FREE CSJT Leadership and Influencing Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are leading a cross-departmental team on a high-profile policy initiative.
The team is composed of individuals with varied communication styles and departmental priorities.
During a crucial meeting, a debate becomes heated, and two senior members publicly disagree on the best approach, causing tension and stalling progress.
What is the most effective leadership action to take in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the different viewpoints, pause the debate, and propose a separate, facilitated session with the key individuals to find common ground before reconvening the full team.

Answer

Side with the individual whose argument you believe is stronger to make a quick decision and maintain momentum.

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Ask both individuals to email you their arguments after the meeting and announce that you will make the final decision alone.

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Let the debate continue, as open conflict is sometimes necessary for the best ideas to emerge.

Question 2

Which of the following statements BEST encapsulates the Civil Service behaviour of 'Communicating and Influencing'?

Accepted Answer

Communicating purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm, while respecting the opinions of others.

Answer

Delegating tasks clearly and monitoring team performance against set deadlines.

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Using evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice.

Answer

Focusing on continuous learning and development for oneself, others, and the organisation as a whole.

Question 3

A junior member of your team has been asked to present their work to senior stakeholders for the first time. They are highly capable but express significant anxiety about public speaking. As their leader, what is the most effective way to support them?

Accepted Answer

Offer to help them prepare, run a practice session to provide constructive feedback, and suggest you co-present the introduction to ease them in.

Answer

Tell them not to worry and that it will be fine, as expressing confidence in them is sufficient.

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Take over the presentation yourself to ensure it is delivered perfectly and to spare them the anxiety.

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Insist they must do it alone as it is a critical skill they need to develop through experience.

Question 4

You need to influence a senior manager in another department to secure resources for your project. The manager is known to be data-driven and skeptical of new initiatives. What is the most effective initial approach?

Accepted Answer

Arrange a formal meeting and present a comprehensive business case with clear data, evidence, and an analysis of risks and benefits.

Answer

Rely on your strong working relationship and have an informal chat to persuade them based on your shared goals.

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Go to your own director first and ask them to use their authority to secure the resources from the other department.

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Focus on the enthusiastic vision for the project, hoping your passion will be persuasive enough.

Question 5

As a leader, you are responsible for communicating a new, and potentially unpopular, organisational change to your team. To be effective and maintain trust, you should primarily aim to:

Accepted Answer

Explain the reasons and context for the change honestly, acknowledge potential challenges, and listen to the team's concerns.

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Present the change as a non-negotiable directive from senior management to deflect any potential negativity from yourself.

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Focus only on the positive aspects of the change to boost morale, avoiding the potential downsides.

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Implement the change immediately with minimal discussion to prevent the spread of rumours or resistance.

Question 6

Which of the following actions is LEAST aligned with the Civil Service behaviour of 'Leadership'?

Accepted Answer

Consistently taking on the most complex tasks yourself to ensure they are completed to the highest standard.

Answer

Publicly recognising and praising the achievements of team members to foster a positive environment.

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Creating and engaging others in delivering a shared vision for the team's work.

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Championing inclusion and considering the diverse needs and ideas of all team members.