Question 1

Which of the following best describes level 2 of the Level 5 Hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best describes level...

Question 2

Decisional roles include all of the following except ________.

Accepted Answer

Spokesperson is an informational role, not a decisional role.

Question 3

According to the Level 5 Hierarchy, what skills must leaders demonstrate first?

Accepted Answer

According to the Level 5 Hierarchy, leaders must first demonstrate their competency before moving up the hierarchy to develop their team, manage people, and delegate responsibilities. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Question 4

Any form of bias that prevents talented employees from being promoted will put a firm at a distinct competitive disadvantage, particularly in terms of its ability to ________.

Accepted Answer

Bias that prevents talented employees from being promoted can discourage top performers and skilled individuals from joining the company or looking for other opportunities. Failing to attract and retain talented people can seriously undermine a firm's competitiveness, as human capital is a key asset for any organization looking to innovate, grow, and compete in today's market. While attracting and retaining customers, supply channels, and financial capital are important for business success, having a strong talent pool is critical for a firm's long-term viability and sustained performance.

Question 5

All of the following are examples of a leader's decisional roles except ________.

Accepted Answer

"Leader" is not a decisional role but rather a broader category that encompasses decision-making as well as other tasks such as communicating, inspiring, and motivating. The other three options - entrepreneur, disturbance handler, and negotiator - are specific decisional roles described by Henry Mintzberg in his management roles model.

Question 6

The leader's role of disseminator is best described by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The disseminator role involves the leader passing necessary information to internal stakeholders. This can include information about changes in the organization or industry, policies and procedures, and important updates or announcements. The leader often acts as a conduit of information between different departments or levels of the organization.

Question 7

As a negotiator, the CEO is usually concerned with all of the following activities except ________.

Accepted Answer

Hiring vendors is not typically a negotiation activity for a CEO, it is usually handled by the procurement department or other relevant function. The other activities listed all involve negotiations that a CEO might be involved in.

Question 8

The best description of the leader's role of spokesperson is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The spokesperson role of a leader involves communicating necessary information to external stakeholders such as customers, investors, and the media. This involves effectively representing the organization's values, goals, and message to the public. The other choices, such as gathering information, communicating with internal stakeholders, and designing the firm's strategy, are other important roles of a leader but do not describe the specific responsibility of being a spokesperson.

Question 9

Religion falls into the category of ________.

Accepted Answer

Religion is a demographic factor as it refers to the characteristics of a population such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and income.

Question 10

As spokespersons, CEOs perform such communication tasks as lobbying, public relations, and ________.

Accepted Answer

Lobbying and public relations are both communication tasks that involve persuading others to take a certain action or view. Formal reporting, recruiting, and financial analysis may be important tasks for a CEO, but they are not necessarily communication tasks in the same way. Forecasting may involve some communication, but it is not specifically listed as a task that a CEO performs as a spokesperson.

Question 11

Studies of psychological determinants of strategic leadership focus on four personality characteristics: locus of control, need for achievement, tolerance for risk or ambiguity, and ________.

Accepted Answer

The fourth personality characteristic studied in relation to strategic leadership is charisma and emotional intelligence. This refers to a leader's ability to inspire and influence others, as well as their emotional intelligence which includes self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

Question 12

Firms increasingly seek competitive advantage through the quality of their ________.

Accepted Answer

Human capital refers to the skills, knowledge, and abilities of a firm's employees. With the rise of knowledge-based industries, firms are increasingly recognizing the importance of investing in and developing their human capital to improve their competitive advantage. Technology, vendors, and equipment are also important for many firms, but the quality of human capital can often provide a more sustainable and adaptable source of competitive advantage.

Question 13

Demographics refers to all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Demographics refers to all but which of...

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the leader role of negotiator?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best describes the...

Question 15

Executive activities include interpersonal roles, informational roles, and ________.

Accepted Answer

The three types of executive roles are interpersonal roles (where the executive interacts with people both within and outside the organization), informational roles (where the executive gathers and disseminates information), and decisional roles (where the executive makes decisions). Therefore, the correct choice is A, decisional roles.

Question 16

Leader background differences include ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Leader background differences include ________.
...

Question 17

Superior executives are distinguished by a talent for ________.

Accepted Answer

While all the options listed can be important for an executive to possess, strategic thinking is often the most critical skill for a higher-level leader. It involves weighing options, analyzing consequences, and making decisions that align with the company's overall goals and objectives.

Question 18

Ambiguity arises from three main sources: novelty, insolubility, and ________.

Accepted Answer

Ambiguity can arise from complexity, but this option is too similar to insolubility. Routine can reduce ambiguity, so it is not a likely source. Relativity may contribute to ambiguity in certain contexts, but it is not as universal as novelty and insolubility. Therefore, A (complexity) and C (relativity) can be eliminated, leaving A as the best choice.

Question 19

If uncertainty or a lack of information makes someone uncomfortable, he or she is probably ________.

Accepted Answer

Intolerance of ambiguity refers to a person's discomfort with uncertainty and lack of information. They prefer clear and decisive answers and may experience anxiety or stress when faced with ambiguity.

Question 20

The theory of "natural" leaders suggest that leaders can be classified according to ________.

Accepted Answer

The theory of "natural" leaders suggests that leadership is innate and that certain personality traits make someone a better leader. Therefore, leaders can be classified based on their personality differences.

Quiz 2: Leading Strategically Through Effective Vision and Mission