Question 1

Which of the following statements/questions best illustrates communicating with candor?

Accepted Answer

Option B expresses the frustration without attacking or accusing the other person. It also mentions the impact it has on the work, which creates a collaborative tone in finding a solution. Option A attacks the other person, while options C and D can be seen as confrontational and judgmental. Option E is incorrect as not all options illustrate communicating with candor.

Question 2

__________ isthe amount of information that can be transmitted during a communication episode.

Accepted Answer

Channel richness refers to the amount of information that can be transmitted during a communication episode. It depends on the ability of the channel to convey nonverbal cues, provide immediate feedback, and facilitate personal interaction.

Question 3

Louise, a top-level manager at INF Inc., has the difficult task of informing 12 employees that they are about to be laid off. Which communication channel should Louise use to break the news?

Accepted Answer

The best communication channel to use when delivering sensitive and difficult news such as layoffs is through face-to-face communication. This allows for a two-way dialogue where the employees can ask questions and express their concerns, and Louise can deliver the news with empathy and provide additional support to the employees. E-mail, instant messaging, telephone, or a handwritten letter do not provide the same level of personal touch and could come across as cold or insensitive.

Question 4

Compared to men, women tend to:

Accepted Answer

Women often use a conversational style that emphasizes involvement and connection, rather than just demonstrating knowledge or skill.

Question 5

Research has shown that a culture of __________ communication offers many benefits to an organization and its employees, including higher productivity, better decision making, and lower turnover rates.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that an open communication culture, where employees are encouraged to share their ideas, thoughts and concerns without fear of retribution, not only enhances employee satisfaction, but also helps foster creativity and innovation, increases employee engagement and ultimately improves organizational performance. This type of culture also helps to minimize miscommunication, conflicts and misunderstandings, resulting in better decision-making, more effective problem-solving and lower turnover rates. Downward communication is top-down and one-sided, formal communication is often rigid and lacks flexibility, closed communication is characterized by limited information sharing and horizontal communication is lateral or peer-to-peer, which are all inadequate for promoting a culture of open communication.

Question 6

One important factor that shapes a manager's selection of a communication channel is:

Accepted Answer

The amount of information to be communicated is an important factor that shapes a manager's selection of a communication channel. Different channels are suitable for different levels of information, and choosing the wrong channel can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and inefficiency. Therefore, a manager must carefully consider the amount of information to be communicated and select a channel that is appropriate for the task at hand. While the other factors listed may also be relevant, the amount of information to be communicated is generally the most important factor to consider when choosing a communication channel.

Question 7

Which of the following is the richest medium for communication?

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face discussion is the richest medium for communication because it allows for verbal and nonverbal cues, including tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. These cues can enhance the meaning and understanding of the message. Additionally, face-to-face interaction allows for immediate feedback and clarification, leading to more effective communication.

Question 8

Channel richness is the:

Accepted Answer

Channel richness refers to the ability of a communication channel to convey information. It is not about the amount of messages or channels, nor about the speed or profitability potential of a channel. It is rather about how much information can be transmitted during a communication episode. Therefore, the best choice is C, "amount of information that can be transmitted during a communication episode."

Question 9

Which of the following communication channels should not be used when a permanent record is required?

Accepted Answer

A telephone call does not provide a permanent record as there is no written or recorded documentation of the conversation. Therefore, it should not be used when a permanent record is required. The other options listed (memo, e-mail, letter, report) all provide a written record that can be referenced in the future.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a way to effectively communicate to persuade or influence others?

Accepted Answer

"Use 'I statements'" is not a way to effectively communicate to persuade or influence others as it tends to be self-centered and can come across as confrontational. It is better to use "we" or "us" statements to create a sense of collaboration and unity with the audience.

Question 11

Sharon is part of a software engineering team. Her task is to develop a diagnostic program for the medical profession. This is a very complex task. What type of communication structure would work best for her group?

Accepted Answer

Since Sharon's team is working on a complex task, decentralization would be the best choice of communication structure. In a decentralized structure, decision-making is dispersed among the group members, which allows for more creative solutions and efficient problem-solving. This structure also fosters collaboration and teamwork, which is essential for a complex project like designing a diagnostic program for the medical profession. The decentralized structure ensures that every member of the team has equal input and responsibility, which contributes to the success of the project.

Question 12

Which of the following is a communication channel a manager might possibly use?

Accepted Answer

All of these are possible communication channels that a manager might use. It is important for a manager to choose the communication channel that is most appropriate for the situation and the message they want to convey. For example, a quick message or update could be sent via email or social media, while a more sensitive or complex issue may require a face-to-face conversation or telephone call.

Question 13

Which communication channel would be most successful to inform managers of an impending company-wide layoff?

Accepted Answer

A face-to-face discussion would be the most successful communication channel to inform managers of an impending company-wide layoff. This method allows for a personal approach, the opportunity for questions and answers, and the ability to address any concerns or emotions that may arise.

Question 14

A centralized network is:

Accepted Answer

In a centralized network, the team members communicate through one individual to make decisions. This is in contrast to a decentralized network where team members are free to interact with any other team member. Therefore, the correct choice is B.

Question 15

When interviewing prospective employees, Samuel, a seasoned manager, often observes hand gestures, facial expressions, and use of space to gauge individuals' personalities. These are all examples of:

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication refers to the conveyance of meanings through means other than verbal language. Hand gestures, facial expressions, and use of space are all examples of nonverbal communication. Samuel is using nonverbal communication to gauge the personalities of prospective employees.

Question 16

Selina is meeting with her subordinate, Mike, for his annual performance review. At the end of the review, Mike tells Selina that he is confused about some things she said. By asking Selina to explain certain things in more detail, Mike is engaging in which component of the communication process?

Accepted Answer

Mike is providing feedback by asking Selina to clarify certain things she said during the performance review.

Question 17

A __________ refers to a communication structure in which team members freely communicate with one another and arrive at decisions together.

Accepted Answer

A decentralized network allows for open communication and collaboration among team members, leading to a more democratic decision-making process. Centralized networks typically rely on a single individual to make decisions and can stifle communication, while linear and circular networks have a more rigid flow of communication that may inhibit collaboration. "Gossip structure" is not a recognized term in organizational communication and is not an appropriate answer choice.

Question 18

YouTube is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

YouTube is a content community where users can upload, share, and view videos. It is not a wiki, blog, microblog, or virtual social world as its primary focus is on sharing and viewing video content rather than collaborative editing, personal writing, short status updates, or creating avatars in a virtual space.

Question 19

The traditional top-down, command-and-control approach to organizational communication is giving way to a more dynamic form of communication that is characterized by __________, which involves a give-and-take exchange of information.

Accepted Answer

The term "organizational conversations" accurately describes the more dynamic form of communication that involves a give-and-take exchange of information, as mentioned in the question. Redundant communications and communication apprehension are not necessarily characteristics of this new communication style, while upward communication refers specifically to communication from lower-level employees to higher-level managers and does not fully capture the breadth of the changes happening in organizational communication. Gossip, while a type of communication, is generally not viewed as a positive or effective form of organizational communication.

Question 20

Managers' communication is __________-directed, in that it directs everyone's attention toward the vision, values, and desired goals of the team or organization and influences people to act in a way that will help to achieve those goals.

Accepted Answer

Managers' communication is purpose-directed, meaning it aims to guide people towards the achievement of the team or organization's goals and objectives. While image, idea, communication, and need may also play a role in managerial communication, they are not the central focus and do not necessarily guide others towards a specific purpose.

Quiz 17: Managing Communication