PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Your project team is experiencing low morale due to unclear roles and responsibilities. As a project manager using a servant leadership approach, which THREE actions would BEST address this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often mistake directive actions (like assigning roles or increasing supervision) as efficient solutions, but the PMP exam emphasizes that servant leadership requires facilitating team autonomy and collaboration rather than controlling outcomes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Organize team-building activities to improve trust and communication
Option B is correct because servant leadership prioritizes team well-being and relationships, and team-building activities directly improve trust and communication, which are root causes of low morale from unclear roles. Option D is correct because servant leadership emphasizes empowering team members; letting them define roles based on strengths increases ownership, engagement, and clarity while aligning with servant leadership principles. Option E is correct because facilitating a team charter workshop collaboratively clarifies roles and responsibilities, a core servant leadership practice of enabling the team to establish shared norms and expectations. Option A is not correct because assigning roles unilaterally is directive and contradicts servant leadership's empowerment and collaboration. Option C is not correct because increasing supervision and daily status meetings adds control and micromanagement, which can worsen morale and does not align with servant leadership.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Assign roles and responsibilities yourself to avoid confusion
Why it's wrong here
While direct assignment might seem efficient, it contradicts modern project management principles, particularly servant leadership and agile methodologies that emphasize team self-organization. Dictating roles without team input can lead to reduced morale, lack of ownership, and disengagement, as team members feel undervalued and their expertise is not leveraged. This approach stifles initiative and prevents the team from collectively developing a shared understanding and commitment to their responsibilities.
- ✓
Organize team-building activities to improve trust and communication
Why this is correct
Team-building activities are a highly effective strategy for addressing low morale and improving team dynamics, which often contribute to role ambiguity. By fostering informal interactions and shared experiences, these activities enhance interpersonal trust, improve communication channels, and strengthen team cohesion. This improved relational foundation enables team members to more comfortably discuss and clarify their roles and responsibilities, leading to better collaboration and a more positive work environment.
- ✗
Increase supervision and hold daily status meetings
Why it's wrong here
Increasing supervision and mandating daily status meetings in response to low morale and unclear roles is generally counterproductive and often perceived as micromanagement. This approach signals a lack of trust in the team's capabilities and autonomy, further eroding morale and potentially increasing stress rather than resolving the underlying issues of role clarity or engagement. Effective project managers empower teams, providing support and removing impediments, rather than imposing stricter controls that stifle initiative.
- ✓
Empower team members to define their own roles based on strengths
Why this is correct
Empowering team members to collaboratively define their own roles and responsibilities, leveraging individual strengths and preferences, is a powerful strategy for boosting morale and clarifying expectations. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, as individuals are more committed to roles they have helped shape. It also capitalizes on the team's collective intelligence and expertise, ensuring that responsibilities are allocated effectively and align with individual capabilities, thereby increasing motivation and engagement.
- ✓
Facilitate a team charter workshop to clarify roles and responsibilities
Why this is correct
Facilitating a dedicated team charter workshop is a structured and highly effective method for proactively addressing unclear roles and responsibilities, which directly impacts team morale. During this collaborative session, the team collectively defines its purpose, goals, values, communication protocols, and, critically, individual roles and responsibilities. This shared creation process ensures mutual understanding, commitment, and alignment, providing a clear reference point that reduces ambiguity and fosters a cohesive, high-performing environment.
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