Question 1

Which is a characteristic of a powerful manager?
A)Is rule-minded
B)Accomplishes more personally
C)Does more with less resources available
D)Limits information that others get

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is a characteristic of a powerful...

Question 2

If you ask your employees to work overtime in exchange for an extended weekend,you are utilizing the retribution influence strategy.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the exchange influence strategy, not retribution. Retribution would involve punishing employees for not working overtime, rather than offering a reward.

Question 3

The most appropriate strategy to neutralize a retribution strategy used by your boss would be to focus your boss's attention on your independence.

Accepted Answer

A retribution strategy by a boss typically involves punitive actions or threats for perceived wrongs. Focusing on demonstrating your independence might escalate the situation or be perceived as defiance. A more effective approach would be to address the issue directly, seek to understand the concerns, and work towards a resolution that aligns with organizational goals and values.

Question 4

What should you do to increase your influence within the organization?
A)Be insensitive to others
B)Trust no one and betray others before they betray you
C)Continuously play the game of politics
D)Never delegate assignments to others
E)Advance the goals of the organization

Accepted Answer

The best choice to increase your influence within the organization is to advance the goals of the organization. By doing so, you establish yourself as a valuable member of the team who is dedicated to the success of the company. This will lead to more opportunities for growth and advancement in the organization. None of the other options are beneficial, as being insensitive, untrusting, or manipulative will only harm your relationships with colleagues and damage your reputation within the company. Never delegating assignments also indicates a lack of trust in others and limits your ability to accomplish larger tasks.

Question 5

In order to neutralize reciprocity strategies,one should first examine the content of any favor-giving activity.

Accepted Answer

Examining the content of favor-giving activity can help identify whether it is a genuine act of kindness or a manipulation tactic to evoke reciprocity. Once this is understood, appropriate actions can be taken to counteract any potential reciprocity influence.

Question 6

Your supervisor remarks,"If you do not complete the project by 5:00 p.m.on Friday,you will not be able to go on vacation next week." This is an example of the retribution influence strategy.

Accepted Answer

The statement of the supervisor involves a threat of punishment if the project is not completed on time, which is a characteristic of the retribution influence strategy.

Question 7

Gerry has developed a new purchasing policy that not only focuses on expediting purchase orders but will also save the company money.To pitch this new policy to his boss,Gerry should use the influence strategy of reciprocity.

Accepted Answer

Reciprocity involves doing something for someone with the expectation that they will do something in return. Gerry's situation is better suited for the rational persuasion strategy, where he would use logical arguments and factual evidence to demonstrate how his new purchasing policy will benefit the company.

Question 8

Influence strategies used by managers to obtain compliance fall into three categories: retaliation,reciprocity,and reason.

Accepted Answer

The three categories of influence strategies used by managers to obtain compliance are actually retaliation, reward, and reason. Reciprocity is a principle of persuasion, but not a category of influence strategy.

Question 9

A potential disadvantage associated with the use of the reason influence strategy is that considerable time is required to build trust.

Accepted Answer

The reason influence strategy involves presenting logical arguments or evidence to persuade others. However, in order for the strategy to be effective, the person or group being persuaded must trust the person presenting the arguments. Building trust can take time, which may be a disadvantage if a quick decision or action is needed.

Question 10

Getting rid of routine activities,expanding task variety,and initiating new ideas may allow one to gain position power in an organization because flexibility has been increased.

Accepted Answer

By getting rid of routine activities, expanding task variety, and initiating new ideas, individuals are able to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in their work, which can increase their value to the organization and lead to the acquisition of position power.

Question 11

Members of a work team are in a meeting where the director of the department is present.At the end of the meeting,the presenter asks,"What are your reactions to my presentation?" The members of the work team look at the director and wait for his response.Which factors most likely determine a person's power in this organization?
A)Personal attributes
B)Being intimidating
C)Position characteristics

Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the director's power likely comes from their position of authority within the organization. Personal attributes or being intimidating may also contribute to a person's perceived power, but in this specific situation, it is the director's position characteristics that are most relevant.

Question 12

Which of the following characteristics are important sources of personal power?
A)Flexibility
B)Criticality
C)Relevance
D)Knowledge

Accepted Answer

Knowledge is an important source of personal power as it can increase one's confidence, credibility, and expertise in a certain field, making others more likely to listen to and follow their ideas and suggestions. Flexibility, criticality, and relevance may be important in certain situations, but are not necessarily sources of personal power on their own.

Question 13

What should subordinates perceive about their boss in order to feel a higher status in the organization and to feel higher morale?
A)He is on their side.
B)He has considerable downward influence.
C)He has considerable "clout."
D)He is equal to them.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What should subordinates perceive about their boss...

