Caliper Assessment Leadership and Influence Competencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A project manager is leading a cross-functional team where two key members from different departments have a public disagreement over the project's strategic direction.
The conflict is creating tension and hindering progress.
Which of the following actions best demonstrates effective Conflict Management?

Accepted Answer

Meet with the individuals separately to understand each perspective, then facilitate a joint discussion focused on project goals and objective solutions.

Answer

Ignore the disagreement, assuming that professional employees will resolve it on their own time.

Answer

Side with the individual whose argument aligns more closely with the initial project charter to shut down the debate quickly.

Answer

Announce in the next team meeting that disagreements must be handled privately and will not be tolerated in a group setting.

Question 2

A manager needs to implement a new, company-wide software system that will fundamentally change how their team handles daily tasks. The team is comfortable with the old system and is showing significant resistance. Which approach best exemplifies the 'Leading Change' competency?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the team's concerns, clearly articulate the vision and benefits of the change, and involve them in the transition planning.

Answer

Focus exclusively on the technical training, ensuring everyone knows which buttons to press.

Answer

Mandate the change and state that failure to adopt the new system will be reflected in performance reviews.

Answer

Downplay the significance of the change to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety among the employees.

Question 3

A department head wants to persuade the executive committee to invest in an innovative but unproven technology that she believes will provide a significant competitive advantage. The committee is known to be risk-averse. What is the most effective strategy for demonstrating 'Influence and Persuasion'?

Accepted Answer

Present a comprehensive business case with data, a pilot project proposal to demonstrate value on a small scale, and testimonials from early adopters in other industries.

Answer

Insist that not investing will cause the company to fail, using fear as a primary motivator.

Answer

Rely solely on her reputation and passion for the project during the presentation.

Answer

Schedule one-on-one meetings with each committee member to lobby for their individual support before the main meeting.

Question 4

A marketing director has a highly capable team but tends to get bogged down in operational details, personally reviewing every minor piece of ad copy and design. This is causing bottlenecks and frustrating her team. To develop her 'Delegating' competency, what should be her first step?

Accepted Answer

Identify a low-risk project, clearly define the desired outcomes and standards, and empower a team member to manage it, scheduling regular but high-level check-ins.

Answer

Assign all tasks to the team and only check the final results at the end of a project.

Answer

Continue to review all work but provide faster feedback.

Answer

Hire an assistant to handle the reviews on her behalf.

Question 5

A new team has been formed with members from different organizational silos to work on a long-term strategic project. The initial meetings are formal, and there is little spontaneous collaboration. Which of the following actions best reflects the 'Team Building' competency?

Accepted Answer

Establish a clear team charter, define shared goals, and facilitate a workshop where members agree on communication norms and decision-making processes.

Answer

Wait for the team members to get comfortable with each other on their own.

Answer

Organize a one-time social outing like a happy hour and expect that to be sufficient for bonding.

Answer

Assign all tasks individually so each member can demonstrate their personal competence.

Question 6

After a challenging quarter where the team missed its targets, a manager needs to communicate the results and the plan for the next quarter. Morale is low. Which 'Leadership Communication' approach is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Be transparent about the poor results, take accountability for the team's performance, and engage the team in a discussion to brainstorm solutions for the next quarter.

Answer

Focus only on the few small wins from the quarter to try and keep the mood positive.

Answer

Present a new, aggressive top-down plan and demand commitment to it without discussing the past quarter's results.

Answer

Send an email with the results to avoid a difficult face-to-face conversation.