Deck 8: Empowering and Engaging Others

Question 1

Empowerment involves trade-offs; if some people feel empowered, others will not experience it.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

As a manager, Bill understands the concept of empowerment. He recognizes he can empower his employees by creating circumstances in which his employees feel empowered.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The dimension of empowerment that would most likely help a person overcome a smoking addiction is meaningfulness.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Alane is very passionate about her work for the American Cancer Society, experiencing a strong sense of self-worth from her job. Of the five dimensions, Alane would probably score highest on the meaningfulness dimension of empowerment.

Question 5

Many managers and employees are reluctant to accept empowerment, but they are even more reluctant to offer empowerment. If a rationale offered by management is "I'm willing to empower people, but when I do, they either mess things up or try to grab all the glory," the issue is a need for control.

Question 6

Kenneth derives a great deal of satisfaction from work and has decided to open his own motorcycle store. He would probably score high on the self-determination dimension of empowerment.

Question 7

If you create a picture of the desired future through word pictures and moving language, you have satisfied the emotional arousal prescription for empowerment.

Question 8

You have recently been promoted to a managerial position and have been assigned a mentor who will provide you with guidance. The assignment of a mentor is related to the providing of information guideline of empowerment.

Question 9

After you have arrived at work, your boss emails some tasks she would like for you to do by the end of the day. Your boss practices the "wait to be told" initiative.

Question 10

Joe implemented the following policy effective immediately: All employees have discretion to resolve customer complaints on the spot. This is most closely linked with creating confidence to foster empowerment.

Question 11

You recently attended a Mary Kay Cosmetics regional meeting where you received a pink Cadillac for your achievements. This is most closely linked to modeling effective praise to foster empowerment.

Question 12

Empowering others is neither easy nor natural for managers. However, it does not require a great amount of self-sacrifice, and managers can actually multiply their own effectiveness through empowerment.

Question 13

Empowerment is viewed as a "pull" strategy, which involves managers designing a work situation so that it energizes and encourages employees to pursue work that is meaningful to them.

Question 14

Fostering personal mastery experiences is related to the self-efficacy dimension of empowerment.

Question 15

You have decided to provide information to enhance empowerment among your employees. The information should be relevant to the employees' tasks and department.

Question 16

Your department is average in its performance. You believe if you were in charge, the department would perform above average. Of the five dimensions, you would probably score highest on the self-efficacy dimension of empowerment.

Question 17

People who score high on the trust dimension of empowerment are more direct, open, honest, self-assured, and willing to cooperate with others.

Question 18

You write notes of praise to employees, as well as to their family members and co-workers, in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments. This most closely relates to providing support to encourage empowerment.

Question 19

People that take initiative and like to try out new ideas would probably score high on the self-determination dimension of empowerment.

Question 20

Julie is reluctant to embrace empowerment as her employees have not had the necessary training to accomplish the work assigned to her purchasing department. Her belief is likely based on her attitudes about her employees.

Question 21

You are the leader of a work team. Having returned from a seminar on empowerment, you wonder if empowerment would work for your team. Which dimension listed is considered by some writers to be the most important in determining whether empowerment will work?

A) Meaningfulness
B) Self-efficacy
C) Trust
D) Self-determination
E) Personal control

Question 22

Research has found the principles of empowerment and engagement are applicable across almost all cultures.

Question 23

You are excited. You have presented a course of action for the problem. You are just waiting for your boss to give the okay. Your boss practices the "ask what to do" initiative.

Question 24

In deciding how to engage employees, you should begin with the end in mind and focus accountability on the process.

Question 25

A peer has asked you about empowerment. Which is the best summary statement to share with your peer?

A) "Essentially, workers accomplish tasks because they are intrinsically attracted to them."
B) "Essentially, workers accomplish the tasks because of the extrinsic rewards offered to them."
C) "Essentially, empowerment allows employees the freedom to choose their own rewards."
D) "Essentially, empowerment is just a fancy word for delegate."

Question 26

The rule of thumb in engaging others is to match the amount of responsibility given with the amount of authority provided. Though you retain ultimate accountability, you delegate prime accountability.