Question 14

Which of the following is not an organizational trend that has caused a shift in the definition of power from "having authority over others" to "being able to get things done"?
A)Information technology is contributing to the decentralization of the flow of information to lower levels of the organizational hierarchy.
B)The percentage of the workforce working in companies with fewer than 500 employees is increasing.
C)Traditional boundaries within and between organizations are becoming blurred,leading to a shift in the nature of authority relationships.
D)Organizations are becoming less hierarchical,or flatter,due to downsizing and outsourcing.

Accepted Answer

This answer is not related to the organizational trend that has caused a shift in the definition of power. The other options (A, C, and D) are all examples of trends that have contributed to the shift in the definition of power.

Question 15

You have participated in a task force whose assignment was to decrease the customer return rate.The task force's written report was well received by top management.You have most likely increased your image power.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You have participated in a task force...

Question 16

Which of the following characteristics is not an important source of personal power?
A)Flexibility
B)Effort
C)Personal attraction
D)Expertise
E)Legitimacy

Accepted Answer

Flexibility, as important as it may be in certain situations, is not necessarily a source of personal power. The other options listed (effort, personal attraction, expertise, and legitimacy) are all important sources of personal power.

Question 17

The ability to transform power into influence hinges on securing the consent of others in ways that engender support and commitment instead of resistance and resentment.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the concept of power and influence in which consent and support are crucial for effective use of power. Without consent and support, power can lead to resistance and resentment instead of desired outcomes.

Question 18

You have been told that in order to advance your career you must be overly ambitious and be indifferent to problems others face.Is this good or bad advice?
A)This is good advice.
B)This is bad advice.
C)There is not enough information to decide.

Accepted Answer

Being overly ambitious and indifferent to problems others face may lead to personal success in the short term, but it creates a toxic work environment and can harm relationships with coworkers and superiors in the long run. Collaborating and showing empathy towards others can lead to a more successful and fulfilling career in the long term.

Question 19

What are the two basic factors that influence a person's power in an organization?
A)Personal goals and position characteristics
B)Position characteristics and personal aspirations
C)Personal attributes and position manipulation
D)Personal attributes and position characteristics

Accepted Answer

The two basic factors that influence a person's power in an organization are their personal attributes and the position characteristics they hold within the organization. Personal attributes such as expertise, reputation, and communication skills can increase one's power, while position characteristics such as formal authority, control over resources, and access to information can also influence power. Together, these two factors can determine a person's level of influence and ability to affect change within the organization.

Question 20

If you are the only one in the office who understands how to do a PowerPoint presentation,which base of power do you most likely have?
A)Expertise power
B)Personal attraction power
C)Effort power
D)Legitimacy power
E)Relevance power

Accepted Answer

Expertise power is the ability to influence others based on one's skills or knowledge in a particular area. Being the only one in the office who understands how to do a PowerPoint presentation implies that the person has a high level of expertise in this area, and therefore, has expertise power.

Quiz 5: Gaining Power and Influence

Which is a characteristic of a powerful manager?

If you ask your employees to work overtime in exchange for an extended weekend,you are utilizing the retribution influence strategy.

The most appropriate strategy to neutralize a retribution strategy used by your boss would be to focus your boss's attention on your independence.

What should you do to increase your influence within the organization?

In order to neutralize reciprocity strategies,one should first examine the content of any favor-giving activity.

Your supervisor remarks,"If you do not complete the project by 5:00 p.m.on Friday,you will not be able to go on vacation next week." This is an example of the retribution influence strategy.

Gerry has developed a new purchasing policy that not only focuses on expediting purchase orders but will also save the company money.To pitch this new policy to his boss,Gerry should use the influence strategy of reciprocity.

Influence strategies used by managers to obtain compliance fall into three categories: retaliation,reciprocity,and reason.

A potential disadvantage associated with the use of the reason influence strategy is that considerable time is required to build trust.

Getting rid of routine activities,expanding task variety,and initiating new ideas may allow one to gain position power in an organization because flexibility has been increased.

Which of the following characteristics are important sources of personal power?

What should subordinates perceive about their boss in order to feel a higher status in the organization and to feel higher morale?

Which of the following is not an organizational trend that has caused a shift in the definition of power from "having authority over others" to "being able to get things done"?

You have participated in a task force whose assignment was to decrease the customer return rate.The task force's written report was well received by top management.You have most likely increased your image power.

Which of the following characteristics is not an important source of personal power?

The ability to transform power into influence hinges on securing the consent of others in ways that engender support and commitment instead of resistance and resentment.

You have been told that in order to advance your career you must be overly ambitious and be indifferent to problems others face.Is this good or bad advice?

What are the two basic factors that influence a person's power in an organization?

If you are the only one in the office who understands how to do a PowerPoint presentation,which base of power do you most likely have?