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Leading People Flashcards

7 cards from real CPM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Leading People flashcards as text

  1. A public manager notices that a high-performing employee has become disengaged after being passed over for promotion. Which leadership approach is MOST appropriate?

    Answer: Schedule a one-on-one meeting to understand the employee's perspective and career goals

    Engaging in a direct, empathetic conversation allows the manager to understand root causes and collaboratively develop a path forward.

  2. Which leadership theory emphasizes adapting one's style based on the readiness and competence level of followers?

    Answer: Situational leadership

    Situational leadership, developed by Hersey and Blanchard, prescribes matching leadership style to the development level of each follower.

  3. A team in a public agency is resistant to a new state-mandated policy. The BEST first step for the manager is to:

    Answer: Explain the rationale behind the policy and invite questions

    Transparent communication about the 'why' behind change reduces resistance and builds trust in the leadership process.

  4. In the context of public sector leadership, psychological safety in a team MOST directly refers to:

    Answer: Employees feeling safe to speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment

    Psychological safety, as defined by Amy Edmondson, is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.

  5. A manager who uses rewards and penalties to motivate employees is BEST described as using which leadership style?

    Answer: Transactional

    Transactional leadership relies on contingent reward and management-by-exception to drive performance.

  6. Which of the following BEST describes the role of a public manager practicing servant leadership?

    Answer: Placing the needs of employees and the community ahead of personal power

    Servant leadership, articulated by Robert Greenleaf, centers on serving others first to build empowered, capable teams.

  7. A CPM candidate is leading a cross-functional team with members from different departments. The MOST effective approach to build cohesion is to:

    Answer: Establish a shared mission, clear roles, and agreed-upon team norms

    Shared purpose and defined roles reduce ambiguity and align diverse team members toward common objectives.