SHRM-CP Competencies Questions 2023
1. A group has formed to organize the annual company picnic. Because one
member has experience planning a church fall festival, he volunteers to take the
helm. The other employees choose to follow him. Which kind of leadership does
this exemplify? - CORRECT ANSWER-A) Situational
B)Contingency
C) Emergent
D) Behavioral
1. Right Answer: C) Explanation: The emergent leadership theory proposes that
leaders can emerge from a group, deriving their power from the group's
agreement with this role. The other leadership theories refer to the ways team
leaders use their roles to produce results and engage, develop, and motivate
team members.
2. Which is a trait of an effective leader? - CORRECT ANSWER-A) Providing
detailed directions to subordinates
B) Allowing employees to manage themselves
C) Fulfilling promises and commitments
D) Terminating poor performers and promoting high performers
Right Answer: CExplanation: Leaders must model the values the organization
aspires to, which means being trustworthy and reliable. Effective leaders may not
allow all employees to direct themselves. They provide coaching rather than
terminating poor performers. They provide detailed directions to those who need
it.
3. A manager uses his skill with people to smooth over problems and to make his
employees feel secure in their positions. According to the Blake-Mouton theory,
what leadership style is the manager using? - CORRECT ANSWER-A)
Authoritarian manager
B) Country club manager
C) Impoverished manager
D) Team leader
Right Answer: B Explanation: Managers who exhibit low task, high people
(country club) leadership styles avoid using their authority because they fear that
,it will jeopardize their relationships. They try to create a supportive atmosphere
and trust that employees will respond positively. An authoritarian leader
emphasizes task, and an impoverished leader neglects both task and people. A
true team leader attends to needs related to both tasks and people.
4. Refer to the following scenario for the next 2 questions. The administrative
assistant to the vice president of operations confides in the HR manager that the
VP has been making inappropriate advances that have been getting
progressively more forward and aggressive. This has made the administrative
assistant uncomfortable, and now she wants to find a new position in the
organization. The administrative assistant and the HR manager are long-time
personal friends, and this information is shared with the HR manager outside of
the work environment, on personal time. While the HR manager informs the
administrative assistant that she should bring a formal complaint, the
administrative assistant is very clear that she is sharing this information as a
friend. She does not want to file a formal complaint out of fear of retaliation.
Instead, she asks the HR manager to help her find a new role so that she can
quietly leave h - CORRECT ANSWER-A) A. Confront the VP of operations
directly with the allegations and demand an explanation as to why he has
behaved inappropriately.
B) B. Respect the friendship with the administrative assistant, honor the request
for privacy on the issue, and not take any action in response to the complaint.
C) C. Have a follow-up discussion with the administrative assistant reassuring
her of protection against retaliation and urging her to formally complain of the
behavior.
D) D. Notify the VP of HR of the allegations so that a formal investigation can
begin of these allegations of harassment.
Right Answer: D Explanation: D is the best response. This is a very delicate
situation for an HR manager, who must fulfill a duty to the organization.
Respecting friendship and honoring other's requests are serious considerations.
However, if ignored, claims of harassment put the organization in a precarious
position, with potential liability. Given that the allegations are being made against
a senior management employee, it is important for the HR manager to escalate
this issue to a more senior HR leader to determine the best way to proceed.
Furthermore, since the HR manager has a long-standing personal friendship with
the employee making the harassment claim, it is probably best for another HR
person to step in for the investigation so as to fend off any perception of HR bias.
, A is incorrect. The VP of operations should not be confronted until a formal plan
of action is created. B is incorrect. Once the administrative assistant has shared
the allegations with the HR manager, even if in confidence and during personal
time, the HR manager has a duty to protect the employer from any liability. If the
HR manager does not act on the allegations of misconduct and harassment, she
is jeopardizing the organization. C is incorrect. Talking with the a
5. The VP of operations has been identified as one of the top two possibilities to
succeed the current CEO. The VP of HR receives a letter from the attorney of a
different employee that charges the VP of operations and the organization with
unlawful harassment. Which is the best first course of action the HR VP should
take? - CORRECT ANSWER-A) A. Notify the CEO and the organization's
attorney, asking to meet to determine appropriate next steps.
B) B. Initiate the investigation by gathering all the facts about the unlawful
harassment claim.
C) C. Independently speak to the VP of operations and ask if there is any merit to
the claim of unlawful harassment.
D) D. Terminate the VP of operations' employment immediately in order to
mitigate any further risks.
Right Answer: A Explanation: A is the best response. The VP of operations plays
a critical role in the organization and has been identified as a potential successor
to the CEO. Given that this is the second time sexual harassment allegations
have been made against him and that this time there's a threat of a lawsuit, it is
important to notify the CEO and corporate counsel. B is incorrect. It is important
to investigate the entire situation, with all allegations and claims considered
equally. C is incorrect. HR should not take any action independent of the
organization's CEO and attorney. D is incorrect. At this stage, firing the VP of
operations may be premature, as it is just an allegation with no actual evidence
and not even clarity on the facts. A sound and unbiased investigation must be
conducted to uncover the facts, and only then would the policy on disciplinary
action apply if deemed necessary.
According to the Hersey-Blanchard theory, which is generally the most suitable
situational leadership approach for entry-level employees? - CORRECT
ANSWER-A) Delegating
B) Selling
C) Telling
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