Communicating and Influencing Others Flashcards
7 cards from real CSJT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communicating and Influencing Others flashcards as text
When writing a professional email, which practice most reduces the chance of miscommunication?
Answer: Stating the purpose clearly in the first sentence and using a specific subject line
A clear subject line and an upfront statement of purpose help the reader immediately understand what is needed.
A peer takes credit for work you contributed significantly to during a leadership presentation. What is the best immediate response?
Answer: Remain calm during the meeting and address the issue privately with the peer afterward
Addressing attribution issues privately first is professional and gives the colleague the opportunity to correct it before formal action is needed.
Which of the following behaviors undermines trust in professional communication?
Answer: Overpromising on deliverables and frequently missing commitments
Repeatedly overpromising and underdelivering erodes confidence in your reliability and judgment over time.
Your agency is rolling out a change that affects multiple departments. Which communication strategy is most effective?
Answer: Communicate through multiple channels, involve department liaisons, and create feedback opportunities
Multi-channel communication with feedback mechanisms ensures broader reach and allows concerns to surface before implementation.
During a difficult conversation with a direct report about performance, they become emotional and begin to cry. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Pause, offer a moment, express empathy, and ask if they would like to continue or reschedule
Pausing to acknowledge emotion and offering the person agency over how to proceed demonstrates empathy and professionalism.
You want to influence a colleague who tends to make decisions based on data. Which approach is most persuasive?
Answer: Present quantitative evidence and logical reasoning aligned with their analytical framework
Matching your persuasion style to the decision-making preferences of your audience makes your argument more compelling.
Which of the following is the hallmark of an effective communicator in the civil service?
Answer: Adapting message, tone, and channel to the needs of the audience and situation
Adaptability in communication — adjusting style, format, and content to fit the context — is the defining trait of an effective communicator.