Deck 3: Communication: the Vital Link in Supervisory Management

Question 1

The grapevine is part of the formal communication channel established by the organization.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Upward formal communication channels normally involve discussions and meetings between department heads.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Supervisors should never listen to the grapevine.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Effective communication means a successful transfer of information, meaning, and understanding from a sender to a receiver.

Question 5

In order to be considered effective communication, the transmission of information must be put in writing.

Question 6

Grapevines fulfill employee needs, including the needs for information and socialization.

Question 7

The skills of effective communication can be developed.

Question 8

If an idea received has the same meaning as the one intended, effective communication has occurred.

Question 9

A supervisor's ability to communicate effectively will be a crucial element in determining the success or failure of that supervisor.

Question 10

Horizontal communication is concerned with communication between between people at the same level of the organization.

Question 11

Silence is considered a form of body language.

Question 12

Most supervisors find it easier to engage in upward communication rather than downward communication.

Question 13

Horizontal communication usually occurs between people who are usually on the same level of the management hierarchy in different departments.

Question 14

The grapevine can offer considerable insight into employees' thoughts and feelings.

Question 15

An analysis of supervisory activities would likely find that more than 75% of their workday involves giving and receiving information.

Question 16

The downward channel of communication involves supervisors giving instructions.

Question 17

The greatest single advantage of oral communication is that it takes less time than written communication.

Question 18

Upward communication is necessary so that supervisors can convey their ideas concerning activities related to their work to upper management.

Question 19

Supervisors should attempt to eliminate the grapevine in order to reduce the number of distracting rumors in the workplace.

Question 20

Upward, downward, and vertical communication are the three formal channels found within an organization.

Question 21

Most people tend to value information overload because it helps them to be well informed employees.

Question 22

It often times helps to repeat a message several times, preferably using differnt words and differnt methods.

Question 23

Obstacles that distort messages between people can be called noise.

Question 24

"That's the best idea I have heard all day" is a killer phrase.

Question 25

The responsibility for upward communication typically falls on the supervisor.

Question 26

In terms of communication skills, supervisory effectiveness mostly will be determined by the supervisor's:

A) Ability to communicate in different languages.
B) Ability to transfer information and ideas to employees.
C) Ability to retain information for later use.
D) None of the above.

Question 27

Stereotyping is a barrier to effective communication.

Question 28

Downward communication does not involve supervisors:

A) Receiving instructions.
B) Explaining information
C) Explaining procedures
D) Training employees.

Question 29

Ann needs to talk to her supervisor, Mikayla, who is working feverishly on the departmental budget (which must be turned in to Mikayla's boss in one hour). If Mikayla wants to be an effective supervisor, however, she should immediately put aside the budget and instead focus attentively on Ann and her concerns.

Question 30

Asking the listener if the instructions are clear is the best feedback technique.

Question 31

Because of the number of responsibilities that supervisors have, they are not required to contribute timely suggestions and ideas to their managers.

Question 32

The jargon used by an accountant is meaningful to a computer technician.

Question 33

Repetition can be a useful method to improve the effectiveness of communication.

Question 34

In most organizations, policies, rules, information, guidelines, instructions, and goals follow which communication channel?

A) Upward.
B) Horizontal.
C) Informal.
D) Downward.

Question 35

Before communicating, think through the point you wish to communicate so that it is clear in your mind.

Question 36

Feedback is by far the most important method of improving communication.

Question 37

During decoding, senders put messages into forms that receivers can interpret.

Question 38

Upward communication involves:

A) Giving directions.
B) Asking questions.
C) Making decisions.
D) Providing training.

Question 39

Studies have shown that supervisors spend almost all of their time sending and receiving information.

Question 40

It is never a good idea to filter information when relaying information to others.

Question 41

All of the following are barriers to effective communication, EXCEPT:

A) Jargon.
B) Filtering.
C) Noise.
D) Feedback

Question 42

Which of the following statements about the Internet and TMI is NOT true?

A) Internet use can become a time-consuming activity for some employees.
B) Lost productivity has resulted from inappropriate Internet use at work.
C) The Internet has the potential to give employees resources to do a better job.
D) Most businesses do not believe Internet surfing by their employees to be problematic.

