Question 1

A very important team leadership skill is the ability to help a team choose the best decision method for the task at hand.

Accepted Answer

Different tasks may require different decision-making processes such as voting, consensus-building, or consultation with experts. A good team leader should be able to evaluate the situation and guide the team towards the most effective decision-making method for the task at hand.

Question 2

Groupthink can be avoided by having the leader strongly advocate a particular course of action.

Accepted Answer

Having the leader strongly advocate a particular course of action can actually contribute to groupthink by discouraging dissenting opinions and promoting conformity within the group. To avoid groupthink, it is important to encourage open and honest discussion, consider multiple perspectives, and actively seek out dissenting opinions.

Question 3

Decision by authority rule is being used when two or three people can dominate the majority or "railroad" the majority into agreeing to a solution.

Accepted Answer

Decision by authority rule typically involves a single person or a defined leadership group making a decision on behalf of the whole, without necessarily requiring consensus or majority agreement.

Question 4

Managers can avoid groupthink if they assign the role of critical evaluator to each team member to allow free discussion.

Accepted Answer

By assigning the role of critical evaluator to each team member, managers create an environment where free discussion is encouraged and dissenting opinions are heard, which can help prevent groupthink.

Question 5

Managers can gather data on team functioning by conducting structured or unstructured interviews,administering questionnaires,and having team meetings.

Accepted Answer

Managers can use various methods such as structured or unstructured interviews, questionnaires, and team meetings to gather data on team functioning.

Question 6

As one of the most important group processes,decision making is complicated by the different ways in which teams can go about doing it.

Accepted Answer

Decision making can be influenced by factors such as group size, composition, and communication processes, which can lead to variations in the way teams make decisions. Therefore, it can be considered a complicated group process.

Question 7

A tendency for highly cohesive groups to lose their evaluative capabilities is called groupthink.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to the tendency of highly cohesive groups to prioritize consensus and harmony over critical evaluation, often leading to poor decision-making and a lack of consideration for alternative perspectives or information.

Question 8

To be effective in deciding whether to use individual,consultative,or group decision methods for a particular situation,team leaders must know how to solve problems better than any of the team members.

Accepted Answer

While it is important for team leaders to have strong problem-solving skills, they do not necessarily need to be better at problem-solving than any of the team members in order to effectively decide which decision method to use. Effective decision-making also involves understanding the strengths and weaknesses of team members, considering the complexity of the problem, and evaluating the potential impact of the decision on team dynamics and outcomes.

Question 9

When formal voting or polling takes place,with the objective of determining which idea is favoured by more than half the team members,the team is making a decision by majority rule.

Accepted Answer

Majority rule is a decision-making method where the option with more than 50% of the votes is selected. This is accomplished through formal voting or polling, as mentioned in the statement.

Question 10

Group decision making improves members' understanding and acceptance of the final decision,and diminishes their commitment to follow through on implementing the decision.

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually reversed. Group decision making can increase members' commitment to follow through on implementing the decision, but it may also lead to compromise decisions that are not fully satisfactory to all members.

Question 11

Problem solving is the process of making choices among alternative courses of action.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Problem solving is the process of making...

Question 12

Decision by minority rule is being used when a leader,manager,or committee head makes a decision for the team.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Decision by minority rule is being used...

Question 13

Group decision making brings more information,knowledge,and expertise to bear on problems,and expands the number of alternatives that are considered.

Accepted Answer

Group decision making allows for the input and insights of multiple individuals, which can result in a wider range of perspectives and potential solutions. This often leads to more informed and well-rounded decisions.

Question 14

Decision by lack of response occurs when one idea after another is suggested without discussing them,and then the team finally accepts an idea without any critical evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Decision by lack of response occurs when ideas are accepted without any critical evaluation, after a series of suggestions without discussion.

Question 15

Groupthink can be avoided by creating sub-teams to work on the same problem and then sharing their proposed solutions,or by inviting outside experts to observe and react to group process and decisions.

Accepted Answer

Creating sub-teams and inviting outside experts are both strategies to avoid groupthink by promoting diverse perspectives and avoiding conformity within the group.

Question 16

Team building is sequence of planned activities used to gather and analyze data on the functioning of a team and to implement constructive changes to increase the team's operating effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the purpose of team building activities.

Question 17

Team building is a multi-step process that involves a clear and elevated goal,task driven structure,competent and committed members,a collaborative climate,high standards of excellence,external support and recognition,and strong principled leadership.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the components of an effective team building process.

Question 18

Teams will make decisions by consensus when they argue,engage in reasonable conflict,respect one another,and yet make a decision that does not require unanimity but can be supported by all team members.

Accepted Answer

Consensus decision-making involves respectful debate and conflict, but ultimately results in a decision that all team members can support, even if they do not all agree completely. It does not require unanimous agreement.

Question 19

Symptoms of groupthink include: rationalizing unpleasant and disconfirming data;stereotyping competitors as weak,evil,and/or stupid;protecting members from hearing disturbing ideas or outside viewpoints;and applying direct pressure to deviants to conform to group wishes.

Accepted Answer

These are all indeed common symptoms of groupthink.

Question 20

For the diagnostic process to be effective in team building,careful and collaborative assessment of the team's inputs,processes,and results must be made.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Collaborative assessment of the team's inputs, processes, and results is crucial for effective team building.

Quiz 15: Teams