Module 4: Leadership and influencing skills
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In this post, I provide complete, accurate, and detailed explanations for the answers to Module 4: Leadership and influencing skills of Course 4: Project Execution: Running the Project – Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.
Whether you’re preparing for quizzes or brushing up on your knowledge, these insights will help you master the concepts effectively. Let’s dive into the correct answers and detailed explanations for each question!
Test your knowledge: Effective teams
Practice Assignment
1. Which five factors have the greatest impact on team effectiveness?
- Psychological safety, methodology, structure and clarity, mastery, and impact
- Dependability, structure and clarity, understanding, meaning, and impact
- Dependability, methodology, structure and clarity, mastery, and impact
- Psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact
Explanation:
Research on team effectiveness, such as Google’s Project Aristotle, highlights five key factors:
- Psychological safety: Team members feel safe taking risks and expressing ideas.
- Dependability: Team members reliably complete work on time.
- Structure and clarity: Team roles, goals, and execution plans are clearly defined.
- Meaning: Team members find personal significance in their work.
- Impact: Team members believe their work makes a difference.
2. Which three of the following statements are generally true of teams that feel a sense of psychological safety?
- Team members are comfortable resolving interpersonal conflict.
- Team members know they can seek different opinions.
- Team members don’t require frequent communication with the project manager.
- Team members feel comfortable taking risks.
Explanation:
Psychological safety fosters an environment where team members:
- Feel safe to address conflicts constructively.
- Seek and respect diverse opinions.
- Take risks without fear of negative repercussions.
Frequent communication with a project manager isn’t a defining trait of psychological safety.
3. Which key factor of team effectiveness involves setting, negotiating, and meeting expectations?
- Impact
- Meaning
- Psychological safety
- Dependability
Explanation:
Dependability ensures team members meet their commitments, deliver work on time, and maintain trust by adhering to expectations.
4. Which key factor of an effective team provides a clear sense of roles, plans, goals, and how individual work affects the group?
- Structure and clarity
- Psychological safety
- Meaning
- Impact
Explanation:
Structure and clarity are essential for defining:
- Roles and responsibilities.
- Clear goals and plans for execution.
- How individual contributions align with the team’s overall objectives.
5. In what way does a team’s sense of meaning impact their effectiveness?
- Teams understand expectations and consequences.
- Teams feel safe taking risks.
- Teams complete their work on time.
- Teams find a sense of purpose in their work or its results.
Explanation:
When teams find meaning in their work, they are motivated by a sense of purpose. This sense of meaning often leads to higher satisfaction and engagement, improving team effectiveness.
Test your knowledge: Managing team development and dynamics
Practice Assignment
6. Imagine you are a project manager and two of your team members disagree about how to approach a workflow problem. The debate leads to a personal conflict, so you listen to their arguments and propose a compromise that will move the project forward. During which stage of team development does this scenario take place?
- Performing
- Forming
- Norming
- Storming
Explanation:
The storming stage is when conflicts, disagreements, and challenges often arise as team members adjust to working together. Resolving disputes and finding compromises is a key part of moving the team towards the next stage.
7. Imagine you are managing a local craft festival and one of the vendors requests a larger booth at the last minute. You delegate the issue to your operations coordinator because you’re confident they can resolve it effectively. During which stage of team development does this scenario take place?
- Norming
- Forming
- Performing
- Storming
Explanation:
The performing stage is characterized by high levels of trust and autonomy within the team. Team members can handle tasks independently and effectively, as shown by the delegation in this scenario.
8. Imagine you are managing a team of people who haven’t worked together before. You decide to schedule a lunch for the team to get acquainted and learn about the project. During which stage of team development does this scenario take place?
- Norming
- Performing
- Storming
- Forming
Explanation:
The forming stage is when team members meet and begin building relationships. Activities like team lunches help establish rapport and introduce the project.
9. Imagine as a project manager on a new project, you introduce a new task check-in process to the team. The team picks up the process quickly, and you decide to continue it for the remainder of the project. During which stage of team development does this scenario take place?
- Storming
- Forming
- Performing
- Norming
Explanation:
The norming stage is when the team establishes norms and routines, such as adopting a new check-in process. Team members start collaborating effectively and understand their roles.
