Leadership & Team Management Flashcards

Which decision-making model is MOST appropriate when a software manager needs a quick decision and team consensus is not feasible?

Answer: Autocratic decision-making

Autocratic decision-making is appropriate in time-critical situations where the manager has sufficient information and speed is prioritized over buy-in.

A software manager is preparing performance reviews. Which feedback model structures feedback as Situation-Behavior-Impact?

Answer: SBI Model

The SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model helps managers deliver specific, objective feedback by describing the context, the observed behavior, and its effect.

When managing a geographically distributed software team across multiple time zones, which practice is MOST critical for maintaining cohesion?

Answer: Establishing clear communication protocols and overlapping core hours

Clear protocols and defined overlapping hours ensure all distributed team members can collaborate effectively without requiring unreasonable schedule changes.

Which of the following BEST describes the role of a servant leader in a software organization?

Answer: A leader who removes obstacles and supports team members to help them succeed

Servant leadership, popularized by Robert Greenleaf, centers on the leader serving the team by clearing obstacles, providing resources, and enabling team success.

A software manager wants to delegate a task to a team member. Which factor is LEAST relevant when choosing who to delegate to?

Answer: The team member's physical office location

Physical location is largely irrelevant to delegation decisions in modern software teams; workload, skills, and developmental interest are the primary considerations.

In software team management, a 'RACI matrix' is used to:

Answer: Clarify roles and responsibilities for tasks and decisions

A RACI matrix identifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task, eliminating role ambiguity on software projects.

Which theory suggests that workers are motivated by higher-level needs such as self-actualization once basic needs are met?

Answer: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy proposes that motivation progresses from physiological and safety needs through social and esteem needs to self-actualization at the apex.