2. Leadership and Management Flashcards
(84 cards)
L1- 1. MSgt Crawford has been tasked to lead a small team on an upcoming deployment to Senegal. This will be his first time deployed to the region so in preparation he has been studying the cultural environment in an attempt to familiarize himself with the values, beliefs and norms. He is trying to better understand the common way of life of his local counterparts in effort to increase working relations while operating in the area.
MSgt Crawford’s actions BEST illustrate the ______________dimension of the POA and its impact on mission effectiveness.
a. Physical
b. Intellectual
c. Moral
b. Intellectual
CORRECT: According to the Profession of Arms chapter, the POA is intellectual because military professionals must be culturally aware; sensitive to differences and the implications those differences have on the operational environment. MSgt Crawford’s attempt to familiarize himself with the local environment reflects the Intellectual Dimension of the POA.
L1-2. CMSgt Tate calls MSgt Briggs into her office and notifies her that she has been tasked to depart for her third deployment. MSgt Briggs immediately thinks of her two children ages three and eight; obviously she will miss them deeply. Although her husband will take care of them in her absence she begins to wonder how much longer she can continue to deploy this way. Nonetheless, MSgt Briggs is aware of the importance of her leadership role and informs the Chief she will proudly answer her call to duty.
MSgt Briggs actions BEST illustrate the core value of __________ and its impact on mission effectiveness.
a. Service Before Self
b. Excellence in All We Do
c. Integrity First
a. Service Before Self
CORRECT: According to the Profession of Arms chapter, the Air Force Core Values of Service Before Self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires.
L1-3. Which of the following BEST identifies Professional Methods?
Professional Methods…
a. involve the actual application of professional knowledge and theory
b. encompass a combination of emotional, moral, and intellectual qualities
c. include both tangible and intangible measurements of performance
a. involve the actual application of professional knowledge and theory
CORRECT: According to the Profession of Arms chapter, professional methods involve the actual application of professional knowledge and theory to any given situation.
L1-4. MSgt Smith is two classes shy of completing his Community College of the Air Force Degree. Uncertain about his future in the Air Force he decides to make completion a priority for the upcoming year. He also decides to seek out other opportunities that will help increase his management skills. Looking back he wishes he would have been motived to do so earlier in his career.
MSgt Smith actions BEST illustrate ___________.
a. Developing Others
b. Self-Development
c. Direction, Discipline and Recognition
b. Self-Development
CORRECT: According to the Profession of Arms chapter, self-development is the disciplined will to leverage learning opportunities that increase or improve your knowledge, skills and attitudes.
L1-5. A1C Rico has really been working hard over the last quarter. In fact, he has come to work early to complete assignments which helped the unit mission success rate stay above average. A1C Rico’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. To keep him motivated and hoping to increase the initiative of other unit members, MSgt Smith submits A1C Rico for Airman of the Quarter. MSgt Smith’s actions BEST illustrate his understanding of ________ and its impact on subordinate effectiveness.
a. Self-Development
b. Developing Others
c. Direction, Discipline and Recognition
c. Direction, Discipline and Recognition
CORRECT: According to the Profession of Arms chapter, DDR is critical to your early development and helps maintain a high degree of professionalism throughout your career.
L1-6. SSgt Blount, a heavy equipment trainer, will be separating from the Air Force in six months. He’s very excited about getting out and starting a new career. MSgt Kersey calls SSgt Blount into his office and informs him that he’ll continue to train the new arrivals until his separation date. Upset SSgt Blount says, “This is unfair and will take up too much of my time.”
Because SSgt Blount ___________, his actions will MOST likely __________ mission effectiveness.
a. understands Professional Methods; enhance
b. misunderstands Professional Methods; hinder
c. understands Professional Standards; enhance
d. misunderstands Professional Standards; hinder
d. misunderstands Professional Standards; hinderd.
CORRECT: SSgt Blount’s comments, “This is unfair and will take up too much of my time” reflect a professional standard values conflict. According to the Profession of Arms chapter, a values conflict occurs when personal values conflict with those of the institution.
L1-7. MSgt Smith is overseeing newly assigned members of his unit performing routine vehicle checks. Through observation, he notices that some of the members are not conducting the checks as required. Although his Airmen are working, MSgt Smith can tell they’re not sure as to what they should be doing. He decides he needs to conduct on-the-job training to bring his members up to speed.
