PMP Practice Questions #11
Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take when a team member, who is allocated 50% less work than others, approaches you feeling stressed about the amount of work they have to complete in a week?
A) Show him the project schedule and the work allocated to other team members.
B) Explain to him that he is working at 50% allocation so he should not feel stressed.
C) Arrange a training for this person for skill enhancement since he is slow.
D) Ask him to share more about what is making him stressed and explore what can be done.
Analysis
The scenario presents a team member approaching the project manager because they feel stressed about their workload, even though they are allocated 50% less work than their colleagues. The key indicator is that, despite less work allocation, the team member is still stressed. The decision-making approach should be empathetic, without making assumptions or judgments about the team member’s performance, skills, or reasons for the stress.
Options Analysis:
A) Show him the project schedule and the work allocated to other team members: This option can be perceived as trying to justify that the allocation is fair or trying to prove that the team member shouldn’t be stressed. While sharing data and keeping transparency is important, directly showing him the schedule might be perceived as dismissive of his feelings and concerns.
B) Explain to him that he is working at 50% allocation so he should not feel stressed: This option can be seen as a more direct version of Option A. Telling someone how they should or shouldn’t feel is not usually effective or empathetic. By stating that he should not feel stressed because he has less workload might invalidate his feelings, which isn’t a constructive approach.
C) Arrange a training for this person for skill enhancement since he is slow: This option jumps to the conclusion that the team member is slow and thus needs training. It makes an assumption without listening to the team member’s perspective or understanding the underlying cause of the stress. Such an assumption might come off as judgmental.
D) Ask him to share more about what is making him stressed and explore what can be done: This is the most empathetic approach. It starts with listening and trying to understand the team member’s perspective. By asking the team member to share more, the project manager is acknowledging the team member’s feelings and opening up a dialogue. This aligns with the principles of emotional intelligence and the acknowledge-analyze-act approach, making it the best option among the given choices.
In conclusion, option D, Ask him to share more about what is making him stressed and explore what can be done. is the most suitable as it shows emotional intelligence, allows for understanding the underlying cause of the stress, and provides a basis for further constructive action.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 14 : Promote team performance through the application of emotional intelligence |
Topics Covered
- Team Performance Management
- Emotional Intelligence
- Active Listening
- Empathy
- Giving and Receiving Feedbacks
If you’re gearing up for the PMP Exam, we highly recommend enrolling in our PMP Exam prep program. Not only does it offer a comprehensive solution for exam preparation, but it also enhances your project management capabilities. Ensure success and skill development with our tailored program.
