Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
Answers to Questions in the Text
Chapter 10: Organizational Behavior:
Power, Politics, Conflict, and Stress
WORK APPLICATION SAMPLE ANSWERS
Most of the answers are actual student answers or based on student answers. You may give these answers
as part of your lecture before, after, or in place of getting student answers.
10–1. Identify a present or past boss’s personality; refer to the personality traits in the Self–
Assessment.
My boss was an externalizer, as he was always blaming everyone else for things that went wrong. He was
10–2. Give three examples of how you (or a manager you know) have used the attribution process at
work.
I went to my boss for help, and he gave me a flip answer with a negative attitude about helping me.
I attributed it to being situational, assuming he was in a bad mood that day.
10–3. Give an example of a situation that you and someone else experienced together but perceived
differently. Which of the biases in perception might explain the difference in perception?
My friend and I had to go to a company training program for two hours one afternoon. The training
10–4. Give an example of how your attitude affected your performance at work.
I worked as an administrative assistant for a law firm. At first, I liked the job but over time I came to
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
10–5. Think of someone who really expected you to perform well (or poorly) and treated you as if you
would do well (or poorly), which strongly affected your success (or failure). Explain how the
Pygmalion effect influenced your performance.
I remember being on a Little League baseball team. I was a pretty good hitter, but I got into a slump.
10–6. Identify the type(s) of power usually used by your current boss or a previous boss. Was there
any type(s) of power that this person used only rarely?
My boss at Papa Gino’s used reward power. We got periodic reviews and raises every few months.
10–7. Which of the suggestions for increasing your power are the most relevant to you? Explain.
10–8. Give an example of how you used political behavior to achieve an organizational objective.
We worked on a loading dock and packed trucks alone. However, when we had a heavy item to load,
we would help each other. This is reciprocity, and the trade-off was helping each other.
10–9. Which of the suggestions for developing political skills is the most relevant to you?
I need to stay tuned in to the grapevine more. I tend to be shy and quiet and don’t socialize much
10–10. Think of one of your present or past bosses and give several examples of the conflict
management style that person used most often.
My boss was a real negotiator. He was very concerned about treating all employees fairly. For
10–11. Which one of the five conflict management styles do you tend to use most often? Explain.
I tend to use the forcing style. I don’t come right out and really push people with threats, but I do
tend to be closed to others’ ideas. Therefore, I tend to do a strong sales job by explaining why what
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
10–12. Describe a conflict in which you used (or should have used) a BCF statement.
I had a situation with my friend coming to pick me up from work late, and I had to wait for her before
10–13. If you are currently experiencing stress at school or work, identify which of the stress-
management techniques you believe you can put into practice.
10–14. At which of the stress-management techniques are you best and worst? What can you do to
improve your stress-management skills?
REVIEW QUESTION ANSWERS
10–1. What are the Big Five personality dimensions?
The Big Five personality dimensions are extraversion, agreeableness, emotionalism,
10–2. What are the four biases in perception?
10–3. What are the determinants of job satisfaction? Are they of equal importance to everyone?
The six determinants of job satisfaction are personality, the work itself, compensation, growth and
10–4. What are the seven types of power?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
10–5. Can management order that power and politics in an organization be abolished? If yes, should
they?
No. They should not try to abolish power and politics because ethical power and politics are
10–6. Why should you learn the organizational culture and identify power players where you work?
Learning the organizational culture helps you to understand how to develop power through political
10–7. How do you know when you are in conflict?
10–8. What is the difference between functional and dysfunctional conflict, and how does each affect
performance?
Functional conflict exists when disagreement and opposition support the achievement of
10–9. What does it mean to “maintain ownership of a problem”?
10–10. What is the difference between a mediator and an arbitrator?
10–11. What are the characteristics of a Type A personality?
10–12. What are six stress-management techniques?
COMMUNICATION SKILLS ANSWERS
10–1. Does personality really play a part in your personal and professional happiness and success? Can
you change your personality? If so, how?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
Yes. Generally, people who are externalizers, pessimistic, emotionally unstable, and irresponsible
10–2. Why do most people use attribution rather than ask people why they do and say the things they
do? How often do you use attribution rather than asking people? Why?
10–3. Does the Pygmalion effect really work? Why or why not?
10–4. What is your attitude toward power and politics in organizations? Should power and politics be
changed, and if so, how?
10–5. Which of the guidelines for developing political skills do you think is most important? Why?
10–6. What are the most relevant points you learned about negotiation that you didn’t already know
and use? Will you follow the steps in the negotiation process in future negotiations?
10–7. Which of the conflict management styles do you tend to use most often? Why?
10–8. How much stress do you have in your life? When do you tend to have more stress, and what is
(are) the major cause(s) of the stress?
Answers will vary.
10–9. Which of the stress-management techniques listed in the text do you use currently? Can you
think of or do you use any other stress-management techniques that are not listed in the text?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
APPLYING THE CONCEPT ANSWERS
Applying the Concept 10–1: Big Five Personality Types
Identify the personality type indicated by each comment.
