Question

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Scenario: The HR director of Sealy Flooring, Ann, approached the customer service manager, Earl regarding a complaint a female employee made against Earl's favourite employee, Billy. Ann detailed that the female employee is uncomfortable with Billy's touchiness. Earl explained that he knows Billy and his wife well and that Billy is devoted to his marriage. Earl says that the female employee has misunderstood Billy's niceness. Earl tells Ann that the issue is not as dramatic as she is making it and that he will talk with Billy. Two weeks have passed since Ann brought the situation to Earl's attention. Earl can't find the way to approach Billy about the complaint so he has not told Billy about the concern.
Did Earl demonstrate characteristics of effective problem-solving and decision making? Select all that apply.

Select one:

a. Yes, Earl put aside his personal feelings, bias, and prejudice

b. Yes, Earl remained neutral

c. Yes, Earl gathered all the information

d. No, Earl did not make assumptions

e. No, Earl was emotionally attached

f. No, Earl was self-serving

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Scenario: Paul has been tasked with purchasing a new accounting software for the firm. He has his choices narrowed to two options, but the products are so much alike that he cannot decide. He called consulted three colleagues that he knows from the National Accounting Association for advice. After talking with his friends, Paul is ready to make his purchase.
Did Paul demonstrate characteristics of effective problem-solving and decision making? Select all that apply.

Select one or more:

a. Yes, Paul put aside personal feelings, bias, and prejudice

b. Yes, Paul gathered all the information

c. Yes, Paul analyzed the information

d. Yes, Paul accepted input from others

e. No, Paul was indecisive

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Scenario: Jennifer has plans to go hear a band with two friends. An hour before she was to meet her friends, Andy, a male friend that Jennifer has a crush on called and invited her out for the evening. Jennifer knows her friends are expecting her and they will be upset if she cancels, but Andy is so handsome, and she has been wanting to go out with him for a long time. Her friends will get over it. She calls her friends and tells them she is not feeling well and can't make it through the concert. She meets Andy for dinner.
Did Jennifer demonstrate characteristics of effective problem-solving and decision making? Select all that apply.

Select one:

a. Yes, Jennifer aside personal feelings, bias, and prejudice

b. Yes, Jennifer considered all the possible solutions

c. Yes, Jennifer was accountable for the decision

d. No, Jennifer was self-serving

e. No, Jennifer was indecisive

Answer 1

1. Answer: e. No, Earl was emotionally attached

Rationale: Since Billy was Earl's favorite employee, he was emotionally attached and didn't know how to communicate the complaint made against him.

Options a, b and c are not true since Earl did not use or demonstrate traits of effective problem-solving skills.

Option d and f are not true as Earl did not serve his own interests but was so emotionally involved that he did not know how to approach Billy without damaging their relationship. His assumptions about Billy were that he was not at fault.

2. Answer: b. Yes, Paul gathered all the information

d. Yes, Paul accepted input from others

Rationale: Paul gathered all information when he consulted both his colleagues and his friends. He made a decision only after he considered the information received from his colleagues and friends. Since Paul couldn't make a decision, asking his colleagues and friends' advice is him accepting input from others.

Option a is not true since the case doesn't show if Paul showed bias and prejudice against someone earlier and still consulted them for advice later. It only shows he was open to asking his colleagues for advice against who he probably didn't have any bias.

Option c is not explicitly stated in the case if he analyzed the information or not but the case shows that Paul gathered all information and accepted input from others, therefore, option c is not true.

Option e is not true as Paul demonstrates the traits of problem-solving and decision making by consulting and taking inputs from others.

3. Answer: d. No, Jennifer was self-serving

Rationale: Jennifer acted on her own interests when she went out for dinner with Andy and was selfish here. Even though she had plans to go to a concert with her friends, she lied to them just because she could spend the evening with her crush.

Options a, b, c, and e are not true because Jennifer did not show the traits of being an effective problem solver like a, b, and c. In option e, Jennifer was decisive by switching plans to meet her crush, therefore it is not the right answer.