Deck 9: Building Effective Teams and Teamwork

Question 1

Once the team has developed a comfortable climate, the next stage is the performing stage.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

As a leader of a team, skills on how to manage conflict would be extremely useful in the storming stage of team development.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

To reach the fourth stage of the four stages of team development labeled by Tuckman, a team must progress through the first three stages of development.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

You are involved with a team where members encourage relationship-building roles and team members take responsibility for providing feedback regarding performance. Your team is in the norming stage.

Question 5

As a team leader, the ability to express certainty about what you want is the single most important requirement for leadership effectiveness.

Question 6

Employee involvement in teams has had a positive impact on productivity, quality, and morale.

Question 7

The task of the team in the forming stage is to clarify direction.

Question 8

An Everest goal represents an extraordinary achievement.

Question 9

Relationships should be formed during the forming stage of team building.

Question 10

A key objective in the performing stage is continuous improvement.

Question 11

One of the responsibilities of a manager in the norming stage of team development is to help establish expectations.

Question 12

In order to ensure tensions and differentiation of roles don't tear your team apart during the storming phase, you implement a process where team members express the group's vision and values to all new hires. This will likely be effective.

Question 13

The following behaviors are typically displayed by team members in the performing stage: mutual responsibility and concern for one another; an emphasis on ensuring that each team member is learning and developing; and providing assistance to one another.

Question 14

Your manager remarks to you, "Once the team reaches the performing stage, there are no issues to resolve, no questions to answer."

Question 15

You wish to place an advertisement for a new salesperson. Using phrases such as "join our highly participative team" will more likely attract the type of person you want, than an ad that simply lists the requirements.

Question 16

As a new team leader, Vanessa engages in frequent checking (asking questions of team members to determine levels of agreement, obstacles, dissatisfactions, and needs) with her team members. This is likely to result in enhancing her credibility.

Question 17

What you learn in the textbook about teams and teamwork is applicable to employing organizations, but it is not applicable to classroom activities or sports.

Question 18

You should tell subordinates how to carry out a specific goal because it increases innovation and decreases the potential for suboptimization of resources.

Question 19

Groupthink is the ability of a team to bring people together thus increasing the amount of expertise available to solve a problem.

Question 20

Two critical aspects of team leadership are developing credibility and influence among team members and establishing a motivating vision and goals for the team.

Question 21

Your boss has informed you that you will be the team leader and has asked you to design a motivational package that will reward and recognize individuals within the team. Is this a good idea?

A) This is a good idea. Receiving rewards is motivating and team members will be happy for those who receive rewards.
B) This is not a good idea. Rewards should be directed toward the team, not the individuals.
C) This is not a good idea. The team should decide which individuals within the team should receive rewards.
D) This is not a good idea. While recognition may be motivating, external rewards to individuals will just create jealousy.

Question 22

Focusing on productive expressions of individuality, recognizing team achievement, and fostering consensus-building are needed. You are at what stage of team development?

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

Question 23

In team meetings, Wong has a habit of either straying from the topic under discussion or trying to change the topic of discussion. Wong is displaying the blocking role of deflecting.

Question 24

Two key skills associated with team membership are playing advantageous roles and providing helpful feedback to build relationships with other team members.

Question 25

Teams can (1) take too long to make a decision, (2) compromise on excellence in order to get agreement from everyone, and (3) demonstrate groupthink, which improves decisions made by the team. 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 26

You have just returned from a seminar on teams. Your employees perform routine, highly structured work (painting the eyes on Barbie dolls). Is this situation well suited for teams?

A) Any situation can benefit from a team structure.
B) The situation is not well suited for teams. Teams work well only for tasks that are more complex and highly interdependent.
C) The situation is not well suited for teams. The unnecessary interaction will be distracting and will decrease productivity.

Question 27

This is your first meeting with your team. What should you do first?

A) Challenge other team members' points of view
B) Articulate the future for the team
C) Begin to focus on task-facilitating roles and relationship-building roles
D) Make introductions to be certain everyone knows one another

Question 28

You want to ensure that your team is effective. Which behaviors should you practice? (1) Change members regularly in order to keep the team revitalized, (2) maintain close supervision in order to avoid the negative effects of autonomy, and (3) foster independence of team members.

A) Only behavior 1 is correct.
B) Only behavior 2 is correct.
C) Only behavior 3 is correct.
D) None of the behaviors are correct.

Question 29

Your best friend in another department remarks that the team members in her group are very self-conscious. Also, she indicates that she has yet to speak up in the meetings. What stage is her group most likely at?

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

Question 30

Some cultures, such as Japan, are more comfortable spending substantial amounts of time on relationship-building activities before moving toward task accomplishment.

Question 31

Providing negative feedback is easier if one focuses the feedback on behavior related to a specific situation.

Question 32

Research indicates that, in many cultures, team composition has more influence on team effectiveness than does the leadership skills displayed by a team leader.

Question 33

You find yourself asking the following questions: What is expected of me? Who is going to lead?
What is supposed to happen?
You are at what stage of team development?

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

Question 34

Relationships must be formed and trust established. Clarity of direction is needed. Your team is at what stage?

