Question 1

The information technology (IT) department is not affected by any of the layof fs. One employee was recently terminated for poor performance. Despite management assuring the IT staff that the department is not participating in the layof fs, rumors circulate that the terminated employee was laid of f and that there might be more terminations coming. One employee questions the IT manager about the reason for their coworker's termination. How should the manager respond?
  • Question 2

    The new organizational strategy affects all employees, and the executive team is discussing ways to communicate it to the store and warehouse personnel. They decide to hold staff meetings with each workgroup. What can they do to ensure that the meetings are successful?
  • Question 3

    What is the MOST significant reason why a company would want to invest in leadership development and succession planning?
  • Question 4

    A multinational manufacturing firm recently experienced a series of product line defects and supply chain shortages. At the request of the chief operating officer (COO), the firm hires a new VP of operations who worked for the COO at another company for many years. The VP is well known for achieving results quickly and efficiently. During a conference call with the COO and all operations managers, the new VP begins making angry remarks toward the managers because the VP believes they are not responding quickly to questions about the recent problems. When the managers speak the VP responds by criticizing them and speaking with a loud aggressive tone of voice. The COO advises the VP to focus on identifying the root cause of the problem rather than criticizing the managers. In response, the VP accuses the COO of being too lenient on the managers during a period of crisis that requires quick and deliberate action. After the meeting, the managers send a formal letter to the firm's regional HR director describing the VP's behavior and requesting an immediate response.
    The regional HR director discovers that the VP's onboarding process was shortened because the firm needed the VP to oversee multiple high-visibility initiatives. What should the regional HR director do to ensure the VP understands the business impact of the company's leadership and culture standards?
  • Question 5

    A multinational manufacturing firm recently experienced a series of product line defects and supply chain shortages. At the request of the chief operating officer (COO), the firm hires a new VP of operations who worked for the COO at another company for many years. The VP is well known for achieving results quickly and efficiently. During a conference call with the COO and all operations managers, the new VP begins making angry remarks toward the managers because the VP believes they are not responding quickly to questions about the recent problems. When the managers speak the VP responds by criticizing them and speaking with a loud aggressive tone of voice. The COO advises the VP to focus on identifying the root cause of the problem rather than criticizing the managers. In response, the VP accuses the COO of being too lenient on the managers during a period of crisis that requires quick and deliberate action. After the meeting, the managers send a formal letter to the firm's regional HR director describing the VP's behavior and requesting an immediate response.
    The firm's employee handbook includes a section on cultural values that denounces public criticism of others and endorses acceptance of diversity at all levels of the organization. What should the regional HR director do to uphold the firm's cultural values?