What kind of workplace do you have?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Statements explaining our mission, vision, and values are:

  • A.
    Not defined or even considered
  • B.
    Defined, but only known by a few people
  • C.
    Defined and known by many people
  • D.
    Clearly defined, and employees can explain how their work contributes to them
• 2.
  When it comes to goals and priorities:

  • A.
    Employees are briefed regularly on long-term goals, how they were determined, and how the impact short-term priorities.
  • B.
    Supervisors and employees can explain short-term goals and priorities.
  • C.
    Supervisors explain only emergency or rush priorities.
  • D.
    Senior managers might talk about these things, but employees don't know what they are.
• 3.
  Senior managers:

  • A.
    Occasionally present to employees in formal meetings.
  • B.
    Have nothing to hide. They host regular events to share both good and bad news.
  • C.
    Know only the people in their immediate area and almost never meet with employees.
  • D.
    Are connected with employees and walk around to stay in touch.
• 4.
  Information that I get is:

  • A.
    Plentiful and overwhelming.
  • B.
    Organized in a way that the right information is easy to get.
  • C.
    From my supervisor or through the rumor mill.
  • D.
    Uneven and usually in writing, as official communication.
• 5.
  Employees meet with their supervisors:

  • A.
    Once in a while, mainly to get instructions or get problems solved.
  • B.
    Rarely or only when problems come up.
  • C.
    Regularly - to talk about ideas and ask questions.
  • D.
    Frequently and have mutually beneficial conversations.
• 6.
  When employees have opinions or ideas for improvement:

  • A.
    They are rewarded for challenging the way we do things and encouraged to explore their ideas further.
  • B.
    They share the ideas with their supervisors who determine how to proceed.
  • C.
    They do not share them. In fact, initiative may have been punished in the past.
  • D.
    The idea is added to an already long list of things to do.
• 7.
  Problems are solved:

  • A.
    By team members who work collaboratively, in structured ways to solve and prevent problems.
  • B.
    By many people working on teams, task forces, and in cross-functional groups.
  • C.
    By direct supervisors who take care of problems, in order to maintain harmony in their groups.
  • D.
    By senior managers with little or no input from employees.
• 8.
  Disagreements or conflict are:

  • A.
    Ignored or suppressed.
  • B.
    Discouraged. Mistakes result in finger-pointing.
  • C.
    Openly expressed. We talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  • D.
    Viewed as healthy differences and used to improve our workplace.
• 9.
  Employees:

  • A.
    Have little authority to make decisions.
  • B.
    Have freedom to make decisions based on established guidelines.
  • C.
    Can make some decisions but have to check with their supervisors.
  • D.
    Have freedom to make decisions, but few guidelines or support exist for making good decisions.
• 10.
  When it comes to trust:

  • A.
    Employees have little trust in management or co-workers. They don't feel trusted by others either.
  • B.
    Employees may trust their immediate supervisors and co-workers, but aren't so sure about other managers or departments.
  • C.
    Employees and managers respect one another's knowledge and skills.
  • D.
    We have an environment of trust. Team members at various levels have confidence in one another.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Defensive Workplace

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  It might feel hopeless right now as it seems like you have no authority to do anything. But know you have the power to create a workplace you love. One small breakthrough at a time will help others have confidence in you as someone who can make changes happen.
• 2.
  Paternalistic Workplace

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  This workplace is more common than you think. Leaders try to protect or take care of employees, rather than engaging them in true problem solving. Although it seems to the outside world that you're one big, happy family, you know that there's lots of room for improvement.
• 3.
  Open Workplace

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  Most days, this seems pretty good. You're informed, involved, and most likely, juggling a lot of balls every day. This can be energizing at times, while draining and stressful at others. You just need a little fine tuning to create a workplace you love.
• 4.
  Collaborative Workplace

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  Congratulations! You have many of the elements of a dream workplace already in place. How can you inspire other teams within your organization to be more collaborative?