on adaptive leadership has been primarily ______.

A) quantitative
B) survey based
C) anecdotal and observational
D) empirically tested

Question 69

The leader behaviors listed in the adaptive leadership model ______.

A) are meant to be used discretely in the order listed
B) should all be used simultaneously
C) are generally prescribed in order but may overlap a lot
D) are borrowed from historic models of the skills approach

Question 70

Adaptive leadership provides a prescriptive approach to leadership that is useful and practical.What are these prescriptions?

A) the adaptive work that takes place
B) the leader behaviors used
C) correctly identifying the situational challenge
D) the change in followers once adaptation occurs

Question 71

Which of the following is not a criticism of adaptive leadership?

A) It takes a process approach to the study of leadership.
B) Empirical research is lacking.
C) The conceptualization of the process of adaptive leadership is unclear.
D) It is too wide-ranging and abstract.

Question 72

In adaptive leadership,leaders and followers mutually affect each other,making leadership a complex interactive process.This is ______.

A) a criticism of adaptive leadership
B) a strength of adaptive leadership
C) the formal definition of adaptive leadership
D) the definition of a technical leadership problem

Question 73

A father tells his daughter that he has the confidence in her to solve a stressful and challenging dilemma with her science club at school.In adaptive leadership language,the father is ______.

A) getting on the balcony
B) giving the work back to the people
C) identifying a technical problem
D) maintaining disciplined attention

Question 74

Adaptive leadership conceptualizes the leader as one who ______.

A) solves problems for people
B) adapts to various situations
C) makes the hard decisions for others
D) encourages others to do the problem solving

Question 75

Heifetz is the leadership scholar credited with the development of adaptive leadership.

Question 76

In what context has most of the adaptive leadership research been conducted?

A) health care
B) K-12 education
C) higher education
D) public companies

Question 77

Janice gets her performance evaluation back from her supervisor.She was commended for her skills in orienting new employees,managing conflict among team members,and establishing productive workplace routines.Janice is demonstrating facets of which adaptive leader behavior?

A) regulating distress
B) giving work back to the people
C) identifying adaptive challenges
D) getting on the balcony

Question 78

Which of the following is true of how the adaptive leadership approach can be practiced in the real world?

A) the principles are only applicable in corporate settings
B) the approach can be used in a variety of organizational settings
C) the concepts are not easily applied on a personal level
D) the model has not been used in practice, only in theory

Question 79

How do leaders know when the problem they face is an adaptive challenge?

A) when the organization has recently hired new employees
B) when emotions, values, and beliefs are part of the challenge
C) when there is a clear solution but it costs a lot of money
D) when the problem is easily identified

Question 80

Which leadership approach has a central purpose to help followers confront their personal values and adjust these when needed in order for change to occur?

A) transformational
B) servant
C) authentic
D) adaptive