CELC Organizational Systems and Culture 3

Question 1

A coach observes that an organization consistently rewards individual heroics over team collaboration despite publicly valuing teamwork. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Cultural dissonance between rewards and stated values

Answer

When reward systems reinforce behaviors contrary to stated values, cultural dissonance emerges, undermining trust and authenticity in leadership.

Question 2

Which organizational metaphor, used by Gareth Morgan, describes a company as a set of interlocking processes where changing one element affects all others?

Accepted Answer

Organization as organism

Answer

Morgan's organism metaphor captures the interdependence of organizational elements, where each part affects the whole and must adapt to its environment.

Question 3

During a culture audit, an executive coach discovers that leaders unknowingly model behaviors that contradict stated values. This phenomenon is best addressed through:

Accepted Answer

360-degree behavioral feedback linked to cultural values

Answer

360-degree feedback tied to cultural values creates a mirror for leaders, making unconscious behavior visible and creating accountability for change.

Question 4

What is the primary function of 'cultural carriers' in sustaining organizational culture during leadership transitions?

Accepted Answer

They preserve and transmit core cultural assumptions to new members

Answer

Cultural carriers—veteran employees, rituals, and symbols—maintain cultural continuity by transmitting underlying assumptions to new leaders and employees.

Question 5

An executive leadership coach notices that a client's organization has high engagement scores but declining innovation. Which systemic explanation is most plausible?

Accepted Answer

A conformity-rewarding culture suppresses divergent thinking despite high satisfaction

Answer

High engagement can coexist with low innovation when culture rewards consensus and punishes risk-taking, creating psychological safety without creative tension.

(CELC) Certified Executive Leadership Coach Practice Test

(CELC) Certified Executive Leadership Coach Practice Test

CELC Organizational Systems and Culture 3