Melissa Woods was recently hired as the campaign manager at an ...

[amal]

Melissa Woods was recently hired as the campaign manager at an environmental organization. She has a degree in environmental sustainability and possesses substantial knowledge about the issue of global warming.
 
  She has the knowledge to lead the public relations team of the organization. However, a few months later, the board of directors of the organization expressed dissatisfaction with Melissa's performance and asked her to resign. Which of the following, if true, best explains this situation?
  A) Melissa had no prior experience in research and development.
  B) Melissa had weak interpersonal and networking skills to run the project.
  C) Melissa focused on the results her team achieved rather than how they achieved those results.
  D) Melissa is not up-to-date about the feasibility of using different modes of renewable energy.
  E) Melissa had a diverse network of contacts established from her previous job.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a managerial factor affecting the choice of leader behavior?
 
  A) the complexity of the organization
  B) the degree of trust and confidence that the leader has with followers
  C) followers' need for independence
  D) how important the decision is to the followers
  E) whether a time pressure exists for making a decision

[Pariscourtney]

Answer to Question 1

B
Explanation: B) The ability to understand, communicate with, motivate, and support other people, both individually and in groups, defines human skills. Many people are technically proficient but poor listeners, unable to understand the needs of others, or weak at managing conflicts. Since managers get things done through other people, they must have good human skills. Though Melissa had substantial knowledge about the issue of global warming, her weak interpersonal and networking skills explain why she was unable to lead the public relations team efficiently. Melissa having no prior experience in research and development plays no role in explaining why she was unable to lead the public relations team. Melissa focusing on the results her team achieved rather than how they achieved them does not indicate her underperformance in any way. In addition, Melissa not being up-to-date about the feasibility of using different modes of renewable energy indicates a lack of theoretical knowledge and not the inability to lead a public relations team. Melissa having a diverse network of contacts established from her previous job works against the situation because it would actually help Melissa in her job.

Answer to Question 2

B