Supervisory Test Supervisory Communication and Feedback 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A supervisor needs to deliver critical feedback to an employee about repeated tardiness. Which approach is most effective?
- Send an anonymous written warning
- Address it privately with specific examples and a clear improvement plan (Correct answer)
- Mention it casually during a team meeting
- Wait until the annual review to document it
Correct answer: Address it privately with specific examples and a clear improvement plan
Private, specific feedback with an improvement plan gives the employee a clear path to change without public embarrassment.
Question 2: Which communication style is most appropriate when a supervisor must relay an urgent policy change to the team?
- Passive — post a memo and hope everyone reads it
- Assertive — clearly state the change, rationale, and expectations (Correct answer)
- Aggressive — demand immediate compliance without explanation
- Indirect — hint at the change and let employees figure it out
Correct answer: Assertive — clearly state the change, rationale, and expectations
Assertive communication ensures clarity, respects employees, and sets clear expectations during urgent changes.
Question 3: An employee responds defensively when given feedback. What should the supervisor do first?
- Raise their voice to re-establish authority
- Acknowledge the employee's feelings and allow them to respond (Correct answer)
- End the conversation immediately
- File a disciplinary report
Correct answer: Acknowledge the employee's feelings and allow them to respond
Acknowledging feelings de-escalates defensiveness and keeps the feedback conversation productive.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of active listening during a supervisory one-on-one meeting?
- To fill silence with questions
- To ensure the supervisor's agenda is covered first
- To fully understand the employee's concerns before responding (Correct answer)
- To evaluate whether the employee is telling the truth
Correct answer: To fully understand the employee's concerns before responding
Active listening helps supervisors understand employee perspectives fully before forming a response.
Question 5: A supervisor asks a team member: 'Can you tell me more about what led to the project delay?' This is an example of:
- A leading question
- A closed question
- An open-ended question (Correct answer)
- A rhetorical question
Correct answer: An open-ended question
Open-ended questions invite detailed responses and encourage employees to share their perspective.
Question 6: Which feedback model structures feedback as Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI)?
- Sandwich feedback
- 360-degree feedback
- SBI feedback model (Correct answer)
- Competency-based feedback
Correct answer: SBI feedback model
The SBI model focuses feedback on observable behavior and its impact, making it specific and objective.
Supervisory Test Supervisory Communication and Feedback 1
A supervisor needs to deliver critical feedback to an employee about repeated tardiness.
Which approach is most effective?