Judgement Test Question 70 – An experienced director refuses to delegate

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Read the scenario and rate every action independently. Several actions can receive the same rating.

Practice level: Grade 7/Grade 6

Scenario

A director leading a critical programme insists on approving every decision and rewriting most team products. They work late and say the team has not yet shown the judgement needed to operate independently. Staff now wait several days for decisions and have stopped offering recommendations because they expect their work to be replaced. The programme is approaching a major deadline, and the director argues that relaxing control would create unacceptable quality risk. You line manage the director and need to improve pace without losing necessary assurance.

Rate the actions

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

Action A

Extend the deadline and allow the director to retain the current approval approach.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action B

Take several major decisions yourself until the deadline has passed.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action C

Agree clear decision thresholds and delegated areas, support staff to build capability and review both quality and decision time with the director each week.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action D

Tell the team to proceed without approval whenever delay threatens the deadline.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

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

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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