Question 1

The term "interdependence" as it relates to a team refers to the tenure of the members.

Accepted Answer

The term "interdependence" in a team refers to the degree to which members rely on each other to achieve their common goals, not their tenure.

Question 2

With regard to the question of team size (i.e.,how big the team should be),all of the following are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Larger teams are not necessarily more cohesive and may even be harder to manage and coordinate effectively. Research suggests that teams of 5-9 members tend to be most effective, although the ideal team size can vary depending on the task and context. Choices A, B, and C are all generally true.

Question 3

Managers frequently fault the wrong causes for team failure.Often,what is the real key causal factor in underperforming teams?

Accepted Answer

Faulty team design is often the real key causal factor in underperforming teams. This includes issues like unclear goals, inadequate resources or training, poor communication, and a lack of roles and responsibilities. While external forces and difficult personalities can certainly make things more challenging, addressing the underlying design issues is often necessary to turn the team's performance around. The manager's talent in acquiring resources is important, but it is not the only or even necessarily the most important factor.

Question 4

After a study was done of teams at Xerox,several defining features of superbly performing teams emerged which included: clear direction,a team task,material resources,rewards,goals,strategic norms and:

Accepted Answer

The other options do not necessarily guarantee superb team performance. Cultural homogeneity may lead to groupthink and a lack of diversity. A centralized decision-making structure may stifle creativity and innovation. Large team size can lead to communication and coordination problems. Therefore, the authority to manage their work is the best choice as it empowers the team to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

Question 5

In contrast to a team,a working group differs from a team because:

Accepted Answer

A working group differs from a team because the members are not interdependent, meaning they work independently on their own tasks and do not rely on each other to achieve a shared goal. They also do not have collective responsibilities or rewards for their production outcome, unlike a team where members work together towards a common goal and share the responsibilities and rewards of the team's success. The statement D is also incorrect as the success of a working team should not solely rely on their manager's social network.

Question 6

Unless companies and managers take the time to understand the different work and value systems of different generations of workers,multigenerational teams will work under frustrating conditions.Values that should be considered when composing a team of different generational members include the importance of family,team versus individual orientation,achievement orientation and:

Accepted Answer

The person's need for feedback, attention, and coaching can differ depending on their generational background, and understanding this is important for effective team composition. The other options do not directly relate to generational differences in the workplace.

Question 7

The dominant feature of tactical teams is ________; the dominant feature of problem-solving teams is ________; the dominant feature of creative teams is ________.

Accepted Answer

Tactical teams require clarity to execute tasks efficiently, problem-solving teams need trust to collaborate effectively, and creative teams thrive on autonomy to innovate.

Question 8

In 2015,more than one-in-three American workers were Millennials,now the largest segment of the U.S.workforce.

Accepted Answer

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) became the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, comprising more than one-in-three American workers.

Question 9

Changes in corporate structure and increases in specialization imply that there will be new boundaries among team members in an organization,such as:

Accepted Answer

As corporate structures become more specialized, team members will need to coordinate and synchronize their knowledge with those of suppliers, peers, and customers to integrate their work effectively. This implies the need for increased collaboration across boundaries and more virtual teamwork. Manager-led teams may not necessarily increase because there may be a need for more self-managing teams to foster innovation and creativity in the face of changing business conditions. Face-to-face environments may still be necessary, but technology has expanded the reach and flexibility of virtual teams.

Question 10

Which of the following techniques is one of the most effective ways for teams to learn and improve?

Accepted Answer

Failure can provide valuable lessons and insights for teams, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and make improvements. Repetition, success, and incentives/competition can also be useful strategies, but they may not necessarily lead to the same level of learning and growth as failure.

Question 11

A leader who coaches,directs,and instructs their team,but has team members who help the leader learn from their perspective,is a team who engages in:

Accepted Answer

Double-loop learning is a process where team members not only learn from their mistakes or successes but also challenge underlying assumptions and beliefs that drive those actions. In this scenario, the leader is coaching, directing and instructing the team, but team members are also providing feedback and helping the leader learn from their perspective. This creates a culture of introspection and a willingness to change fundamental beliefs if required, which is characteristic of double-loop learning.

Question 12

The key to a manager unlocking the pervasive,inert knowledge in their team lies in:

Accepted Answer

Using examples to illustrate and convey concepts is a more effective method for unlocking inert knowledge in a team compared to lecture-based teaching. By using relatable examples, a manager can help their team make connections between abstract concepts and real-world situations. This can help activate the dormant knowledge that exists within the team.

Question 13

A cardiac surgery team is an example of a ________ team; the Sandia Nuclear Weapons laboratory team is an example of a ________ team.

Accepted Answer

A cardiac surgery team is tactical as it follows specific procedures to achieve a precise outcome. The Sandia Nuclear Weapons laboratory team is problem-solving as it focuses on addressing complex issues and developing solutions.

Question 14

Of the following types of skills,which one is least important to consider when selecting members for a team?

Accepted Answer

Intuitive skills are subjective and difficult to measure, making them difficult to use as a basis for selecting team members. Technical skills, task-management skills, and interpersonal skills are all important for the success of a team and should be considered when selecting team members.

Question 15

Effective managers make mistakes,but they don't make the same mistakes over and over again.When a manager commits to continually learning and benefitting from their mistakes and experiences,this model is called:

Accepted Answer

Expert learning involves continuously learning from experiences and mistakes to improve future decision-making and performance.

Question 16

With the ability to communicate with others anywhere on the planet,people and resources that were once remote can now be reached quickly,easily,and inexpensively.This has facilitated and encouraged the development of the ________ team.

Accepted Answer

The ability to communicate with others anywhere on the planet has facilitated and encouraged the development of virtual teams, which are composed of geographically dispersed individuals who work together towards a common goal using technology-mediated communication.

Question 17

To be successful in the long run,teams need ongoing resources and support,information,education,and:

Accepted Answer

Goals and good communication skills are essential for team success because they provide direction, focus, and clarity to team members. Goals define what the team is working towards and communication skills help team members to understand each other's ideas, expectations and work together effectively. While team building retreats can be helpful, they are not ongoing resources and support that teams need, and competition and an unaligned incentive structure can actually harm team collaboration. An authoritarian manager can create fear and tension within the team, of which is not useful for long term success.

Question 18

For tactical teams to be successful,there must be ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

A high degree of task clarity and unambiguous role definition are crucial for tactical teams to operate successfully. This ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them, and there is no confusion or overlap in responsibilities. Ambiguous problems and limited emphasis on formal organizational structures can lead to confusion and ineffective decision-making. Additionally, while freedom to innovate and questioning assumptions can be beneficial, they are not the most important factors for success in tactical teams. Similarly, the ability to think out of the box and work remotely may be helpful, but they are not essential for success.

Question 19

Of the following teams,which one is a predominantly problem-solving team?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following teams,which one is a...

Question 20

A ________ is a group of expert specialists each of whom has a specific role position,performs brief tasks that are closely synchronized with others,and can perform those actions in different environmental conditions.

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question perfectly fits the definition of a crew. A crew is a team of skilled and specialized individuals who work together to achieve a common goal, and each member performs a specific role that is interconnected with others. Crew members are expected to work in sync with each other in any environmental conditions. Hence, the correct choice is B.

Quiz 1: Making the Team: a Guide for Managers