The Test

from Able Leader, April 2007

by Steve Kaye

Okay, leaders, it's time.

Close your books, clear your desks, and open your minds.

Here is your exam for this quarter.

Note that some of the questions are easier than others. And each question has two parts: multiple choice and essay.

- - -

1) People want to be treated:
( a ) Like machines
( b ) Like people

Essay: You are planning a phone system for your company. Discuss caller (e.g., client) reactions to an automated system versus a live operator. How many push-button menus are too many? How does an automated system affect the efficiency of your staff who must listen to callers complain about it?

2) When designing a presentation, you should:
( a ) Use the slides to show how much clip art you own
( b ) Design slides that support what you say

Essay: What do you remember about the last presentation that you attended? Why did the speaker give this presentation? Did the speaker do anything that made it easy for you to identify the key points?

3) A meeting is:
( a ) A refuge for the bored and lonely
( b ) A business activity

Essay: Assume that you own a business (thus salaries come out of your income) and one of your employees calls a meeting. What do you expect this person to do before calling the meeting? How many people should be invited? How long should the meeting last?

4) Dominating a conversation shows:
( a ) Masterful use of words
( b ) Disrespect for others

Essay: While attending a professional luncheon, someone walks up to you, shoves a business card into your hand, and then spends ten minutes telling you about his (or her) business. What do you do with the card when you get home? How likely is it that you will call this person to hear more? What do you wish had happened?

5) The best presentations are:
( a ) Created on the spot
( b ) Rehearsed

Essay: Someone begins a presentation by saying, "I didn't have time to prepare for this." What do you expect will follow? Do you plan to listen? If not, how do you plan to spend your time?

6) Effective meetings produce
( a ) A victory for the majority
( b ) Results that everyone will support

Essay: You are on the losing side of an important issue. What is your next step? Do you plan to support (or implement) the decision made in this meeting? How do you feel about the way the meeting was conducted?

7) People attend conferences to:
( a ) Learn about the organization's leaders
( b ) Gain thought-provoking ideas

Essay: You are attending a conference. The president of the association spends a long time talking about himself, thereby eliminating 20 minutes of the keynote speaker's presentation. How many times did you check your watch while waiting for the program to start? Would you attend next year's conference? What points would you make if you were opening a conference?

8) Unproductive employees should be:
( a ) Punished
( b ) Coached

Essay: Describe a work situation where you were punished. How did you feel about the person who punished you? How did the punishment affect your performance? Discuss the cost-benefit of this punishment to your organization.

9) Questions should be:
( a ) Discouraged
( b ) Encouraged

Essay: List and explain at least three reasons why you ask questions.

Answers: All multiple choice answers are ( b ). Essay questions have the greatest likelihood of being correct if you describe the obvious.

Your Grade will depend upon how well you apply the answers.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300