Question 27

A manager remarks to you, "Empowerment means providing freedom for people to do successfully what you, the manager, want them to do." How should you respond?

A) You should agree. It is an effective "push" strategy to get employees to act in desirable ways.
B) You should disagree. It is meant to be a "pull" strategy which allows employees to choose work based on intrinsic attraction.
C) You should disagree. Empowerment is about creating feelings of capability and does not involve providing freedom.

Question 28

You have noticed that Hillary has maintained a consistently high level of work performance for the past five years. What can you most likely deduce about Hillary?

A) She has a strong sense of job security.
B) She has a strong sense of personal control.
C) She has a strong sense of trust.
D) She has a strong sense of self-determination.

Question 29

People that have a high internal locus of control are likely to score high on which dimension of empowerment?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Meaningfulness
D) Trust

Question 30

If you have a basic sense of your own competence and a willingness to put forth effort to accomplish a task, then in which dimension would you probably score high?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Personal consequence
D) Meaningfulness
E) Trust

Question 31

The intrinsic value of the job is directly tied to which dimension of empowerment?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Personal consequence
D) Meaning
E) Trust

Question 32

In order to empower her employees, what will Maya need to do?

A) Maya will need to give up her own desired rewards and recognition.
B) Maya needs to create empowerment by giving power to her employees.
C) Maya needs to focus on creating circumstances in which her employees can empower themselves.
D) Maya needs to be selective in choosing who to empower as not everyone can have it.

Question 33

Employee engagement works best when the manager uses it as a tool to relieve his or her stress and workload.

Question 34

A team has just outlined its approach to a problem. Part of its plan is to have the team members' manager closely monitor the daily tasks. The manager should discourage this approach and remind the team the project is its responsibility, but he is available for assistance.

Question 35

Which dimension of empowerment would most likely be experienced by people who join the Peace Corps in order to help poor people in the world live a better life?

A) Meaningfulness
B) Control
C) Self-determination
D) Competency
E) Trust

Question 36

A co-worker recently returned from a management seminar. She notes that empowerment is nothing more than giving employees autonomy. How should you respond?

A) "I agree."
B) "I disagree; power isn't about autonomy, it is about an individual's capacity to accomplish a task."
C) "I believe empowerment relates to both self-efficacy and task accomplishment."
D) "I believe empowerment improves team building through centralized decision making."

Question 37

You are the CEO of Sugar Land Light & Power. In reading the Wall Street Journal, you notice the editors have forecasted an unstable and unpredictable environment for the utility industry for the next 10 years. You also suspect a lot of change. What should you do?

A) Empower your employees, arrange for more self-managing work teams, and broaden participation and accountability
B) Maintain control and issue top-down mandates regarding strategy and direction. You can empower individuals when the situation becomes more stable
C) Revisit company policies with both management and employees
D) Do nothing; wait until problems surface

Question 38

After attending a management seminar on empowerment, you have decided to issue a memo telling your employees they are now empowered. Will this work?

A) Yes, you can give someone empowerment.
B) No, most people want to avoid the responsibilities associated with empowerment.
C) No, a manager cannot empower others, but she can help them empower themselves.

Question 39

If you believe that through your actions you can influence what happens, you would probably score high on which dimension of empowerment?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Personal consequence
D) Meaningfulness
E) Trust

Question 40

You are looking for a team player, a person who will try to get along with others on the team. Which dimension of empowerment would demonstrate this trait best?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Personal consequence
D) Meaningfulness
E) Trust

Question 41

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) Both Bill and George will sense relatively high levels of empowerment.
B) Bill feels more empowered than George.
C) George feels more empowered than Bill.
D) Neither Bill nor George is likely to sense a high level of empowerment.

Question 42

Your boss states, "To foster empowerment, you should provide individuals with a large difficult task at the beginning. The theory is if they can master this difficult task first, this will encourage feelings of empowerment." He then asks for your comment. How should you respond?

A) "I agree."
B) "I disagree, the key is to start with easy tasks."
C) "I disagree, as the key is that they choose their own tasks, whether easy or difficult."