A. extroversion
B. agreeableness
C. adjustment
D. conscientiousness
E. openness
3. I really like working with Tianna because she always comes with creative ideas during meetings
E. Openness to experience. The statement indicates a person that is willing to try new things.
4. I really like working with Timmy because he is so easy to have a conversation with.
A. Extroversion. The statement indicates a person that is social and talkative.
APPLYING THE CONCEPT ANSWERS
Applying the Concept 10–2: Perception Bias
Identify the perception bias indicated by each comment.
A. selectivity
B. frame of reference
C. stereotyping
D. expectations
E. “like me” assumption
6. Hank, I know you’re a good worker, but I can’t give you the assignment again. You should understand
that I have to be fair to everyone in the department.
7. Shawn, I thought you were my friend, and that you would back me on this.
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
8. Jamal, your point is weak. Don’t you understand that my ideas is much better?
9. The new guy Kit is a tall black, so I guess I should talk about basketball with him.
C. Stereotyping. This is a generalization of a group to one individual.
10. I usually know what Conroy is going to say at meetings. He is so predictable
Applying the Concept 10–3: Using Power
Identify the appropriate type of power to use in each situation.
A. coercive
B. connection
C. reward or legitimate
D. referent
E. information or expert
11. You have to get an important customer order shipped today, and Sonia is not working to standard
again. Sonia claims that she does not feel well and cannot afford to take time off, so she can’t get
much work done today.
12. Ari, one of your best workers, is currently not doing a good job as usual. You think Ari has a
personal problem affecting her work.
D. Referent. You will get the best results at influencing Ari by working on the relationship side of power.
Show a personal concern and willingness to help.
13. A new expensive robot machine is now available that can increase your department productivity.
Major purchases must be approved by a committee, and its decisions tend to be influenced by
politics.
14. Amita has talked to you about getting ahead and has asked you to help prepare her for a
supervisor position when the next opportunity opens.
154. Samuel is not wearing a required safety vest again, saying it is too hot.
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
Applying the Concept 10–4: Political Behavior
Identify the political behavior in each situation as
A. effective
B. ineffective
16. Juanita has to drop off daily reports at a certain office by noon. She brings them in around 10:00
on Monday and Wednesday so that she can run into some higher-level managers who meet at that
time near the office. On the other days, Juanita drops the reports off around noon on her way to
lunch
17. Ronnie signed up to play on the company softball team that includes some higher-level managers.
A. Effective. Ronnie can make some political connections by learning the power players.
18. Hoang told his boss’s boss about a mistake her boss made yesterday.
19. Romeo avoids socializing so that he can be more productive on the job.
17. Juliet sent copies of a report that she wrote to three higher-level managers.
Applying the Concept 10–5: Conflict Management Styles
Identify the most appropriate conflict management style to use in each situation.
A. avoiding style
B. accommodating style
C. forcing style
D. negotiating style
E. collaborating style
21. Usain is over budget for labor this month. The store currently is not busy, so he asks Erica, a part-
time employee, to leave work early. Erica tells him she doesn’t want to go because she needs the
money.
22. Kendra joined a committee that she has no real interest in to make contacts. At a meeting, she
makes a recommendation that is opposed by narcissist Kirkland, who is using a forcing style.
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
B. Accommodating style. When the conflict is not important to you but is for the other party, let it go. If
23. Deanna is on a task force that has to select a new high-tech machine. The four alternatives will all
do the job, but team members disagree about the brand, price, and service.
24. Jessica is the sales manager. Competent sales rep Hemet is trying to close a big sale. The two are
discussing the next sales call, and they disagree on the strategy to use to close the sale.
E. Collaborating style. This is an important issue that requires an optimal solution. Hemet needs to feel
25. Donald is on his way to an important meeting and running a little late. As he leaves the office, at
the other end of the work area he sees Bonita socializing instead of working.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Join the Discussion 10–1: Following Orders
Officers in the armed forces tend to use legitimate power with troops. Military recruits are conditioned
to follow orders without questioning authority. In fact, it is a crime for a military member to willfully
disobey any lawful order. However, many military officers issue unlawful orders to recruits and expect
them to obey them.
1. Is it ethical and socially responsible to teach people in the military or any other organization to
follow orders without questioning authority?
2. What would you do if your boss gave you an unethical/unlawful order?
3. Is following orders a good justification for conducting unethical/unlawful practices?
Join the Discussion 10–2: Obesity
Being overweight places stress on the body, and poor nutrition contributes to obesity. Obesity is on the
increase, and it is a major contributor to the rising cost of health care. Health officials are trying to
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 8e
Sage Publications, 2019
persuade Americans to lose weight. The government has released public service ads to convince people
to get in shape and eat right.
1. Is there prejudice and discrimination against obese people at work?
2. Is it ethical and socially responsible for the government to try to get people to lose weight through
ads and other methods?
3. What is the reason for the increase in obesity in the United States? Are restaurant owners and
other food marketers responsible for the obesity problem, or are consumers at fault?