CPM Leadership Development & Team Building 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A manager notices that a high-performing team member has plateaued in growth. What is the most effective leadership response?
- Assign the employee to a cross-functional stretch project (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the employee self-motivates
- Offer a salary increase to re-engage the employee
- Reduce the employee's workload to avoid burnout
Correct answer: Assign the employee to a cross-functional stretch project
Stretch assignments challenge employees beyond their current role, reigniting growth and engagement.
Question 2: Which team development stage, per Tuckman's model, is characterized by members challenging each other and the leader?
- Forming
- Storming (Correct answer)
- Norming
- Performing
Correct answer: Storming
The Storming stage involves interpersonal conflict and challenges to authority as team members assert themselves.
Question 3: A CPM candidate wants to build psychological safety on their team. Which action best achieves this?
- Avoid discussing failures to maintain morale
- Encourage team members to voice concerns without fear of punishment (Correct answer)
- Assign a team member to monitor and report interpersonal conflicts
- Limit team discussions to structured agendas only
Correct answer: Encourage team members to voice concerns without fear of punishment
Psychological safety requires an environment where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes.
Question 4: A new manager inherits a team with low trust and poor collaboration. What should be the first priority?
- Restructure team roles immediately
- Establish clear expectations and build personal relationships with each member (Correct answer)
- Implement new performance metrics to drive accountability
- Request HR to mediate existing conflicts
Correct answer: Establish clear expectations and build personal relationships with each member
Building trust starts with clarity and connection — understanding each person and setting mutual expectations.
Question 5: What does 'servant leadership' primarily emphasize?
- Authoritative decision-making to drive results
- Prioritizing the needs and growth of team members over personal power (Correct answer)
- Delegating all responsibilities to direct reports
- Leading by strict adherence to company policies
Correct answer: Prioritizing the needs and growth of team members over personal power
Servant leaders put their team's development and well-being first, enabling others to perform at their best.
Question 6: Which leadership style is most appropriate when managing a team of highly experienced subject matter experts?
- Autocratic
- Laissez-faire (Correct answer)
- Transactional
- Coercive
Correct answer: Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire leadership allows autonomous, skilled employees to self-direct, which suits expert teams well.
Question 7: A manager wants to develop future leaders within their team. Which approach is most aligned with CPM principles?
- Promote the top performer immediately
- Create formal mentoring programs and offer leadership exposure opportunities (Correct answer)
- Limit leadership opportunities to reduce internal competition
- Focus solely on current performance metrics
Correct answer: Create formal mentoring programs and offer leadership exposure opportunities
Developing future leaders requires intentional mentorship and opportunities to practice leadership skills over time.
CPM Leadership Development & Team Building 2
A manager notices that a high-performing team member has plateaued in growth.
What is the most effective leadership response?