10. What should project managers do to manage team dynamics? Select all that apply.
- Understand how to motivate the team.
- Forge a consensus and set clear goals.
- Allow team members to set their own task dependencies.
- Create a safe and collaborative environment.
Explanation:
To manage team dynamics, project managers should:
- Motivate team members to ensure productivity.
- Build consensus and establish clear goals to align the team’s efforts.
- Foster a safe and collaborative environment to encourage open communication.
Allowing team members to set their own task dependencies without oversight could lead to misalignment and inefficiencies.
Module 4 Challenge
Graded Assignment
11. Which of the following are true of teams? Select all that apply.
- Follow the directives of a single person
- Encourage accountability
- Foster creativity
- Collaborate to solve problems in service of a shared goal
12. Imagine you manage a large marketing team working on a new campaign. You want each individual to understand their job expectations and the consequences of their performance. To aid in this, you set up a central project tracker so the team can follow their progress. Which of the five elements of effective teams does this scenario demonstrate?
- Dependability
- Structure and clarity
- Psychological safety
- Meaning
13. Imagine you are project managing a merger between two healthcare companies. The project is large and complex, so you send out weekly emails highlighting the most important tasks. Which aspect of effective team building does this scenario demonstrate?
- Prioritize tasks
- Listen and ask questions
- Celebrate team success
- Promote psychological safety
14. In what two ways can project managers listen and communicate effectively?
- Celebrate team success and milestones
- Create motivation by rewarding good work
- Ask team members how they prefer to communicate
- Hold regular team meetings
15. What are Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of team development?
- Forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning
- Forming, warming, informing, performing, adjourning
- Conforming, storming, informing, transforming, adjourning
- Conforming, warming, norming, transforming, conforming
16. Imagine your company introduces a new feedback system for employees to share ideas, report grievances, and receive follow-ups from leadership. This helps to align values within the team and promotes honesty, respect, and integrity. Which leadership quality does this change demonstrate?
- Ethical leadership
- Inclusive leadership
- Democratic leadership
- Strategic leadership
17. Imagine a tech company wants to use another firm’s processor in its new laptop. The project manager writes to the firm’s CEO about the mutual benefits and projected sales numbers. Which steps of effective influencing is the project manager demonstrating? Select all that apply.
- Provide evidence
- Connect emotionally
- Frame for common ground
- Establish credibility
18. As a project manager, which of the following are your organizational sources of power? Select all that apply.
- Character
- Reputation
- Role
- Network
19. Which step in the ethical decision-making framework could include a question such as “Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm?”
- Recognize an ethical issue.
- Make a decision and test it.
- Evaluate alternative actions.
- Act and reflect on the outcome.
20. As a project manager, you want to provide air cover for your team by not explicitly saying “no” to a stakeholder’s request. Which of the following are two possible strategies to achieve this?
- Offer to get back to the stakeholder once you gather more information, which may provide time for the stakeholder to reconsider their request.
- Refer the stakeholder to project management best practices such as how to effectively complete a project.
- Have each teammate email the stakeholder giving their perspectives on why the request cannot be completed.
- Explain to the stakeholder that their request won’t be possible under the current constraints of the project.
21. A group forms in your company to solve problems and complete important tasks together instead of independently. Which term describes this group?
- Executive Leadership
- Work group
- Team
- Customers
22. A project manager creates a safe space for teammates to feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions. Which of the five elements of effective teams are they providing?
- Structure and clarity
- Dependability
- Impact
- Psychological safety
23. You are managing a long-term project with few clear milestones. To keep up momentum and morale, you wrap up weekly meetings by highlighting the team’s best work. Which aspect of effective team building does this scenario demonstrate?
- Listen and ask questions
- Delegate responsibility
- Prioritize tasks
- Create motivation
24. In what way can project managers create systems and turn chaos into order?
- Make team members communicate with stakeholders about goals.
- Ensure team members feel safe asking questions.
- Implement a standardized process to measure success for your team.
- Email team members asking for feedback on the team.
25. You complete a project, celebrate a job well done, and release all team members to their next assignment. What is this stage of Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of team development?
- Forming
- Norming
- Adjourning
- Storming
26. What can project managers do to support ethical and inclusive leadership? Select all that apply.
- Create equal opportunities for team members to succeed.
