CH10 3080

Which is a method for articulating a vision of positive change?

Focus on positive deviance

Which question would facilitate articulating the left-brained side of a vision statement?

What are the most important strengths of our organization?

Which question would facilitate articulating the right-brained side of a vision statement?

What represents peak performance?

Which most closely resembles the pace of change that generally occurs in organizations today?

White water rapids

Which is the most accurate summary of the differentiation some writers have given between leadership and management?

) Management is about controlling variance and leadership is about initiating change.

An experiment conducted by Nobel laureate Herbert A. Simon found that novice chess players remember differently than experienced players what a chess game looked like midgame. Which statement is an accurate application to management of the results of this experiment?

A depth of experience can help managers recognize patterns and exceptions to patterns.

Which statement best describes the difference between a vision of abundance and a vision of goal achievement or effectiveness?

A vision of abundance speaks to the heart and the head. Visions of goal achievement speak to the head

Which of these components of a vision statement would emphasize left-brained thinking?

Action plans

As a manager, you are trying to hire someone for a critical position in your department. You have called references on three applicants. Bob's reference, his former supervisor, said, "Bob has more information and communication flowing through him than anyone in our company." Joe's reference said, "Joe can get others to get things done better than anyone I know." Albert's boss said, "Albert is the greatest person to be around. He is so optimistic and giving." Based on the information in the text about creating positive change, who should you hire?

Albert

Creating commitment is enhanced by (1) applying principles of recreational work, (2) providing opportunities for public statements of commitment, (3) instituting feedback, (4) and communicating the vision frequently, consistently and broadly. Which statements are correct?

All the statements are correct.

Which component of a vision statement is used less often by managers?

Articulating the vision of the future

Which would make employees in an organization the most comfortable?

Being reliable

Which is a method for establishing a climate of positivity?

Build on strengths and best self

According to the text, what should metrics for institutionalizing change be?

Clear

Which is a method for generating commitment to positive change?

Communicate the vision frequently

Your manager has just finished a presentation demonstrating the need for change. He summarizes his presentation by stating, "That is how we are doing compared to our best competitors." What kind of best practice standard is this manager trying to set?

Comparative standard

Your manager has just been told that the organization failed to meet its monthly goal. He responds, "We were just miscued and then stumbled a little. Next month will be entirely different." What characteristic of leading positive change does this manager exemplify?

Creating a new language

As a manager, Susan is trying to establish a climate of positivity. She has hired two people who leave every interaction happier, more energized, and uplifted. They simply make others feel good. In addition, Susan made assignments based on the strengths of her team members and based on what they do best. And most importantly, she has been firm on the team members when they make mistakes. If a mistake is made, the offending team member is replaced. Which principle of establishing a climate of positivity has Susan violated?

Establish a climate of compassion and gratitude

At the end of the year, Bob was evaluated based on whether he met the goal. Then, he set a future goal concerning the total sales he could reach in the new coming year. At the end of that year, Bob was evaluated based on whether he met the goal, regardless of whether the goal was higher or lower than the previous years' goal. Applying principles of recreation work, how can Bob's performance evaluation be improved?

Evaluate Bob compared to past performance

Which statement is true concerning institutionalizing positive change?

Every manager's goal should be to help as many people learn to lead positive change as possible.

Which would make employees in an organization the most comfortable?

Experiencing compatible relationships

Which is an accurate statement concerning the effects of gratitude on individual and organizational performance?

Gratitude has dramatic positive effects on both individual and organizational performance.

Your manager has just finished a presentation demonstrating the need for change. The whole focus of his presentation was to show how the organization was doing in completely eliminating wasted materials. What kind of best practice standard is this manager trying to set?

Ideal standard

What is the most likely outcome of the best-self feedback process?

Individuals will focus more on the positive while still paying attention to the negative.

Which information within a vision statement would most likely be interesting?

Information that contradicts weakly held assumptions

Which is a method for creating readiness for positive change?

Institute symbolic events

George has been busy deciding if his company should provide customer service. He is not sure if it is the right thing to do. What role is George playing?

Leader

The Xerox plan produced stunning results and firmly institutionalized the vision. What was the order of events in the Xerox plan?

Learn the vision, teach it, apply it, assess it

Bob has been busy trying to improve a customer service process. He is trying to help people do it right. What role is Bob playing?

