The chapters in this document are displayed in reversed order, with the last chapter
appearing first. This change ensures all chapters are included in the test bank. Ch 1 to 10 ✅
Developing Management Skills, 11e (Whetten)
Chapter 10 Leading Positive Change
1) Leaders are almost always the ones credited with being the cause of the success or failure of
the organization as a whole.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Leaders are given hero status when organizations succeed, but they become the
scapegoats when results are poor, similar to athletic coaches getting fired when players don't
perform.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
2) Recent research has found that it is useful to distinguish between leadership and management.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: In the past, management has been described as maintaining steadiness, controlling
variation, and refining current performance; and leadership has been defined as setting direction,
initiating change and creating something new. Recent research finds these distinctions no longer
appropriate or useful.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
3) Leadership is a permanent condition in which certain skills and competencies are inherent
within a person.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Quinn (2004) has reminded us that no person is a leader all of the time.
Leadership is a temporary condition in which certain skills and competencies are displayed.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
1
Copyright © 2026
,4) As the rapid rate of change in the world is expected to slow, it is important that leaders learn
to manage in stable conditions.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Most predict that the rate of change will escalate exponentially, so leaders must be
able to lead through uncertainty.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Ubiquitous and Escalating Change
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
5) Managers who recognize patterns and exceptions to patterns are able to manage change more
effectively than managers who do not recognize these things.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: In comparison, novices (and ineffective managers) need to pay attention to every
single detail as if it were the exception, since no pattern is available to guide their decision
making.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
6) Frameworks help to provide stability in the midst of constant change.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Frameworks give us a point of comparison and allow us to make judgments based
on the exceptions to the framework, rather than on each piece of constantly changing data.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
7) A manager who is trying to change an organization from being inefficient to being efficient is
trying to close an abundance gap.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: A manager who is trying to change an organization from being inefficient to being
efficient is trying to close a deficit gap. If the manager were trying to move the organization from
efficient to extraordinary, then he would be working to close an abundance gap.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
2
Copyright © 2026
,8) You know that managing change is a hot topic these days and you want to learn more about it.
Most of the research you find regarding this topic is focused on how to get organizations to
flourish and be extraordinarily positive.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Almost all research on organizational change has focused on how to ensure that
organizations can perform in the normal range, rather than towards positive deviance.
Diff: 3
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork; Application of knowledge
9) In the textbook, the terms "managing change" and "leading positive change" are used
interchangeably.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Leading positive change is different from simply leading ordinary change in an
organization.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
10) Research has found that positive occurrences are remembered longer than negative
occurrences.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Baumeister and associates (2001) pointed out that negative occurrences, bad
events, and disapproving feedback are more influential and longer-lasting in people than
positive, encouraging, and upbeat occurrences.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
3
Copyright © 2026
, 11) Currently, the department you manage is full of conflict. People seem to be picking sides
over a particular issue and they are becoming bitter toward people on the opposing side of the
issue. However, when the issue is resolved, some great results will come to the organization.
This is an example of how people tend to focus on the problems, challenges and negative parts of
an issue.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: People tend to focus more on the negative than positive phenomena, and for good
reason. Ignoring a negative threat could cost your life. However, in order to lead positive change,
managers must go against the grain.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork; Application of knowledge
12) To establish a climate of positivity requires paying attention to weaknesses and working to
eliminate them.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: To establish a climate of positivity requires attention to strengths and that which
brings out the best self.
Diff: 3
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
13) "How are we doing compared to our improvement trends of the past?" is a question that can
be asked to help set an "Ideal standard."
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: This is a question that can be asked to help set "Improvement standards."
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain how to create readiness for change.
Topic: Creating Readiness for Change
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
14) "How are we doing relative to our best competitors?" is a question that can be asked to help
set "Comparative standards."
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Comparative standards compare current performance to similar individuals or
organizations.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain how to create readiness for change.