Question 43

You have decided to keep the work climate fun and use superlatives in providing feedback. Also, you plan to highlight the important impact that your employees' work will produce and you plan to try to foster activities that encourage friendships. You are doing what?

A) Providing needed support
B) Providing information
C) Arousing personal mastery
D) Arousing positive emotions

Question 44

In providing resources so that others may accomplish their work, if individuals believe they have the resources they need to be successful and they have the freedom to pursue what they want to accomplished, you have fostered a sense of which dimension(s) of empowerment?

A) Self-efficacy and self-determination
B) Personal control and trust
C) Personal control and meaningfulness
D) Self-determination and meaningfulness

Question 45

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) George will attempt to accomplish a difficult task.
B) Bill will attempt to accomplish a difficult task.
C) George and Bill are good friends.
D) Bill thinks his job fits very well with his personal values.

Question 46

You coach high school sports. Your team has lost 37 games in a row prior to your arrival. Having returned from an empowerment seminar, you decide what is best for your players is to model the correct behaviors. Which of the following choices is best?

A) Invite players from the 2012 state championship team to talk to your players
B) Demonstrate the desired behaviors yourself (you were an all-star after all)
C) Discuss with the team about going undefeated next year
D) Invite players from the 2012 state championship team to talk to your team and demonstrate the desired behaviors yourself (you were an all-star)

Question 47

After spending the weekend getting up early, and spending a lot of money to have the pleasure of working up a sweat in the cross country ski park, you decide to empower your employees by capitalizing on some of the principles of recreation. Which attributes of recreation should be fostered? 1) Clear goals; 2) clearly defined out of bounds behavior; and 3) generous scorekeeping.

A) Only 1 and 2
B) Only 1 and 3
C) Only 2 and 3
D) All three attributes

Question 48

You have recently been promoted. In looking through the prior supervisor's records, you note that she had regular meetings with her employees both individually and as a team. The meetings seemed to focus on how important the individual's and the team's efforts were to the organization's objective. What was this supervisor good at?

A) Providing support
B) Providing information
C) Providing resources
D) Being efficient with her time

Question 49

Which is an attribute of a measurable goal?

A) Associated with observable behavior
B) Associated with overall purposes of the organization
C) Time-bound
D) Associated with objective assessment criteria
E) Associated with challenging tasks

Question 50

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which of the following is a good way to increase George's sense of empowerment?

A) Help him feel more confident in his work.
B) Give him the opportunity to make more choices about how he does his work.
C) Help him see how his work connects with his deeply held values.
D) Help him see the impact that his work has in benefiting other people.

Question 51

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which of the following is a good way to increase Bill's sense of empowerment?

A) Help him feel more confident in his work.
B) Give him the opportunity to make more choices about how he does his work.
C) Help him see how his work connects with his deeply held values.
D) Create a better relationship with him so that he knows he can count on you.

Question 52

The guideline to model the behaviors you want others to achieve is related to which dimension(s) of empowerment?

A) All five dimensions are related.
B) Self-efficacy and self-determination are related.
C) Self-efficacy and meaningfulness are related.
D) Self-efficacy and trust are related.
E) Only self-efficacy is related.

Question 53

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) George has a strong sense of impact.
B) George has a strong sense of choice.
C) George has a strong sense of competence.
D) George is very secure.

Question 54

The guideline that fosters activities to encourage the formation of friendships and keeps the workplace environment fun and interesting is related to which dimension(s) of empowerment?

A) All five dimensions are related.
B) Self-efficacy and meaningfulness are related.
C) Personal consequence is related.
D) Trust is related.
E) Meaningfulness is related.

Question 55

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) George feels more passion for his work and is more innovative than Bill.
B) Bill feels more passion for his work and is more innovative than George.
C) Neither is passionate about their work.
D) Both are passionate about their work.

Question 56

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) Neither George nor Bill see themselves as proactive self-starters.
B) Bill should demonstrate high levels of commitment to work.
C) Both George and Bill seem to exhibit some level of external locus of control.
D) Both George and Bill seem to exhibit some level of internal locus of control.

