Basics of
Management Exercise



Consider each statement and decide whether you think it is true or false. Give an answer for every statement even if you are unsure about your response. Any answer that you have left blank, counts as wrong.

1

The reason many people perform unsatisfactorily is that they fear failure.

2

Unsatisfactory performance should be closely monitored and documented.

3

There really aren't many unsatisfactory employees - but quite a few unsatisfactory managers.

4

One of the main reasons people become dissatisfied with their job is that they fail at it.

5

The best way to change unsatisfactory behaviour is to confront people with it.

6

If you don't like your boss, you can never be effective in your job.

7

The vast majority of unsatisfactory performance is caused by individuals not knowing what is expected of them.

8

Many managers, having once formed an opinion about an employee, are unlikely to change their mind.

9

Unsatisfactory performance is often the result of a lack of training.

10

Unsatisfactory performers should be asked to write down what they see themselves responsible for.

11

One of the most important questions to ask when reviewing performance is, "How do you use your time?"

12

A set of agreed objectives is like a contract between a manager and a subordinate.

13

Objectives need be set only for new tasks, not ongoing activities.

14

Objectives whose achievement depend on the actions of more than one individual are impractical.

15

A major objective for any manager is the effectiveness of his or her subordinates.

16

A job, which has more than eight or ten major objectives, needs restructuring.

17

An objective which cannot be measured is more or less useless.

18

Having clear objectives improves job satisfaction.

19

All objectives should have clear completion dates.

20

Important job objectives should always be set in consultation with others.

21

Discipline of staff should be the responsibility of specialists or senior managers.

22

Rules of conduct and performance should only be set if they can be enforced.

23

Giving clear recognition for work well done is a good way of motivating people.

24

Actually, there are relatively few differences between people.

25

Performance is usually related to the amount of education a person has.

26

Women often experience difficulty in managing men.

27

Complaints about the workplace and general policy usually indicate other problems.

28

A good way to get people to improve their performance is to make them part of a group of high performers.

29

A mark of a good manager is that subordinates come to him or her when they are having problems with their work.

30

Subordinates should listen without interruption when receiving instructions.

31

Individuals in tightly scheduled jobs should be supervised closely.

32

If they were listened to, most employees could contribute more to productivity.

33

Hints of disciplinary action will usually improve performance.

34

It is best to ignore minor rule infractions if they involve the best employees.

35

If employees are allowed to set their own targets, they almost invariably set them higher than their bosses would.

36

Productivity usually increases when employees know how their work contributes to the final product.

37

Systematically sharing profit, revenue and productivity data with employees will increase performance.

38

Consistent punishment of mistakes leads to higher quality output and performance.

39

If you give instructions clearly, you only have to give them once.

40

People should be encouraged to take on work which is just beyond their current capability.

41

People new to the job need clear instructions not explanations.

42

Performance increases when people feel their ideas have been listened to and used.

43

Subordinates almost always know things about the job that their bosses do not.

44

A manager's job is catch people's mistakes before they do damage.

45

Managers should discuss their subordinates' performance with them at least monthly.

46

Top down management styles provide less performance feedback.

47

Giving people negative feedback on their performance leads to demotivation and should be avoided if possible.

48

Generally, people tend to hear what they want to hear, and ignore what they don't wish to hear.

49

The annual appraisal is a golden opportunity for feedback on performance.

50

Even if the boss's expectations are high, subordinates' performance will very often rise to meet them.