Work Strengths Test Question 64 – Clarifying a policy that is causing delays

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Read the scenario and rate every action independently. More than one action can receive the same rating.

Test part: Part 2: Effectiveness ratings
Level: Higher Executive Officer / Senior Executive Officer
Strength pair: Explainer / Influencer
Practice focus: Explainer
Difficulty: Easy

Scenario

Local managers are interpreting a new policy note as requiring senior approval for routine decisions. Approval queues are growing, although the note was intended to give managers more discretion within clear limits. The wording is technically accurate but dense, and different teams have highlighted different sections. You need to restore consistent decision-making without changing the policy itself.

Rate the actions

For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.

Action A

Resend the original note with the sentence about manager discretion highlighted.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action B

Tell managers to use their judgement because no policy can describe every routine decision.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action C

Issue a plain-language clarification with examples, decision boundaries and a route for unusual cases, then brief managers on the change.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action D

Tell managers that the note is clear and that further approval requests will be treated as a performance issue.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Click to reveal the answer
  • Action A: Fairly Effective
  • Action B: Ineffective
  • Action C: Effective
  • Action D: Counterproductive

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