Team Work Situations Questions & Answers - Page 2

(A) is the MOST effective answer since it addresses both the key issues: investigating how to set more effective objectives ; whilst getting buy in to this week's targets from the start.

Answer option (C) does recognise the need for improved collaboration, although this is quite a weak solution. More importantly, it has to be the LEAST effective solution since it does not address the other key need to work more effectively (towards the set objectives).

Consider answer option (B) to be an in-between solution. Whilst the problematic objective settiong process is dealt with, removing it is an over-simplified, knee-jerk reaction.

Option (D) isn't the best or the worst option. Yes, a team meeting would be a good starting point for discussing the underlying performance and collaboration issues. However, your agenda is already assuming these are caused by a lack of effort.

(A) is the MOST effective solution because you are further enhancing your own understanding of the underlying issues causing lower team morale. This will foster more informed decisions going forward.

The LEAST effective solution is (B). There are clearly important business issues that need to be addressed. Any further delay does not help to resolve the current situation or even try to turnaround the falls in business performance.

Option (C) may or may not reveal useful information. Again, it's hit or miss nature means that the best answer is going to offer a more pragmatic solution.

Option (D)'s brainstorming idea is a traditional solution for generating new ideas. It doesn't address the underlying issues directly so a more pragmatic solution is required.

You are facing a conflict between your customer’s needs and your team’s needs, and are required to make a decision.

Answer choice A shows prioritisation before making your decision. You are aiming to multi-task and manage your time. In general, when you have conflicting goals, the responsible and organised approach is to take some time to prioritise and look for a solution that will balance your goals as much as possible.

In answer choice B, you choose the urgent task. However, because it’s urgent doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more important.

Answer choice C is the opposite – you turn down your colleague’s request. Answer choices B and C are reasonable responses; however, they both involve giving up on either your customer’s needs or your team’s needs, without considering your priorities and options.

Asking your manager (answer choice D) shows consideration for the importance of both tasks. You choose to ask your manager, who has a better understanding of the bigger picture and overall goals of the team. This is a reasonable response. Between A and D, A is a better answer to this question as you take time to consider, and show responsibility by making your customer your top priority.

Option D is the best response as here you are looking for the source of Roger’s problem in order to achieve results. You are demonstrating effective communication skills by asking Roger exactly what it is he finds difficult. You are also demonstrating adaptability by trying to change your approach to address the problem. You are being a team player by being supportive and offering to answer any queries to advance your colleague's understanding.

A. This response shows a lack of sensitivity towards your colleague and a poor understanding of social situations—an indication of poor social intelligence. This response is offensive. Not only are you pointing out his lack of success, but you are also belittling him by comparing his failure to other's success. This negative response could prevent him from effectively learning how to operate the system. Furthermore, you are demonstrating poor teamwork and communication skills, as you are not trying to establish a positive relationship with Roger. Finally, it is your responsibility to teach Roger, and blaming him for not understanding means you are not taking any responsibility for this learning process. This is a very poor response.

B. Letting a different employee with more experience than you teach Roger could be more effective. However, your supervisor gave you this task and it is not for you to delegate it to someone else. Furthermore, the problem here may not be dependent on level of experience, but rather the teaching approach used. By letting Anna teach Roger, you are not demonstrating adaptability in your teaching method. You are also admitting that you either lack the communication skills required to teach Roger, or that you lack the persistence of continuing to try despite experiencing conflict.

C. This is a poor response. You are giving up on the task you have been given. You demonstrate a lack of responsibility for completing the task, which, in turn, indicates a lack of conscientiousness. You are not looking for an alternative way of teaching Roger (as in choice B), suggesting your own lack of adaptability.

Response (B) employs the practice of admitting mistakes and sharing responsibility. Although Bryan played a larger role in committing the mistake while gathering the data, by sharing the responsibility for the mistake, you are showing that you are a team player (teamwork). By telling the supervisor that both of you have made an error you are showing that you are responsible and have the integrity of admitting your mistakes – thus allowing your supervisor to take the possibility of being late for the deadline into account. By working together to amend the mistake – your team has the potential of solving the task effectively by the deadline.

This question tests for the ability to share responsibility in a team and the ability to admit mistakes while having the willingness to correct them. The trick for solving the question is to choose the response that employs both integrity and teamwork- while solving the problem effectively.

Response (A) may seem like the correct response as Bryan is certainly responsible for the problem. However, by dropping all the blame on Bryan and not offering to work together on solving the problem- you show that you are unwilling to share the responsibility- thus showing low teamwork competency. Also, by criticizing Bryan behind his back you might cause unnecessary damage to his relationship with the supervisor- as he should be given a chance to explain himself.

Response (C) lacks responsibility and problem-solving. Handing the supervisor notes is only a partial solution if the supervisor hasn't agreed to this solution- and is not prepared in advance for this solution. The quality of your work here is diminished – so you are also showing a lack of thoroughness and attention to detail.

It is difficult not to choose response (D), as willing to work together with Bryan in order to solve the problem on time shows a high level of teamwork. Since the intention communicated in this answer-choice is to “not bother” the supervisor- choosing this question reveals a low level of being responsible and a problem with working under supervision- as you are not allowing your supervisor access to valuable information which could affect his decision-making regarding the presentation and the deadline.