- Foster a culture of respect.
- Delegate tasks and motivate team members.
- Invite and integrate diverse perspectives.
27. Which of the following are common mistakes a person makes when attempting to influence others? Select all that apply.
- Connect emotionally with their audience.
- Assume they can work through issues quickly
- Approach their audience too aggressively.
- Resist compromise
28. Which of the following are steps in the ethical decision-making framework developed by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics? Select all that apply.
- Weigh the benefits.
- Get the facts.
- Evaluate alternative actions.
- Recognize an ethical issue.
29. A project manager works hard to improve team members’ sense of purpose towards a project. What factor are they trying to improve for team effectiveness?
- Structure and clarity
- Dependability
- Meaning
- Impact
30. How can project managers demonstrate empathy and create motivation within a team?
- Create a system for team members to complete tasks.
- Request that team members send a chat message every day.
- Ask the team regular questions and recognize a job well done.
- Invite leadership to the team’s daily standups.
31. As a project manager, you act as a role model, create a comfortable environment, and recognize team contributions. These actions demonstrate which inclusive leadership principle?
- Get feedback from all team members.
- Foster culture and respect for the team.
- Create equal opportunity for the team to succeed.
- Integrate diverse perspectives.
32. What are Jay A. Conger’s four steps to effective influencing?
- Create equal opportunities, foster a culture of respect, demonstrate ethical leadership, and align values with the team
- Motivate the team, manage team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and celebrate milestones
- Establish credibility, frame for common ground, provide evidence, and connect emotionally
- Form the team, storm through conflict, norm practices, and perform actions
33. A project manager improves their ability to communicate with team members and focuses on their approach with an audience. What personal source of power are they improving?
- Character
- Expressiveness
- Knowledge
- Network
34. Which of the following is not a step in the ethical decision-making framework developed by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics?
- Evaluate alternative actions.
- Consider the personal benefits.
- Make a decision and test it.
- Get the facts.
35. As a project manager, you want to provide air cover for your team regarding a stakeholder request. Which of the options below best demonstrates getting feedback from your team while providing air cover?
- Select two trusted team members to discuss the issue.
- Tell your stakeholders “no” due to lack of extra time or budget for the project.
- Tell your stakeholders “yes” and hold a team meeting to delegate tasks.
- Hold an urgent meeting with all team members to discuss the issue.
36. A project manager thinks of ways to maximize individual strengths, foster creativity, and encourage accountability within their group. What team benefit is the project manager hoping to achieve?
- Increase competition within the group.
- Allow the team to provide performance reviews for each other.
- Allow the team to keep track of who completes the most tasks.
- Increase teamwork within the group.
37. Your project team just launched a new website. You schedule time for your team to meet and you treat them to lunch. Which aspect of effective team building does this scenario demonstrate?
- Delegate responsibility and prioritize tasks.
- Celebrate team success.
- Communicate and listen.
- Promote trust and psychological safety.
38. Which of the following actions can a project manager take to support team development? Select all that apply.
- Celebrate final milestones and successes.
- Delegate tasks and motivate team members.
- Encourage competition between team members.
- Resolve conflicts and listen as the team addresses problems.
39. How can a project manager invite and integrate the team's various perspectives?
- Provide constructive feedback for team members after the completion of every task.
- Ensure team members complete their tasks on their own.
- Act as a role model throughout the project and demonstrate how to complete tasks.
- Create a sense of psychological safety and ask team members to share their ideas.
40. Which personal source of power refers to your ability to learn new skills for a project quickly?
- Knowledge
- Network
- Character
- Reputation
41. Which of the following are strategies a project manager can use to provide air cover for their team? Select all that apply.
- Take on tasks when stakeholders request additional work.
- Reject a stakeholder request without explicitly saying “no.”
- Increase the project’s scope to satisfy stakeholder requests.
- Limit teammates’ knowledge of stakeholder requests.
42. While working on a project, you frequently request a list of completed tasks from your team members. To solve this, you create a process for team members to update their task status in a daily chat message. Which aspect of effective team building does this scenario demonstrate?
- Create systems that turn chaos into order.
- Celebrate team success.
- Promote trust and psychological safety.
