CBS Communication & Interpersonal Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A strategist observes that emails to overseas partners often cause misunderstandings. Which factor is most likely the root cause?
- Differences in email software platforms
- High-context versus low-context cultural communication styles (Correct answer)
- Time zone scheduling conflicts
- Variations in internet connection speed
Correct answer: High-context versus low-context cultural communication styles
High-context cultures rely on implicit meaning and relationships, while low-context cultures expect explicit, direct communication, creating frequent misinterpretation.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the Johari Window model in an organizational context?
- To measure employee performance against KPIs
- To map competitive positioning in the market
- To improve self-awareness and mutual understanding between team members (Correct answer)
- To structure formal performance appraisal conversations
Correct answer: To improve self-awareness and mutual understanding between team members
The Johari Window helps individuals and teams expand mutual understanding by exploring known, unknown, hidden, and blind areas of self-disclosure.
Question 3: During a strategy presentation, an audience member asks a question the strategist cannot immediately answer. What is the best response?
- Provide a vague answer to avoid appearing unprepared
- Acknowledge the question, commit to following up, and move on (Correct answer)
- Redirect the question back to the questioner
- Skip the question and continue the presentation
Correct answer: Acknowledge the question, commit to following up, and move on
Honestly acknowledging uncertainty while committing to follow up preserves credibility and demonstrates integrity.
Question 4: Which listening technique involves restating a speaker's message in your own words to confirm understanding?
- Evaluative listening
- Paraphrasing (Correct answer)
- Selective listening
- Empathic mirroring
Correct answer: Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing demonstrates active engagement and allows the speaker to confirm or correct the listener's interpretation of their message.
Question 5: A strategic team is experiencing groupthink. Which interpersonal communication intervention is most effective at breaking this pattern?
- Assign a devil's advocate role to challenge group consensus (Correct answer)
- Increase the frequency of team meetings
- Enforce stricter meeting agendas to improve efficiency
- Replace dissenting team members to restore cohesion
Correct answer: Assign a devil's advocate role to challenge group consensus
Assigning a devil's advocate introduces structured dissent, forcing the group to critically evaluate assumptions and reducing conformity pressure.
Question 6: In the context of strategic communication, what does 'message framing' primarily refer to?
- The physical design of presentation slides
- The way information is presented to influence audience perception and decision-making (Correct answer)
- The legal disclaimers included in corporate communications
- The scheduling of communication across multiple channels
Correct answer: The way information is presented to influence audience perception and decision-making
Framing shapes how an audience interprets information by emphasizing certain aspects, which influences attitudes and decisions without altering the underlying facts.
Question 7: A strategist is building rapport with a new C-suite client. Which behavior most effectively establishes trust early in the relationship?
- Immediately presenting a detailed strategy proposal to demonstrate value
- Listening attentively, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in their priorities (Correct answer)
- Referencing a list of past high-profile clients
- Offering discounts on consulting fees to demonstrate flexibility
Correct answer: Listening attentively, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in their priorities
Trust is built early through demonstrated curiosity and attentive listening, which signals that the strategist prioritizes the client's needs over quick selling.
CBS Communication & Interpersonal Skills 3
A strategist observes that emails to overseas partners often cause misunderstandings.
Which factor is most likely the root cause?