Question 1

Constructive feedback is used only to soften negative messages.

Accepted Answer

Constructive feedback can include both positive and negative feedback, and its main purpose is to help the receiver improve their performance. While it may be delivered in a positive and supportive manner, it is not necessarily only used to soften negative messages.

Question 2

Most people do a reasonably good job of talking informally and do not need to work on improving their conversational abilities.

Accepted Answer

Many people can benefit from improving their conversational skills, as effective communication involves active listening, empathy, and clarity, which are not always naturally present in informal conversations.

Question 3

If you have to engage in a difficult conversation, you should be subjective in how you interpret and use the facts.

Accepted Answer

You should aim to be as objective as possible when having a difficult conversation. This means sticking to the facts and avoiding personal biases or subjective interpretations. Being objective can help to reduce conflicts and misunderstandings during the conversation.

Question 4

The competitive strategy of conflict management is frequently referred to as the "win-win" strategy because everyone works toward a resolution that meets everyone's needs.

Accepted Answer

The competitive strategy of conflict management is often referred to as a "win-lose" strategy, where one party aims to win at the expense of the other, rather than meeting everyone's needs.

Question 5

When engaging in negotiation, it is important to understand that the audience is judging everything about you, and if you fall short in some area, you may lose your credibility.

Accepted Answer

When engaging in negotiation, it is crucial to understand that your audience is evaluating you and your performance throughout the negotiation. Any perceived shortcomings in your skills, knowledge, or behavior can result in the loss of your credibility, which can undermine your ability to secure a favorable deal or outcome. Consequently, negotiators must be mindful of the way they present themselves, communicate their arguments, and respond to feedback and questions during the process to ensure that they maintain a positive impression and build trust with their counterparts.

Question 6

Putting the person you called on hold while you wait for an executive to be free to talk is not courteous.

Accepted Answer

Putting someone on hold without explaining why or how long they will have to wait is perceived as rude and disrespectful. It is always better to explain the situation and ask if the person is willing to hold or if there is a better time to call back.

Question 7

After listening to formal oral communication, such as a speech, we quickly forget most of the message.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people tend to only retain about 10-20% of the content presented in a speech or formal oral communication.

Question 8

Unless you have an emergency, your conversation is never so important that you should interrupt another conversation.

Accepted Answer

Interrupting another conversation is generally considered rude and disrespectful. Unless there is an urgent need to speak with someone, it is best to wait until the person has finished their current conversation before trying to engage with them.

Question 9

One of the disadvantages of recording the minutes of a meeting is that it does not make a note of the absentees.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the disadvantages of recording the...

Question 10

Which of the following statements about organizational culture is true?
A) Organizational culture guides what you can do, but not what you write or say.
B) Written and oral communication play a critical role in creating organizational culture.
C) If you are chosen to fill a position, that means you fit in with the organization's culture.
D) Organizational culture is the same from company to company.
E) Written communication reinforces organizational culture, but oral communication changes organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

Written and oral communication both play a critical role in creating organizational culture. Written communication, such as company policies and procedures, can help establish and reinforce the norms and values of the culture. Oral communication, including conversations, meetings, and presentations, also influences culture by determining what information is shared and how it is shared.

Question 11

Written and oral communication play a very important role in both reinforcing and changing an organization's culture.

Accepted Answer

Communication serves as a way to share and reinforce an organization's values, beliefs, and norms. It also allows for the exchange of ideas and perspectives which can lead to the evolution and change of an organization's culture. Therefore, written and oral communication is crucial in both reinforcing and changing an organization's culture.

Question 12

When leaving a voicemail message, it is a good idea to skip the message overview and leave only a phone number where the call can be returned.

Accepted Answer

It is important to provide a brief overview of the reason for the call in a voicemail message, along with a clear phone number for the caller to return the call. This helps the recipient of the message understand the urgency or importance of the call and how to prepare for the conversation when they return the call.

Question 13

By emphasizing the words do not in a sentence to convey how serious you are, you are using paralanguage.

Accepted Answer

Paralanguage refers to the use of nonverbal cues, such as tone of voice, to convey meaning in addition to the words themselves. By emphasizing the words "do not," the speaker is using tone to communicate the seriousness of their message.

Question 14

The four common types of nonverbal communication are body language, facial expression, verbal fillers, and paralanguage.

Accepted Answer

Verbal fillers are not a type of nonverbal communication; they are part of verbal communication. The four common types of nonverbal communication include body language, facial expressions, gestures, and paralanguage.

Question 15

In face-to-face communication, a larger part of the message is sent through nonverbal communication than through verbal communication.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that nonverbal communication, which includes body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, accounts for about 55% of the message conveyed in face-to-face communication, while only 7% is conveyed through the actual words spoken.

Question 16

Meetings of such groups as formal committees, boards of directors, and professional organizations usually follow generally accepted rules of conduct called parliamentary procedure.

Accepted Answer

Meetings of formal committees, boards of directors, and professional organizations do typically follow parliamentary procedure rules.

Question 17

When engaging in small talk, some good topics to discuss include sports, politics, current events, movies, and the cost of things.

Accepted Answer

Actually, it is better to avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics unless you are certain that the other person is comfortable with it. Instead, it is recommended to talk about neutral topics such as hobbies, travel, or the weather. Avoiding controversial or personal topics can help to create a more enjoyable and lighthearted conversation.

Question 18

It is preferable if only a few people do most of the talking during a meeting because this ensures that similar problems are dealt with in a similar manner.

Accepted Answer

Having only a few people dominate a meeting can lead to a lack of diverse perspectives and may not address all potential issues effectively. It is generally better to encourage participation from all relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive problem-solving.

Question 19

People who prioritize relationships and others' feelings over their own wishes typically choose to use the conflict avoidance strategy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who prioritize relationships and others' feelings...

Question 20

According to the ten commandments of listening, by frequently asking questions, you interfere with the talker's ability to develop his or her message.

Accepted Answer

According to the ten commandments of listening, asking relevant questions can actually enhance the talker's ability to develop their message by showing interest and encouraging them to provide more details. However, it is important to avoid interrupting or derailing the conversation with irrelevant questions.

Quiz 14: Putting Interpersonal Communication Skills to Work in Conversations and Meetings