A co-worker recently returned from a management seminar. She ...

[Frost2351]

A co-worker recently returned from a management seminar. She notes that empowerment is nothing more than giving employees autonomy. How should you respond?
 
  A) I agree.
  B) I disagree; power isn't about autonomy, it is about an individual's capacity to accomplish a task.
  C) I believe empowerment relates to both self-efficacy and task accomplishment.
  D) I believe empowerment improves team building through centralized decision making.

Question 2

You are the CEO of Sugar Land Light & Power. In reading the Wall Street Journal, you notice the editors have forecasted an unstable and unpredictable environment for the utility industry for the next 10 years.
 
  You also suspect a lot of change. What should you do?
  A) Empower your employees, arrange for more self-managing work teams, and broaden participation and accountability
  B) Maintain control and issue top-down mandates regarding strategy and direction
  C) Revisit company policies with both management and employees
  D) Do nothing; wait until problems surface

[sarahccccc]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: C
Explanation: A) Incorrect. Empowerment is not merely giving power to someone. It is fostering a positive attitude about task accomplishment and self-efficacy.
B) Incorrect. It is true that self-efficacy is part of empowerment, but autonomy is also a key feature.
C) Correct. Empowerment is focused both on results and on the means (providing freedom to employees) of accomplishing those results.
D) Incorrect. Rather than being characterized by centralized decision making, empowerment gives individuals decision-making power. Centralized decision making actually reduces empowerment levels, which employees perceive.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: A
Explanation: A) Correct. Instability and unpredictability call for a more flexible, empowered workforce. The worker's flexibility must match the flexibility of the environment. These actions will help unlock the success potential of your employees.
B) Incorrect. Instability and unpredictability call for a more flexible, empowered workforce rather than a rigid management style. This is despite the tendency (threat-rigidity response) to retain power in the face of uncertainty and instability.
C) Incorrect. This approach does not go far enough to address the company's ability to survive the impending changes.
D) Incorrect. Reacting to problems is less effective than avoiding them in the first place.

[Frost2351]

TY

[sarahccccc]

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