Question 43

Why does effective communication mean better supervision?

Question 44

Which of the following statements concerning the "grapevine" is CORRECT?

A) Supervisors should tune into the grapevine because it can offer considerable insight.
B) The grapevine is not important to the supervisor and does not affect the supervisor.
C) The best cure for rumors on the grapevine is to ignore them so they will go away.
D) The grapevine is a formal channel of organizational communication.

Question 45

All of the following are methods by which supervisors can manage meetings with their managers, EXCEPT:

A) Respect the boss's time.
B) Analyze the boss's listening style.
C) Commit to the truth.
D) Filter the information that is provided to your boss.

Question 46

The most effective feedback technique is probably to:

A) Tell the receiver to come to you with questions.
B) Observe the receiver's body language.
C) Evaluate the end result.
D) None of the above.

Question 47

Which of the following statements regarding repetition of the message is CORRECT?

A) You should never repeat your message because it is very annoying and insulting.
B) It is helpful to repeat a message several times using different words or methods.
C) You should repeat every message at least 15 times.
D) Repetition of messages is not important for supervisors.

Question 48

Which of the following is an element of body language?

A) Silence.
B) A shrug.
C) A handshake
D) All of the above.

Question 49

The first major step toward becoming a better communicator is:

A) Putting every message in writing.
B) Thinking through the message before sharing the informaton.
C) Asking questions.
D) None of the above.

Question 50

Jerry just began a new job as a supervisor and has been receiving various memos from upper management. He is reluctant to share some of the content of those memos with his subordinates. He will most likely engage in the process of:

A) Filtering.
B) Status.
C) Jargon.
D) Resistance to change.

Question 51

One of the best ways a supervisor can stop a workplace rumor is to:

A) Ignore it.
B) Eliminate all traces of the grapevine from the workplace.
C) Expose its untruthfulness.
D) Severely punish those responsible for spreading the rumor.

Question 52

Examples of noise include:

A) Music.
B) Visual distractions.
C) Personal life problems.
D) All of the above.

Question 53

The most important method available to assure that proper comprehension of a message has occurred is through the use of:

A) Preparation and planning.
B) Direct and clear language.
C) Communicating in a calm atmosphere.
D) Feedback.

Question 54

Which of the following are NOT effective ways to manage meetings with the boss:

A) Plan your agenda.
B) Filter information.
C) Respect the boss's time.
D) Learn to say no.

Question 55

It is Marissa's first day on the job as the office manager for a law firm. Many of the words that the lawyers are using to communicate with each other are unfamiliar to Marissa. The lawyers are probably engaging in the use of:

A) Jargon
B) Filtering.
C) The timing factor.
D) Stereotyping.

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of oral communication over written communication?

A) It takes less time.
B) There is more formality and permanence with oral communication.
C) It can provide an immediate opportunity for determining whether the communication has been effective.
D) Most people can express themselves more easily and completely by voice rather than by letter or memo.

Question 57

What takes place during downward communication?

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a good guideline for effective listening?

A) Doodling while the person is talking.
B) Adopting an attitude that you will always have something to learn.
C) Wait until the person is done speaking before asking questions.
D) Establish eye contact with the speaker.

Question 59

Which of the following statements is CORRECT regarding visual communication in business?

A) Visual communication is confusing and should not be utilized.
B) Visual communication is most effective when used without any other form of communication.
C) Visual communication is particularly effective when used in connection with well-chosen words.
D) None of the above is a correct statement.

Question 60

Elliot works for a very small company but feels very uncomfortable asking the president of the company any questions during the open meetings that are held every Friday. One probable reason for his discomfort is:

A) Semantics.
B) Status and position.
C) Stereotyping.
D) Jargon.

Question 61

The communication process is fraught with many potential problems. Describe some of the barriers that can potentially interfere with this process.

Question 62

Why is an agenda so important when planning for a meeting with one's boss?

Question 63

What can a supervisor do to ensure effective communication?

Question 64

What are some guidelines to follow when using electronic communication systems such as e-mail, fax, and voice-mail systems?

Question 65

What are the advantages and disadvantages of oral communication?