Question 1

Empowerment involves trade-offs; if some people feel empowered, others will not experience it.

Accepted Answer

Empowerment is not a zero-sum game; it aims to increase the autonomy and self-determination in all people to enable them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, without diminishing others' ability to do the same.

Question 2

As a manager, Bill understands the concept of empowerment. He recognizes he can empower his employees by creating circumstances in which his employees feel empowered.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly describes the understanding of empowerment by a manager and the way in which they can empower their employees by creating suitable circumstances.

Question 3

The dimension of empowerment that would most likely help a person overcome a smoking addiction is meaningfulness.

Accepted Answer

The dimension of empowerment that would most likely help a person overcome a smoking addiction is self-efficacy, which refers to one's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task, such as quitting smoking.

Question 4

Alane is very passionate about her work for the American Cancer Society, experiencing a strong sense of self-worth from her job. Of the five dimensions, Alane would probably score highest on the meaningfulness dimension of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The meaningfulness dimension of empowerment focuses on feelings of purpose and significance in one's work, which aligns with Alane's passion for her job at the American Cancer Society.

Question 5

Many managers and employees are reluctant to accept empowerment, but they are even more reluctant to offer empowerment. If a rationale offered by management is "I'm willing to empower people, but when I do, they either mess things up or try to grab all the glory," the issue is a need for control.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many managers and employees are reluctant to...

Question 6

Kenneth derives a great deal of satisfaction from work and has decided to open his own motorcycle store. He would probably score high on the self-determination dimension of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The self-determination dimension of empowerment pertains to an individual's ability to direct their own work and make decisions. As Kenneth has decided to open his own store he is likely to have a high level of self-determination, indicating option A is correct.

Question 7

If you create a picture of the desired future through word pictures and moving language, you have satisfied the emotional arousal prescription for empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you create a picture of the...

Question 8

You have recently been promoted to a managerial position and have been assigned a mentor who will provide you with guidance. The assignment of a mentor is related to the providing of information guideline of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You have recently been promoted to a...

Question 9

After you have arrived at work, your boss emails some tasks she would like for you to do by the end of the day. Your boss practices the "wait to be told" initiative.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the boss sent specific tasks to be completed by the end of the day indicates that the boss expects the employee to wait for instructions rather than take initiative on their own. Therefore, the boss practices the "wait to be told" initiative.

Question 10

Joe implemented the following policy effective immediately: All employees have discretion to resolve customer complaints on the spot. This is most closely linked with creating confidence to foster empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Joe implemented the following policy effective immediately:...

Question 11

You recently attended a Mary Kay Cosmetics regional meeting where you received a pink Cadillac for your achievements. This is most closely linked to modeling effective praise to foster empowerment.

Accepted Answer

Receiving a pink Cadillac for achievements at a Mary Kay Cosmetics regional meeting is an example of providing tangible rewards or incentives for performance, rather than modeling effective praise to foster empowerment. Effective praise typically involves verbal or written recognition of specific accomplishments or behaviors to encourage and empower individuals, rather than offering physical rewards.

Question 12

Empowering others is neither easy nor natural for managers. However, it does not require a great amount of self-sacrifice, and managers can actually multiply their own effectiveness through empowerment.

Accepted Answer

Empowering others may not come naturally to managers, but it can enhance their own effectiveness and does not require a significant amount of self-sacrifice.

Question 13

Empowerment is viewed as a "pull" strategy, which involves managers designing a work situation so that it energizes and encourages employees to pursue work that is meaningful to them.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Empowerment is a strategy that involves giving employees more autonomy and control over their work, which can increase their motivation and job satisfaction. This approach is considered a "pull" strategy because it encourages employees to take ownership of their work and to seek out opportunities for growth and development.

Question 14

Fostering personal mastery experiences is related to the self-efficacy dimension of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

Fostering personal mastery experiences involves providing opportunities for individuals to develop new skills and achieve success, which can increase their belief in their own abilities (self-efficacy). Therefore, it is related to the self-efficacy dimension of empowerment.

Question 15

You have decided to provide information to enhance empowerment among your employees. The information should be relevant to the employees' tasks and department.

Accepted Answer

Providing relevant information for employees to enhance empowerment will allow them to make more informed decisions about their tasks and responsibilities in their department. This can lead to increased confidence and job satisfaction, ultimately improving productivity and overall success for the organization.

Question 16

Your department is average in its performance. You believe if you were in charge, the department would perform above average. Of the five dimensions, you would probably score highest on the self-efficacy dimension of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your department is average in its performance....

Question 17

People who score high on the trust dimension of empowerment are more direct, open, honest, self-assured, and willing to cooperate with others.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. People who score high on trust tend to have positive behavioral traits such as being direct, open, honest, self-assured, and cooperative with others. Trust is a fundamental aspect of empowerment, and individuals who have trust in their own abilities and in the abilities of others tend to be more empowered.

Question 18

You write notes of praise to employees, as well as to their family members and co-workers, in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments. This most closely relates to providing support to encourage empowerment.

Accepted Answer

Providing praise and recognition to employees is a form of support that can encourage empowerment by acknowledging their accomplishments and reinforcing positive behavior.

Question 19

People that take initiative and like to try out new ideas would probably score high on the self-determination dimension of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Self-determination, one of the dimensions of empowerment, refers to the sense of control individuals have over their own lives, goals, and decisions. People who take initiative and are willing to try out new ideas are exhibiting a high level of self-determination because they are actively taking control and making decisions for themselves.

Question 20

Julie is reluctant to embrace empowerment as her employees have not had the necessary training to accomplish the work assigned to her purchasing department. Her belief is likely based on her attitudes about her employees.

Accepted Answer

Julie's reluctance to embrace empowerment is likely based on her attitudes about her employees, suggesting that she may not have confidence in their capabilities or may view them as lacking necessary skills or experience.

Quiz 8: Empowering and Engaging Others