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

Question 35

Juan, one of your teammates, comments, "Can we all at least agree on point number 1, even if we disagree on the other three points?
" Juan's comment most closely relates to the task-facilitating role of reality testing.

Question 36

The team is working to capitalize on their core competencies, foster innovation and continuous improvement, as well as encouraging positive deviance. You are at what stage of team development?

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

Question 37

Managers should be providing supportive feedback and facilitating participation and empowerment at what stage of team development?

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

Question 38

Your manager comments, "Although it is nice to have some team members play relationship-building roles, these roles are not essential for the group to develop and be successful. The key is that a majority of team members play task-facilitating roles."

Question 39

You have just brought your team together. What should you do in this early stage of your team's development?

A) Focus primarily on task accomplishment
B) Focus on helping members become comfortable with one another
C) Encourage open discussion and consensus decision making
D) Expect obedience to your directions

Question 40

"Your comments are naïve," is more effective feedback than "Your comments do not address the topic."

Question 41

You find that you are asking yourself the following questions: "How can I show my support to others? " and "How can I fit in?
" What stage of team development are you most likely at?

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

Question 42

Not wanting to make a serious judgment error, you convene a meeting of your team. In the process of discussing an issue, George, Harpreet, and Werner voice agreement over alternative 1, whereas Bill and Trinh have not spoken. If you accept alternative 1, what potential mistake would you be making?

A) Illusion of unanimity
B) Direct pressure
C) Illusion of invulnerability
D) Illusion of morality

Question 43

Lately, as team leader, you find yourself spending time answering team members' inquiries into the way the work has been organized. What should you do?

A) Encourage these inquiries to be turned into suggestions for improvement
B) Encourage obedience to your (leader's) directions
C) Ignore these disagreements
D) Clarify goals, procedures, rules, and expectations

Question 44

To avoid groupthink, (1) the team should have second-chance meetings, (2) the team should invite outside experts to listen to the rationale for the team's decision and critique it, and (3) the team leader should express an opinion at the outset of the meeting to save time. 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) Only statement 3 is correct.

Question 45

At what stage would "groupthink" most likely be experienced?

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

Question 46

If your team's development was in the storming stage, which of the following behaviors would you most likely see?

A) Dependence
B) Competition among team members
C) Conformity to standards and expectations
D) Unconditional commitment to the team

Question 47

At what stage would these behaviors be exhibited: ignoring disagreements, cooperativeness, and conformity to standards and expectations?

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

Question 48

In your team's meeting with your prime client, you state, "We have been trying to get that data, both Arnie and I, since last October." Your manager, Georgina, gives you a stern look like "Don't air our dirty laundry in public." You say very little after the stare. How Georgina behaved in the meeting is an example of

A) mind guarding.
B) self-censorship.
C) direct pressure.
D) shared stereotypes.

Question 49

Your boss remarks to you that proactive leadership can avoid a situation where team members question the legitimacy of the team's direction, the leader, and the roles of other team members. How should you respond?

A) Agree
B) Disagree - questioning by team members about the direction of the team is a natural phase of development and should be encouraged.
C) Disagree - even proactive leadership can't avoid this situation.

Question 50

In your team's meeting with your prime client, you state, "We have been trying to get that data, both Arnie and I, since last October." Your manager, Georgina, gives you a stern look like "Don't air our dirty laundry in public." You say very little after the stare. How you behaved in the remaining part of the meeting is an example of what type of groupthink attribute?

A) Direct pressure
B) Self-censorship
C) Rationalization
D) Mind guarding

Question 51

Your best friend remarks that the team members in her management group are getting along great with one another, but that nothing seems to get done in meetings. Everyone seems to be waiting for someone else to take the lead, and they don't have a clear set of rules or expectations for how they should act or who should take which roles. Her group probably needs to move into which stage of group development?

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

Question 52

If your team is moving into the norming stage, which behaviors are you most likely to see?

A) Social interaction with one another
B) Development of shared standards and expectations
C) High levels of coordination
D) Coalitions forming

Question 53

Recognizing and rewarding individuals will help form the team in which stage of team development?

A) Forming
B) Norming
C) Storming
D) Performing
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 54

At what stage does the team, rather than the leader, take responsibility for solving problems, confronting and correcting mistakes, and ensuring success?

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

Question 55

Which did the Xerox Corporation do when it implemented hierarchical family teams?

A) Guaranteed that the teams' past success would continue
B) Worked to minimize doubts
C) Engaged team members in teaching others
D) Put teams together in a way that would decrease divisiveness

Question 56

During what stage of team development is the main challenge to create a cohesive unit?

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

Question 57

If your team is moving into the storming stage, which behaviors are you most likely to see?

A) Social interaction with one another
B) Conformity to standards and expectations
C) Unconditional commitment
D) Coalitions forming

Question 58

If your team is moving into the forming stage, which behaviors are you most likely to see?

A) Social interaction leading to increased trust
B) Development of shared standards and expectations
C) High levels of coordination
D) Coalitions forming

Question 59

During which stage of team development do you find yourself asking these questions: Do I want to maintain my membership in the team? How will we handle dissension?