Question 57

If you provide employees a budget that allows them the discretion to spend money on activities they consider important for completing the job successfully, you have utilized which guideline for developing empowerment?

A) Providing information
B) Providing resources
C) Modeling
D) Providing support

Question 58

The guideline to articulate a clear vision and goals is related to which dimension(s) of empowerment?

A) All five dimensions are related.
B) Self-efficacy, self-determination, and personal consequence are related.
C) Self-determination, personal consequence, and meaningfulness are related.
D) Trust is related.
E) Trust and self-efficacy are related.

Question 59

Scenario: The following are personal assessment scores for George and Bill on the five core dimensions of empowerment. Use these scores to answer the following questions.

Which is an accurate interpretation of the personal assessment score results?

A) George is more likely to play politics and have a hidden agenda.
B) Both George and Bill have high ethical standards.
C) Neither George nor Bill has ethical standards.
D) Bill does not want to be a contributing part of the team.

Question 60

The federal government has asked how your company plans to reduce pollution in your metropolitan area. You decide to organize a team (members from different departments) to handle the government's request. To increase a sense of empowerment, what should you do?

A) Have them generate ideas for you to decide
B) Treat them as a suggestion team and have them teach each other their job
C) Allow them to make the decision but tell them that you will handle how the decision will be implemented
D) Allow them to make the decision, implement the solution and evaluate its effectiveness as well

Question 61

You understand the importance of two-way communication during the process of engaging employees. What does this mean?

A) That you, as the manager, should answer every detailed question and provide continual advice
B) That you, as the manager, provide information on a need-to-know time frame
C) That you, as the manager, remain available for consultation and idea exchange
D) That you, as the manager, empathize totally with the process

Question 62

Empowerment is a concept that is likely to be more acceptable in cultures with which strong orientations?

A) Universalism, neutrality, diffuseness, and achievement
B) Particularism, collectivity, diffuseness, and achievement
C) Particularism, affectivity, specificity, and ascription
D) Particularism, individualism, diffuseness, and achievement

Question 63

Suppose an employee comes to you after you have delegated an assignment and says, "We (the team) have a problem. Some people within the team are not trying, there is just no effort. What should I or the team do? " How should you reply?

A) "Let me investigate this further and I'll get back to you."
B) "Do you want me to talk to the group?"
C) "What do you think the team should do?"
D) "Well, I think I would penalize the team members somehow. What do you recommend?"

Question 64

Fei is competent at engaging her employees in work and effectively applies the principles of engagement. She can expect to produce all of the following results except

A) development of subordinates' capabilities and knowledge.
B) improvement in the quality of decision making.
C) an increase in the time and resources required for decision making.
D) an increase in the coordination and integration of work.
E) an increase in the commitment of those being engaged.

Question 65

Many managers and employees are reluctant to accept empowerment, but they are even more reluctant to offer empowerment. If a rationale offered by management is "I'm willing to empower my people, but they just won't accept the responsibility," what is the inhibitor?

A) Attitudes about subordinates
B) Personal insecurities
C) Need for control
D) Incompetent empowerment

Question 66

When employees have been empowered without clear directions or resources, what have some of the results been?

A) Increased performance and job satisfaction
B) Increased depression
C) Increased alertness and increased mortality
D) Reduced stress

Question 67

Many managers and employees are reluctant to accept empowerment, but they are even more reluctant to offer empowerment. If a rationale offered by management is "I'm willing to empower people, but they require clear directions and a set of guidelines; otherwise, the lack of instruction leads to confusion," what is the inhibitor?

A) Attitudes about subordinates
B) Personal insecurities
C) Lack of trust
D) Willingness to embrace change
E) Need for control

Question 68

"Why is the boss never around to give his approval when I have some ideas on how to approach the problem? " you think. Which initiative level does your boss expect?

A) Wait to be told what to do
B) Act, then report results
C) Initiate action, and report only routinely
D) Ask what to do before acting

Question 69

Your boss has droned on for hours about the importance of empowering employees. As you drift off, she asks you to offer your insights on the consistency of engagement. Which is an appropriate response?