Because MSgt Smith _____________, his actions will MOST likely ____________ mission effectiveness.
a. understands DDR; enhance
b. misunderstands DDR; hinder
c. understands Professional Methods; enhance
a. understands DDR; enhance
CORRECT: MSgt Smith decision to conduct on-the-job training represents his understanding of DDR. Direction is critical to early development and helps you learn your job.
L2- 1. SMSgt Downing calls TSgt Wilson into her office and says, “Since you’re going to be TSgt Carver’s sponsor, don’t forget the number of deployments he’s had lately. This may have caused a lot of stress on him and his family if they haven’t been prepared for the changes. Just keep it in mind as you help him out as the sponsor for this unit.” SMSgt Downing’s comments BEST identify the ______________________ tenet of mental fitness.
a. awareness
b. adaptability
c. decision making
d. positive thinking
b. adaptability
CORRECT. The adaptability tenet of mental fitness is the ability to adapt to changes associated with military life, including flexible roles within the family. This is evident in SMSgt Downing’s statement when he says “number of deployments he’s had lately” (changes associated with military life), and “caused a lot of stress on him and his family if they haven’t been prepared for the changes” (including flexible roles within the family).
L2- 2. SMSgt Bloom explains to his team, “We’ve all been under a lot of stress. Since we have some time before our next deployment, we should consider getting involved in activities that help us wind down between these difficult times.”
SMSgt Bloom’s comments BEST identify the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ tenet of physical fitness.
a. endurance
b. recovery
c. strength
b. recovery
CORRECT. The recovery tenet of physical fitness includes the practices you engage in that help to restore energy to your body and counterbalance stress that could result in adverse moods and/or deteriorating performance. The recovery tenet is evident when SMSgt Bloom says, “We should consider getting involved in activities that help us wind down during these difficult times.”
L2-3. SMSgt Casey says to his flight, “We’ve been under a lot of stress for the inspection and I’ve seen a lot of bickering during the last few weeks. Sometimes, when you’re feeling stressed, you may tend to see only the negative. We need to do better. Let’s make sure we answer questions with optimistic, helpful feedback.”
SMSgt Casey’s comments BEST identify the ______________________ tenet of social fitness.
a. communication
b. connectedness
c. social support
a. communication
CORRECT. The communication tenet of social fitness is the exchange of thoughts, opinions, or information, including problem-solving and relationship management. It includes responding to others with positive, constructive feedback, even when you’re feeling distress, and may tend to see only the negative. SMSgt Casey’s comments indicate the communication tenet of social fitness when he says, “Let’s make sure we answer questions with optimistic, helpful feedback.”
L2-4. SMSgt Tutor says to his flight, “I learned from the Senior NCO DL course we all have principles that form the framework for our approaches and how we see life in general. They’re a reflection of what’s important to us as individuals. These should guide us as we approach our next deployment.”
SMSgt Tutor’s comments BEST identify ______________________ tenet of spiritual fitness.
a. the core values
b. perseverance
c. perspective
d. purpose
b. perseverance
CORRECT. The core values tenet of spiritual fitness includes organizational values (core values) and also personal values that can help form the framework for our attitudes and how we see/approach life in general. They’re a reflection of what’s important to us as individuals. SMSgt Tutor’s comments indicate the core values tenet of spiritual fitness when he says, “…we all have principles (values) that form the framework for our approaches (attitudes) and how we see life in general. They’re a reflection of what’s important to us as individuals.”
L2-5. SMSgt Mullins calls TSgt Lynn into her office and says, “Being able to evaluate a condition, conclude the desired result, and create a route to get there takes work and good resolution. The ability to do so can enhance your mental fitness.”
SMSgt Mullin’s comments BEST identify the ______________________ tenet of mental fitness.
a. awareness
b. adaptability
c. decision making
d. positive thinking
c. decision making
c. CORRECT. The decision making tenet of mental fitness involves the ability to assess a situation, determine the desired outcome, and chart a path to get there. It takes work and good judgement. This is evident in SMSgt Mullins’ statement when he says “Being able to evaluate a condition (assess a situation), conclude the desired result (determine the desired outcome), and create a route (chart a path) to get there takes work and good resolution.
