Workplace Influence Type Quiz

1. I feel my suggestions are taken seriously and that I am given the resources I need to succeed.

Yes

No - I don't speak up often in manager settings

No - I don't have resources and am not generally appreciated by my boss

2. I am able to meet my job requirements and complete projects that are assigned to me and my team.

Yes, I generally exceed my deadlines and come in under cost estimates

Yes, but sometimes I need to request additional resources or time

No, unfortunately I don't have the right talent on my team at the moment

No, the expectations of my supervisory exceed the limited resources and tools I have

3. I am generally the best at what I do.

Yes, especially among my peers

Yes, that's why I was given leadership over my team

I think there are a number of talented people around me and on my team.

Yes, and my boss gives me extra leeway to do what I need to do.

Yes, and my team appreciates my expertise and comes to me for advice

I'm not the best, but I'm effective

I'm not the best, but I have the best team working for me.

4. That TV show called "The Office" that's my workplace.

Yes - because I have a boss that is totally incompetent

Yes - because my peers spend way too much time doing non-work things

Yes - because my subordinates don't support me

No

I don't know, I don't really pay that much attention to the work environment

I've never heard of that TV show.

5. I often wonder what my boss (supervisor) is thinking or planning.

Yes, they do not communicate well or often

Yes, I would rather just avoid asking

No, my supervisor communicates well

Yes, because I am driving the work, not my boss

No, they micro-manage way too much

6. In general, workers do not want to work, they must be motivated through rewards and discipline.

Yes, I totally agree

Yes, but I rarely find myself needing to discipline anyone

I disagree, people generally want to work and want to be successful

Yes, and it is best to start by being demanding because it is easier to loosen up than to have to increase disciplinary measures.

Workers need discipline and rewards, but not because they do not want to work, usually they just need to understand the bigger picture.

7. I am able to relax around my peers at work

Yes, and I regularly confide in them, or ask their opinions

Yes, we do a lot of social activities together

Yes, though we probably gossip a little too much about our subordinates or bosses.

I really don't know them that well

No, but there is no tension or competitive feelings

No, I simply don't trust them

No, one of my peers (or more) has actively tried to sabotage me.

8. The best way to succeed at work is to empower the team working for you.

Yes, I totally agree

Yes, as long as you don't become too socially engaged or "familiar"

This is one key to being successful at work, not necessarily the best

Yes, and then you need to protect them from supervisors or other departments

No, the best way to succeed is to make sure they're doing their job well.

9. I find myself having to repeat myself in order to get what I need or want.

Yes, my subordinates need a lot of attention and direction

Yes, I have to fight for resources and time from supervisors

No, I generally get what I want out of my team

No, I generally get what I need from my peers or superiors

Even asking multiple times doesn't work, nobody listens to me and sometimes they forget to include me in meetings or discussions.

10. When people want the truth, or need help, they come to me for the answers.

Yes, not because of office politics, but because I make myself available and am willing to help.

Yes, I'm the one stop shop for getting things done.

Not for resources, but I always know what's going on in the office.

Not for gossip, but I can get things done.

No

No, in fact, my supervisor's open door policy has cut me off from my team

11. I'm the one in the organization that gets stuck with all the problems.

Yes, because I'm the only one that can solve them

Yes, because everyone else is dysfunctional

I get my fair share, but I'm not the only one.

No, I make sure that I and my team get the best projects

No, in order to succeed, you need to be involved in useful high visibility projects, I leave the rest for others.

Yes, I and my team are constantly having to pick up the worst jobs, or fix things

12. Change is good and it is necessary to remain competitive.

No, change for the sake of change is ineffective

Yes, I totally agree

Change may be good, but not the kind we experience in our work environment

Change is overrated. We should be regularly improving to limit the need for big "changes"

Change means the boss is back and probably bored

13. The role of supervisors is primarily to provide vision and resources for the organization.

Yes - totally agree

Yes, and to resolve conflict when it arises

No, supervisors need to be the best and most effective at the jobs they supervise.

Yes, and they need to get out of the way of those that are doing the real work.

14. Peer relationships are most important for ....

Enjoying all the time you have to spend at work.

Getting the resources you need to do your job

They really aren't that important

For knowing who your competition is for promotion and rewards

For knowing what people are really saying about you.

15. Work is work ... that's why it's called work.

Yes, totally agree

No, work needs to have some fun in it because we spend so much time there

No, if you hate your job, get out of it, you should only do what you enjoy

Yes, it won't be any better anywhere else, so best to keep your head down

Work is work, but that doesn't mean it can't also be enjoyable. A positive workplace environment is critical to productivity and success.

16. At work I would be better off if...

My supervisors all went on vacation, they just slow me and my team down.

My peers would quit socializing and get back to work.

My team would understand how important their work is to my career

I think I'm doing fine the way things are.

My boss would get off my back and be more realistic

I had a different job, or worked somewhere else

17. I have a best friend at work.

Yes

No

18. I would rate my current relationship with my boss (and/or other supervisors):

Excellent: They love me and regularly offer praise for my work

Effective: I don't have any problems of which I'm aware and I receive positive reviews

Neutral: We're not friends or enemies, I just don't interact too much.

Negative: My supervisor and I generally don't see eye to eye.

19. I have succesfully helped one of my subordinates (or more) reach a personal goal (or work toward achieving a goal) within the last 30 days.

No - they have not expressed interest

No - we are way too busy

Yes

20. I am socially engaged with peers, we go to lunch together or will meet after work or on weekends.

Yes - but not too frequently

Yes - my work peers are my friends

No - I don't know any of them well enough

No - I don't get along with any of my peers

Workplace INFLuence Type Quiz