Judgement Test Question 8 – A supplier lead bypasses you to lobby senior leaders
Read the scenario and rate every action independently. Several actions can receive the same rating.
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Scenario
A supplier lead disputes your assessment that delivery performance is below the agreed standard. Instead of resolving the evidence with you, they repeatedly contact your Director General and describe you as obstructive. The Director General forwards the messages and asks you to settle the relationship because the supplier remains critical to a live service. Some of the supplier's points are reasonable, although their emails omit missed commitments and create pressure for the assessment to be softened. You need to restore direct dialogue without weakening accountability.
Rate the actions
For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.
Action A
Copy the Director General into every future exchange so the supplier cannot present a partial account.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action B
Tell the Director General that the supplier is acting in bad faith and recommend immediate penalties before another discussion takes place.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action C
Refuse further meetings until the supplier apologises for describing you as obstructive.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Action D
Meet the supplier lead, set out the evidence, hear their concerns and agree a clear route for escalation and a joint recovery discussion, then brief the Director General factually.
Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective
Click to reveal the answer
- Action A: Fairly Effective
- Action B: Counterproductive
- Action C: Ineffective
- Action D: Effective
Members can unlock the detailed explanation for all four actions, including why each response helps, falls short or makes the situation worse.
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