L2-6. While working on a team project, TSgt Black asks, “It’s amazing to me that our folks are able to overcome all of the stress associated with these deployments…I’d go crazy if I had to deploy that much.” SMSgt Lopez replies, “You’d be surprised what you can handle. When you embrace our core values as intended, they can help you deal with the tension that might seem to be unbearable.”
SMSgt Lopez’s comments BEST illustrate his understanding of _________ fitness and its impact on mission effectiveness.
a. physical
b. social
c. spiritual
c. spiritual
CORRECT. Organizational and personal core values are a part of spiritual fitness. They are useful when dealing with stressors (tension) that might appear to be insurmountable (unbearable). This is evident in Lopez’s comments, “When you embrace our core values as intended, they can be help you deal with the tension that might seem to be unbearable.”
L2- 7. SMSgt Gomez explains to his team, “MSgt Leap was put in the superintendent position because he has a good grasp on acute thinking skills, self-awareness, and he’s shown the ability to bounce back from diversity…that’s what we need for this position.”
Because SMSgt Gomez __________ fitness, his actions will MOST likely _________ the mission.
a. understands social; enhance
b. misunderstands social; hinder
c. understands mental; enhance
d. misunderstands mental; hinder
c. understands mental; enhance
CORRECT. By practicing skills such as critical thinking, self-awareness, and flexibility, you’re more likely to strengthen your mental fitness…making it easier for you to adapt your thinking and emotions to deal with stressors in a way that helps you return to your normal state quicker. This is evident in Gomez’s comments when he says, “he has a good grasp on acute thinking skills (critical thinking), self-awareness, and he’s shown the ability to bounce back from diversity (flexibility)”. His actions will most likely enhance the mission.
L3- 1. ____________ are the study of what we understand to be good and right behavior and the study of how we judge those behaviors.
a. Morals
b. Ethics
c. Values
b. Ethics
b. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, ethics is the study of what we understand to be good and right behavior and the study of how we judge those behaviors. It is a set of standards of conduct that guide decisions and actions based on duties derived from core values. We characterize people as ethical when they act in ways that are consistent with societal moral values. In other words, the ethics of our decisions and actions are defined societally, not individually.
L3- 2. The Air Force Core Values, Oath of Enlistment, and DOD 5500.7-R assist us in making sound ethical decisions.
a. True
b. False
a. True
a. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, the Air Force Core Values, the Oath of Enlistment, Air Force Instructions, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, DOD 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), and AFI 36-2618, Enlisted Force Structure, all assist SNCOs in making sound ethical decisions
L3- 3. When diagnosing ethical dilemmas, SNCOs should ________________.
a. diagnose only the dilemmas that are present
b. consider the second and third order consequences
c. reconcile dilemmas using the 5-Step Process
b. consider the second and third order consequences
b. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, as a leader you should always attempt to anticipate and consider the second and third order consequences when making decisions
L3- 4. Which ethical principle serves as a reminder to SNCOs that we must always put truth and honor first, followed by mission accomplishment and our Airmen?
a. The Three Ps
b. The Three Rs
c. The Three Ds
a. The Three Ps
a. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, the Three Ps (Principle, Purpose, and People) serve as a reminder to SNCOs that we must always put Principle (truth-telling and honor) first; Purpose (mission accomplishment and duty) second; and People third. However, this does not offer the foundation for the other ethical principles.
L3- 5. Dr. Toner’s _________________ Test answers the question, “Will the end justify the means?”
a. Community
b. Situation
c. Consequences
c. Consequences
c. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, The Consequences Test answers the question, “Will the end justify the means?”
L3- 6. MSgt Jameson observes SSgt Duris performing an inspection on a newly assigned aircraft. The inspection checklist calls for removing and replacing a part after 90 days of use. Jameson approaches Duris and says, “I noticed you did not change that part even though you signed the checklist. True, the aircraft could fly a successful mission, but what if it crashes because of your actions…would you be embarrassed or humiliated? Also, would you be able to explain this to your family or friends?” Duris apologizes for the short-cut and replaces the part. The scenario BEST illustrates the __________ and its impact on mission effectiveness.
a. use of at least one of Dr. Toner’s tests
b. the use of at least one of Dr. Toner’s supporting principles
c. the avoidance of an ethical trap
a. use of at least one of Dr. Toner’s tests
a. CORRECT: MSgt Jameson used two of Toner’s six tests, which, according to the Ethical Leadership chapter, “consists of the best and worst outcomes of your decision.” Jameson asks Duris if he could accept the best outcome (successful mission) or worst possible outcome (aircraft crashing). Jameson used The Shame Test (… would you be embarrassed, discredited, or humiliated) and The Community Test (… would you want your family, peers, neighbors, or friends to know.)