Topic: Creating Readiness for Change
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
4
Copyright © 2026
appearing first. This change ensures all chapters are included in the test bank. Ch 1 to 10 ✅
Developing Management Skills, 11e (Whetten)
Chapter 10 Leading Positive Change
1) Leaders are almost always the ones credited with being the cause of the success or failure of
the organization as a whole.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Leaders are given hero status when organizations succeed, but they become the
scapegoats when results are poor, similar to athletic coaches getting fired when players don't
perform.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
2) Recent research has found that it is useful to distinguish between leadership and management.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: In the past, management has been described as maintaining steadiness, controlling
variation, and refining current performance; and leadership has been defined as setting direction,
initiating change and creating something new. Recent research finds these distinctions no longer
appropriate or useful.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
3) Leadership is a permanent condition in which certain skills and competencies are inherent
within a person.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Quinn (2004) has reminded us that no person is a leader all of the time.
Leadership is a temporary condition in which certain skills and competencies are displayed.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Introduction
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
1
Copyright © 2026
,4) As the rapid rate of change in the world is expected to slow, it is important that leaders learn
to manage in stable conditions.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Most predict that the rate of change will escalate exponentially, so leaders must be
able to lead through uncertainty.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: Ubiquitous and Escalating Change
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
5) Managers who recognize patterns and exceptions to patterns are able to manage change more
effectively than managers who do not recognize these things.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: In comparison, novices (and ineffective managers) need to pay attention to every
single detail as if it were the exception, since no pattern is available to guide their decision
making.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
6) Frameworks help to provide stability in the midst of constant change.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Frameworks give us a point of comparison and allow us to make judgments based
on the exceptions to the framework, rather than on each piece of constantly changing data.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
7) A manager who is trying to change an organization from being inefficient to being efficient is
trying to close an abundance gap.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: A manager who is trying to change an organization from being inefficient to being
efficient is trying to close a deficit gap. If the manager were trying to move the organization from
efficient to extraordinary, then he would be working to close an abundance gap.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
2
Copyright © 2026
,8) You know that managing change is a hot topic these days and you want to learn more about it.
Most of the research you find regarding this topic is focused on how to get organizations to
flourish and be extraordinarily positive.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Almost all research on organizational change has focused on how to ensure that
organizations can perform in the normal range, rather than towards positive deviance.
Diff: 3
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork; Application of knowledge
9) In the textbook, the terms "managing change" and "leading positive change" are used
interchangeably.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Leading positive change is different from simply leading ordinary change in an
organization.
Diff: 1
Learning Objective: 10.1 Explain a framework for leading positive change.
Topic: The Need for Frameworks
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
10) Research has found that positive occurrences are remembered longer than negative
occurrences.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Baumeister and associates (2001) pointed out that negative occurrences, bad
events, and disapproving feedback are more influential and longer-lasting in people than
positive, encouraging, and upbeat occurrences.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
3
Copyright © 2026
, 11) Currently, the department you manage is full of conflict. People seem to be picking sides
over a particular issue and they are becoming bitter toward people on the opposing side of the
issue. However, when the issue is resolved, some great results will come to the organization.
This is an example of how people tend to focus on the problems, challenges and negative parts of
an issue.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: People tend to focus more on the negative than positive phenomena, and for good
reason. Ignoring a negative threat could cost your life. However, in order to lead positive change,
managers must go against the grain.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Application
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork; Application of knowledge
12) To establish a climate of positivity requires paying attention to weaknesses and working to
eliminate them.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: To establish a climate of positivity requires attention to strengths and that which
brings out the best self.
Diff: 3
Learning Objective: 10.2 Explain how to create a conducive climate for positive change.
Topic: Establishing a Climate of Positivity
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
13) "How are we doing compared to our improvement trends of the past?" is a question that can
be asked to help set an "Ideal standard."
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: This is a question that can be asked to help set "Improvement standards."
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain how to create readiness for change.
Topic: Creating Readiness for Change
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
14) "How are we doing relative to our best competitors?" is a question that can be asked to help
set "Comparative standards."
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Comparative standards compare current performance to similar individuals or
organizations.
Diff: 2
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain how to create readiness for change.
Topic: Creating Readiness for Change
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork
4
Copyright © 2026
