Leadership and Organizational Behavior Flashcards
7 cards from real CPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Leadership and Organizational Behavior flashcards as text
A chief medical officer is experiencing role conflict because the board expects cost reduction while the medical staff expects expanded resources. The most constructive first step is to:
Answer: Clarify expectations with both groups and identify areas of overlap
Clarifying and surfacing areas of common ground is the foundational step in managing role conflict before seeking compromise.
Which organizational structure best supports rapid cross-functional decision-making in a large academic medical center?
Answer: Flat matrix structure with shared accountability
Matrix structures enable cross-functional collaboration and faster decisions by giving teams authority that cuts across traditional silos.
Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory applied to physician motivation suggests that salary and job security primarily:
Answer: Reduce dissatisfaction but do not motivate higher performance
Herzberg classified salary and working conditions as 'hygiene factors' that prevent dissatisfaction but cannot produce motivation on their own.
Which of the following describes 'span of control' in healthcare organizational design?
Answer: The number of direct reports a manager can effectively supervise
Span of control refers to how many subordinates report directly to one manager, affecting organizational structure and communication efficiency.
A physician leader notices that a high-performing surgeon consistently bypasses hospital protocols when they perceive them as inefficient. The best leadership response is to:
Answer: Engage the surgeon to understand their concerns and co-create process improvements
Engaging high performers collaboratively channels their expertise into constructive improvement rather than creating adversarial compliance issues.
In the context of organizational learning, a 'double-loop learning' event occurs when an organization:
Answer: Questions and revises the underlying assumptions driving its policies
Double-loop learning, per Argyris, involves challenging the governing norms and assumptions that caused a problem, not just fixing the immediate error.
A newly appointed CMO wants to build credibility with the medical staff quickly. Which approach is most effective according to leadership research?
Answer: Listen extensively, deliver on small visible commitments, and demonstrate clinical competence
Credibility is built through demonstrated listening, follow-through on commitments, and respect for clinical expertise before initiating large changes.