L3- 7. Major Erlbaum, Military Justice Officer in Charge, hands MSgt Franklin, Legal Office Superintendent, an Article 15 and says, “Although I’ve had this for a month, I was finally able to review it for legal sufficiency. Rather than jeopardize our reputation as having the best metrics in the command, it would be easier to enter last Friday’s date into the Article 15 database. Franklin answers, “Sir, rather than implement your simple solution, let’s discuss how to prevent this situation from happening again.” MSgt Franklin’s ___________ will MOST likely ________her effectiveness.
a. concern for worry over image; hinder
b. lack of concern for worry over image; enhance
c. drive for success; hinder
d. drive for success; enhance
b. lack of concern for worry over image; enhance
b. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, “Worry over Image is an ethical trap that entails making decisions based on how the decision will impact one’s reputation/ standing among peers, subordinates, supervisors, community etc. rather than on military rules, regulations and codes of conduct.” Because MSgt Franklin is not concerned about her image, her lack of concern will most likely enhance her effectiveness.
L3- 8. During a feedback session with MSgt Gray, CMSgt Lovell says, “I don’t know how you’ve done it, but since your arrival, I’ve noticed your flight members tend to have a sense of enthusiasm, common purpose, and confidence in the future of this organization.” Gray responds, “I believe it is the collective actions, decisions, and behaviors of my flight members that are causing a more positive, more ethical climate throughout the organization.” Lovell replies, “Well, whatever you think it is, keep it up.” MSgt Gray’s __________ will MOST likely __________his effectiveness
a. failure to understand military ethics; hinder
b. understanding of military ethics; enhance
c. failure to understand tipping; hinder
d. understanding of tipping; enhance
d. understanding of tipping; enhance
d. CORRECT: According to the Ethical Leadership chapter, Tipping is about moving the climate of an organization toward a positive/ethical climate. “The climate of an organization is determined by the collective actions, decisions, and behaviors of its members. As organizations move toward a more positive/ethical climate, a sense of enthusiasm, common purpose, and confidence in the future begins to accelerate the tipping effect. At this point, professional actions, decisions, and behaviors directed toward the achievement of organizational goals and objectives become the norm.
L4- 1. MSgt Merk was just briefed her unit is adopting a new process for routing helpdesk trouble tickets. She became upset since a great deal of effort was spent getting her new airmen proficient at using the current process. Immediately, she thought about developing plans to address the change, but decided to talk with her mentor, SMSgt Bellard first. He reminded her to be more optimistic about the change, especially when trying to get her people on board. She agreed but also added that she has to be realistic with them about how difficult the change will be. After her discussion with SMSgt Bellard, she decided to talk with her people to find out what concerns they may have about the new process before taking action. MSgt Merk’s actions BEST illustrate the use of ______________Flexibility.
a. Cognitive
b. Emotional
c. Dispositional
b. Emotional
b. CORRECT. According to the Change Management chapter, emotional flexibility involves using your support systems (talking with her mentor, SMSgt Bellard), facing reality (being optimistic and realistic about change), and listening (finding out what concerns her people may have). Although MSgt Merk thought about developing plans to address the change (which might hint at cognitive flexibility), she decided to talk with her mentor instead
L4- 2. MSgt Keele returned from the unit weekly staff meeting and briefed his people about a new procedure that impacts how EPRs are submitted to the commander. While most of his people just listened, a few begin to express frustration…they argued that it will take more time than the current process. Even though MSgt Keele tried to explain the rationale behind the change, his rationales were countered with statements that support why the change will fail. Since many of them have experience with the unit’s current EPR approval process, they presented a new idea they think is better than the one MSgt Keele briefed.
This scenario BEST illustrates _________ behavior towards the new procedure.
a. Denial
b. Bargaining
c. Depression
b. Bargaining
CORRECT. According to the Change Management chapter, bargaining behavior includes attempting to put off the change or recommending alternatives to the change. In this scenario, MSgt Keele’s people offer an alternative to the commander’s new process they think will work better.