Deck 10: Getting Along With Your Manager or Team Leader

Question 1

Which of the following is not recommended as a way of creating a strong presence?

A) Get involved in high visibility projects.
B) Get involved in teams.
C) Grab on to your manager's favourite tasks.
D) Make constructive suggestions about earning or saving money.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A customer has returned a purchase to a store because she discovered it was broken when she opened it at home. She is very angry and threatening not to buy from this store again. An employee with good emotional intelligence would:

A) know she probably broke the product herself and be quietly relieved that she will not be back.
B) attempt to persuade her that it was the supplier and not the store who is responsible for the defective product.
C) politely but firmly explain there is a policy of no refunds and refer her to a manager if she continues to argue.
D) disarm her by agreeing this purchase has been a frustrating waste of time for her and offer to personally locate another item which is in excellent condition.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

You are likely to create a good impression by showing interest in your firm's products or services because:

A) most companies count heavily on sales to employees.
B) most managers are paid by commissions.
C) many employees do not identify with the firm.
D) most employees disregard the welfare of the firm.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A recommended way of establishing rapport with your manager is to:

A) discuss mutual interests briefly.
B) wear almost identical clothing.
C) use an opposite approach to humour to avoid clashing.
D) decorate your work area just like the boss.

Question 5

An automotive technician at a car dealership is stepping outside his job description when he:

A) spots a problem the customer didn't notice.
B) takes a two-week vacation.
C) keeps his work uniform neat and clean.
D) entices a friend to buy a car at the dealership.

Question 6

A person with a strong work ethic is likely to do all but which of the following?

A) perform well on even minor tasks.
B) get projects completed on time.
C) ask a co-worker to handle free-floating responsibility.
D) assume personal responsibility for problems.

Question 7

A performance standard is a statement of what:

A) you hope to accomplish on the job.
B) constitutes acceptable performance.
C) you must do to get a raise.
D) the worker must do to retain a job.

Question 8

Viewing your boss from a personal perspective is considered to be:

A) violation of business ethics.
B) a form of hostile environment sexual harassment.
C) an effective approach to establishing rapport with him or her.
D) a form of role confusion.

Question 9

Which one of the following tactics is somewhat contradictory to the teachings of dealing directly with your manager?

A) Learn from your boss's mistakes.
B) Avoid bypassing your boss.
C) Appreciate your boss's strengths.
D) Minimize complaints.

Question 10

Complaining to your boss's boss about working conditions in your department violates the strategy called:

A) respect your boss's authority.
B) avoid bypassing your boss.
C) stay in touch.
D) minimize schmoozing.

Question 11

A major trend in today's workplace is for workers to:

A) report to more than one manager.
B) report to only one manager.
C) not have a manager.
D) change managers every six months.

Question 12

A recommended way of using the performance appraisal to impress your boss is to:

A) explain how you have performed better than your co-workers.
B) make suggestions for improving your job and the company.
C) demand a superior rating because you have high goals.
D) point out how your boss can improve as a manager.

Question 13

A problem associated with focusing on your manager's weaknesses is that you might:

A) be fired for insubordination.
B) copy the same weaknesses yourself.
C) not be voted "employee of the month."
D) communicate negative nonverbal signals to the manager.

Question 14

To make a favourable impression with a manager, an employee should:

A) point out his or her mistakes during a meeting.
B) dress in more expensive clothing than he or she does.
C) attempt to take full credit for your team's accomplishments.
D) anticipate future problems.

Question 15

Assisting your manager with a difficult problem he or she faces is included in the tactic:

A) display good job performance.
B) be dependable and honest.
C) appreciate your manager's strengths.
D) be loyal.

Question 16

The most vital strategy for impressing your manager is to:

A) take the initiative in asking for help.
B) display loyalty.
C) be dependable and honest.
D) display good job performance.

Question 17

A surgical nurse brings her complaint directly to the top administrator of the hospital. She is, therefore, violating the tactic called:

A) learn from your boss's mistakes.
B) stay in touch.
C) recognize that your boss has problems too.
D) avoid running around your boss.

Question 18

A study on the quality of interactions between supervisor and their employees indicated that:

A) agreeing with your supervisor's opinions usually backfires.
B) supervisors are impressed strictly by work performance.
C) favourable interactions lead to better performance.
D) avoiding the supervisor improves performance ratings.

Question 19

A person with a strong work ethic:

A) has a firm belief in the dignity and value of work.
B) will generally be willing to work for low wages.
C) is more ethical on the job than at home.
D) prefers being ethical to working hard.

Question 20

The tactic, find out what your boss expects of you, relates to the theory of:

A) leadership.
B) goal setting.
C) human relations.
D) defence mechanisms.

Question 21

A person with good emotional intelligence would not assist another employee unless asked to do so.

Question 22

The tactic of "creating a strong presence" refers basically to actions designed to make you visible and noted in the workplace.

Question 23

Dislike of the task is thought to demonstrate a strong work ethic because it shows that you are suffering.

Question 24

An important part of understanding your manager is to understand his or her position in the hierarchy.

Question 25

A micromanager is a manager who:

A) carefully monitors the work of group members.
B) has responsibility for small computers in the office.
C) enjoys punishing group members for small mistakes.
D) gives group members too much freedom.

Question 26

Keep in mind that when your boss takes credit for your suggestions:

A) he or she can legitimately take some credit.
B) he or she is usually violating organizational rules.
C) formal charges of misconduct can be brought against him or her.
D) you should request a transfer immediately.

Question 27

A thorough understanding of what your boss expects of you is usually explained in performance standards.

Question 28

During performance evaluation a recommended tactic for impressing your boss is to talk only about things that are going well.

Question 29

An employer quoted in the human relations text claimed that consistency in an employee is more valuable than flashes of brilliance.

Question 30

When delivering bad news to your manager, it is recommended that you:

A) feel guilty about all that has gone wrong.
B) act very excited to show that you care about the problem.
C) calmly point out how the company is facing a problem.
D) send the report in writing.

Question 31

A practical way of displaying a strong work ethic is to assume responsibility for free-floating problems.

Question 32

The distinguishing feature of a person with a strong work ethic is that he or she makes ethical decisions.

Question 33

A recommended way of developing a good relationship with your manager is to promote your company's products and services.

Question 34

When faced with competing demands from two managers, it is best to ignore the demands of the manager with the smaller job.

Question 35

If you appreciate your manager's strengths, this attitude is likely to reflect itself in positive body language.

Question 36

A highly recommended strategy for impressing your manager is to achieve outstanding job performance.

Question 37

A recommended way of establishing rapport with your manager is to get to know him from a personal perspective.

Question 38

Socializing with the boss can often lead to role confusion.

Question 39

A good way to impress most managers is to stick to tasks that are part of your job description, showing that you follow directions carefully.

Question 40

Stepping outside one's job description usually involves ignoring regular responsibilities.

Question 41

Research has shown that purposely trying to create a positive impression on the supervisor can improve one's performance ratings.

Question 42

The major strategy for getting away from a problem boss is to market yourself to other key managers in the company.

Question 43

A romantic involvement between a team leader and a group member is often disruptive to work and morale.

Question 44

Observing your boss do things wrong can be a good learning experience.

Question 45

Working for a micromanager is difficult because he or she would be hesitant to point out areas for improvement.

Question 46

Should your manager be fired, it could be a good learning opportunity for you.

Question 47

A "problem boss" is sometimes one who has been misperceived.