Manager

During lunch break some employees are discussing certain managers in the organization. One employee says, "It is great to have Arnold as our department manager. He was born a leader. We are always doing things right in our department and primarily because Arnold is always watching to make sure we do it right. Without him, we would have lots of defects and errors." Based on the material about leading positive change in chapter 10, does Arnold sound like someone who leads positive change?

No, he most likely manages stability.

John asks his employees to view other workers as "co-workers," but not as "friends." His theory is that finding friends at work leads to socializing and decreased productivity. He encourages employees to find friends outside of work. Are positive energy networks likely among John's employees?

No, he won't foster positive energy in people.

The word failure is typically absent in the language of successful leaders. What is an alternative descriptor successful leaders might use?

Nonsuccess

Forgiveness is enhanced in organizations when managers (1) associate the outcomes of the organization (e.g., its products and services) with a higher purpose that provides personal meaning for organization members, and (2) maintain flexible standards and communicate the fact that forgiveness is synonymous with tolerance for error. Which statements are correct?

Only statement 1

To institutionalize change, managers should (1) turn students into teachers, (2) build financial capital, and (3) establish rules, guidelines and feedback mechanisms. Which statements are correct?

Only statement 1

Jane pays you a compliment and tells you that you look nice today. George asks if you got your hair styled because it looks good. Pam asks if you had a sleepless night because you look tired or sick. Which comment will be longer lasting in its effects upon you? The comment from

Pam.

Which statement is true concerning a vision statement?

People must associate the vision with something they can see and hear.

A manager in an organization has four team members on the team she manages. Jill is her strongest performer on the team and Allen, Suzette, and Bill are the weakest performers on the team. To improve productivity, the manager spends most of her time with Jill. What is the most likely outcome of this management decision?

Productivity will double.

Which will best help the organization to institutionalize the vision?

Provide an opportunity for everyone in the organization to articulate the vision

How does the best-self feedback process produce improvement in individual performance?

Provides individuals the opportunity to receive feedback about their strengths and unique capabilities

What should metrics for establishing positive change be about?

Results

Four employees received feedback from their managers. Jose was told what he did wrong and was given a warning. Jolette was told that she has been too shy in team meetings and is not speaking enough. Richard was told that his unique skill of analysis has been very valuable to the team. Gloria was told about some errors she made on the reports the team produced. Who will most likely feel highly engaged and be more productive?

Richard

Benchmarking involves (1) identifying best practice, (2) studying it in detail and then (3) planning to copy the best practice. Which statements are correct?

Statements 1 and 2

Forgiveness is enhanced in organizations when managers (1) Acknowledge the trauma, harm, and injustice that their organization members have experienced, but they define the occurrence of hurtful events as an opportunity to move forward toward a new goal. (2) Associate the outcomes of the organization (e.g., its products and services) with a higher purpose that provides personal meaning for organization members. (3) Maintain high standards and communicate the fact that forgiveness is synonymous with tolerance for error or lowered expectations. Which statements are correct?

Statements 1 and 2

Three specific hints for articulating vision are (1) Ensure that vision statements reinforce key values about which you feel strongly. (2) The vision statement must be straightforward and simple. (3) Must have straightforward, simple language. Which statements are correct?

Statements 1 and 2

Small wins create commitment because (1) they enlarge the importance of any one change, (2) they help avoid resistance or retaliation, and (3) they create the image of progress. Which statements are correct?

Statements 2 and 3

To ensure credibility, vision statements should (1) challenge core values, (2) be straightforward and simple, and (3) contain exciting and energizing language. Which statements are correct?

Statements 2 and 3

Leaders who use symbols effectively will use them for what?

To signal the end of the old way of doing things and the beginning of a new way of doing things

Which is a method for institutionalizing the vision of positive change?

Turn students into teachers

If constant change were occurring in the workplace, which would most likely help managers provide stability or order?

Unchanging theories or frameworks

A manager is under pressure to determine how to get a group of employees from a certain department to support the change effort. These employees are adamantly opposed to the change effort. To help this opposing group change their minds, the manager assigns the group to discuss the change effort with outside interest groups. Is this assignment likely to help this group of employees develop commitment?

Yes, opportunities to make public statements will foster commitment.

What is the meaning of "small wins"? Small wins are

changes that are easy to implement and build momentum.