A) "It means you engage others continuously, not just when overworked, and you share both pleasant and unpleasant tasks."
B) "It means you engage others on a need-to-know basis and you share both pleasant and unpleasant tasks."
C) "It means you engage others continuously not just when overworked, and you share pleasant tasks only."
D) "It means to be consistent by treating everyone on the team fairly."

Question 70

If your employees believe you are fair, dependable, caring, and honest, what empowerment dimension will increase?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Self-determination
C) Personal consequence
D) Meaningfulness
E) Trust

Question 71

What can't the manager delegate?

A) Prime accountability
B) Ultimate accountability
C) Central accountability
D) Prime responsibility

Question 72

You are trying to explain to your colleague the idea of "creating confidence" as a prescription for developing empowerment. Which of the following would provide an accurate summary?

A) It involves actions that help others to feel a sense of confidence in themselves.
B) It involves actions that help others to feel a sense of confidence in their manager.
C) It involves actions that help others to feel a sense of confidence in working with others.
D) It involves actions that help others to feel a sense of confidence in those they work with.

Question 73

Once tasks are delegated and authority provided, what should a manager do?

A) Focus on the results achieved by subordinates
B) Focus on the techniques used to achieve the results
C) Focus on both the results and how the results were achieved

Question 74

Your boss states, "Engaging employees usually refers to the assignment of a task, it is work focused. Empowerment, on the other hand, focuses on individuals' feelings." How should you respond?

A) You should agree.
B) You should disagree. Your boss has the definitions reversed.
C) You should disagree. Your boss is describing competence and motivation.

Question 75

Your project is going well. As you daydream about your potential bonus, your secretary buzzes you to remind you of your weekly meeting with your boss over the project's status. Which initiative does your boss most likely practice?

A) Ask what to do before acting
B) Recommend, then take action
C) Initiate action, and report infrequently
D) Wait to be told what to do

Question 76

You recently discovered that your brother-in-law paid $1,000 more in computer purchases than you budgeted. In your conversation with him, he explains the additional cost is because he ordered the screen saver with the flying toasters; he likes them better. You remark to your brother-in-law, "I don't hold you totally responsible because obviously you made the best decision you could given your limited intellect." As you slump into your chair, what should you decide concerning your ability to create a sense of confidence in your brother-in-law?

A) You handled this little meeting quite well. Your praise should create confidence.
B) You have been open and honest in your communications with him.
C) You demonstrated your competence by expressing superiority.
D) If you would use more supportive communication, you could increase his confidence in you.

Question 77

When engaging employees, managers must be clear about (1) deadlines, (2) how the task should be completed, and (3) the level of initiative expected. Which statements are correct?

A) All three statements are correct.
B) Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
C) Only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
D) Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Question 78

In providing adequate support for engaging employees, you have decided to furnish employees with information on where they may acquire needed resources. Is this a good idea or a bad idea?

A) Bad idea. Employees learn more when they have to figure out how to find their own resources.
B) Good idea. This would be information relevant to accessing adequate resources.
C) It depends on whether you have time or not.
D) Bad idea. This would encourage too much independence.

Question 79

You wish to create a report regarding some new quality control initiatives and change the process which several of your employees currently follow. According to Vroom, which of these questions are relevant in deciding whether or not engagement is appropriate? 1) Is the commitment of others critical to successful implementation?
2) Is there sufficient time for you to research and write the report yourself?
3) Is there sufficient time to effectively engage others?
And 4) Do others share your values and perspective regarding these ideas?

A) Only questions 1 and 2 are relevant.
B) Only questions 1 and 4 are relevant.
C) Questions 1, 3 and 4 are relevant, but not 2.
D) Questions 1, 2 and 4 are relevant, but not 3.
E) All of the questions are relevant.

Question 80

Some of the outcomes of successful employee engagement are (1) high morale and motivation, (2) stronger interpersonal relationships, and (3) more discretionary time for managers. Which statements are correct?

A) All three statements are correct.
B) Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
C) Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
D) Only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
E) None of the statements are correct.