- Delegate responsibility and prioritize tasks.
43. A project manager regularly communicates with team members, ensures documentation is accessible, and schedules regular check-ins. Which inclusive leadership principle are they practicing?
- Foster growth for the career path of team members.
- Create equal opportunity for the team to succeed.
- Foster performance among all team members.
Create competition among all team members.
44. A project manager drafts an email to a potential vendor and highlights in-depth feedback from surveys about the vendor’s products. Which step of effective influencing is the project manager demonstrating?
- Frame for common ground.
- Connect emotionally.
- Establish credibility.
- Provide evidence.
45. As a project manager, you want to provide air cover for your team by intervening from behind the scenes. Which of the following strategies can help to achieve this?
- Have team members communicate with stakeholders.
- Meet with two team members to discuss options.
- Meet with the whole team.
- Have two members email their feedback to stakeholders.
46. Which of the following are benefits of teamwork? Select all that apply.
- It encourages accountability.
- It helps teams meet project goals.
- It fosters creativity.
- It clarifies roles and responsibilities
47. In what ways can project managers promote psychological safety? Select all that apply.
- Create standardized, measurable, and scalable workflows.
- Schedule time for thoughtful, inclusive discussions.
- Reduce confusion by prioritizing tasks.
- Encourage contributions from team members of all ranks.
48. A project manager dedicates five minutes at the end of each team meeting to discuss issues with a task or project. What is this stage of Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of team development?
- Forming
- Adjourning
- Norming
- Storming
49. As a project manager, which of the following are personal sources of power? Select all that apply.
- Character
- Role
- Information
- Knowledge
50. Which of the five factors that impact team effectiveness is the most important?
- Impact
- Meaning
- Psychological safety
- Dependability
51. In what ways does delegating work make project managers more effective leaders? Select all that apply.
- It allows project managers to focus on the project as a whole.
- It makes project managers better at meeting stakeholder needs.
- It lets team members feel safe asking questions.
- It gives team members a chance to add value to the project.
52. As a project manager, you begin working on a new project. You outline the project goals to the team. You also explain the tasks the team must complete for the project to succeed. What is this stage of Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of team development?
- Adjourning
- Norming
- Storming
- Forming
53. A stakeholder requests a new feature for the current milestone. How can the project manager protect the team and keep the stakeholder satisfied?
- Provide air coverfor the team and communicate with the stakeholder.
- Redo the project schedule and start the timeline again.
- Say “yes” to the stakeholder and assign new tasks to the team members.
- Start a new statement of work for the project and present it to the stakeholders.
54. As a project manager, you email all team members requesting their feedback on processes and their preferred method of collaboration. Which aspect of effective team building does this scenario demonstrate?
- Promote trust.
- Celebrate team success.
- Delegate responsibility and prioritize tasks.
- Communicate and listen.
55. Your company enacted new, family-friendly policies in order to support and retain employees. Benefits include longer paid leave, flexible work hours, and on-site daycare. Which leadership quality do these changes demonstrate?
- Inclusive leadership
- Democratic leadership
- Strategic leadership
- Authoritative leadership
56. Which organizational source of power refers to your level of access and control over project details?
- Network
- Reputation
- Information
- Character
57. Which of the following are true of teams? Select all that apply.
- They collaborate to solve problems in service of a shared goal.
- They follow the directives of a single person.
- They encourage accountability.
- They foster creativity.
58. How can project managers appreciate a team’s hard work after they complete milestones in a project?
- Complete a performance review for the team members.
- Schedule a team meeting to go out for lunch.
- Schedule a team meeting to review retrospectives.
- Assign more tasks to team members for the next milestone.
59. Which source of organizational power refers to the people you are connected with professionally and personally?
- Reputation
- Character
- Role
- Network
60. Which of the following statements best describes a project manager providing air cover for their team?
- They create a proposal to increase the project’s timeline, budget, or scope.
- They fill in where there are task and skill gaps within the team.
- They support and protect a team from out-of-scope requests or criticism from leadership.
- They shield teammates from having to communicate with stakeholders and leadership.
Related contents:
Module 1: Introduction to project execution
Module 2: Quality management and continuous improvement
Module 3: Data-informed decision-making
Module 5: Effective project communication
Module 6: Closing a project