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

Question 60

If you find yourself strenuously challenging others' points of view and identifying an external adversary for the team to enhance team cohesion and commitment, what stage of team development is your team exhibiting?

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

Question 61

High-performing teams in the performing stage of development emphasize (1) elevating the team's performance and (2) ensuring that each team member flourishes. Which statement is correct?

A) Both statements are correct.
B) Only statement 1 is correct.
C) Only statement 2 is correct.

Question 62

Which of the following characteristics is least likely to be reflected in a SMART goal?

A) Specific
B) Measurable
C) Altruistic
D) Realistic but stretching
E) Time-bound

Question 63

The following behaviors are key to building and maintaining credibility among team members: (1) Be clear and consistent, (2) Manage agreement and disagreement, (3) Encourage and coach, and (4) Provide training. Which statements are correct?

A) All four statements are correct.
B) Only statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
C) Only statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct.
D) Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
E) Only statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

Question 64

Which does an Everest goal require?

A) A completion date
B) An external reward to act as a source of motivation
C) An alignment to societal norms
D) A connection to profound meaning and purpose
E) A standard higher than any others

Question 65

Which of the following behaviors is least likely to result in building credibility and influence among team members?

A) Being flexible and open about what the team should achieve
B) Demonstrating integrity by "walking the talk"
C) Creating positive energy by being optimistic and complimentary
D) Sharing information that involves having knowledge about the tasks and the external environment

Question 66

If your team is moving into the performing stage, which behaviors are you most likely to see?

A) Social interaction leading to increased trust
B) Development of shared standards and expectations
C) High levels of coordination
D) Coalitions forming

Question 67

What is a role called that helps the team accomplish its objectives?

A) Task-facilitating role
B) Relationship-building role
C) Tension-relieving role
D) Census-building role

Question 68

A vision statement containing the following language, "We are all part of a journey to create an extraordinary corporation ... we want to be the catalyst for discovering new ways for people to do things," would be most appealing to team members from countries where which culture is predominate?

A) Diffuse
B) Collectivist
C) Neutral
D) Affective

Question 69

If the team works to build core competencies and encourage creative problem solving, what stage of team development is the team at?

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

Question 70

If you find that you ask yourself this question, "How can we foster innovativeness and creativity? ", what stage is your team most likely at?

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

Question 71

Jun builds on the ideas of others by providing examples and illustrations. What role is Jun playing?

A) Elaborating role
B) Supportive role
C) Information-giving role
D) Energizing role

Question 72

Which is a good example of an Everest goal?

A) One computer for each person throughout the world
B) Achieve a 5% improvement in on-time delivery of technology products by the end of the quarter
C) Increase customer satisfaction by the end of the year
D) None of the statements are examples of an Everest goal.

Question 73

Your team is one of the highest performing teams you have ever worked with. In describing the attributes of your team, you are likely to describe all of the following except

A) how your team works together toward a shared purpose.
B) how your team self-evaluates and holds each other accountable.
C) the extraordinarily high quality your team achieves.
D) how your team follows formal separation of roles.
E) how your team is clear on each other's unique talents and the strategic advantages of the team.

Question 74

Barry is known to challenge unproductive behavior in team meetings by consistently trying to ensure his team members display proper behavior. What role is Barry playing?

A) Task-facilitating role
B) Enforcing role
C) Confronting role
D) Monitoring role

Question 75

Teddy Roosevelt once said, "There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism... The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities." How does this statement compare to the criteria of an Everest goal?

A) It has the necessary characteristics to be considered an Everest goal.
B) It lacks specific objectives.
C) It lacks interest.
D) It lacks passion.

Question 76

Vince emphasizes the interpersonal aspects of the team. He focuses on assisting team members to feel good about one another. What type of role is Vince playing?

A) Task-facilitating role
B) Relationship-building role
C) Forming role
D) Reality-testing role

Question 77

Team members from which orientation are more likely to expect to be involved in the creation and articulation of goals?

A) Individualist
B) Collectivist
C) Neutral
D) Affective

Question 78

All of the following accurately describe the behaviors you should exhibit during the stages of team development except

A) establish structure and clarity during the forming stage.
B) show support and encourage participation during the norming stage.
C) encourage helpful expressions of differences in the storming stage.
D) ensure compliance to company policies while achieving excellence.

Question 79

Which of the following would you most likely see in the performing stage of team development?

A) Team members developing self-awareness
B) Team members improving the competence of other team members
C) Team leaders reinforcing team commitment to and recognition of team-level performance
D) Team leaders managing stress

Question 80

As a team leader, Ginger's team has recently been assigned to develop a new product that is viewed as a risky assignment in her company. To build credibility, what is best for Ginger to do?

A) Focus primarily on managing agreement and disagreement among her team members during this assignment
B) Express views with which her team members can agree, such as "We have a lot of diversity of opinion in our team regarding this assignment."
C) Ask the human resources department to provide training that focuses on creative thinking to her team members
D) Provide her team members with statistics related to the number of new products that have succeeded