Communication & Leadership Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real STP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication & Leadership Skills flashcards as text
Which communication barrier is most likely to arise when a scientist collaborates with a colleague from a different cultural background?
Answer: Variation in communication styles, directness norms, and non-verbal cues
Cultural variation in directness, non-verbal signals, and communication norms is a primary source of misunderstanding in cross-cultural scientific collaboration.
A delegated task is returned with poor quality work. What does this suggest about the delegation process?
Answer: The task was likely insufficiently briefed or the delegate lacked the required support
Poor output after delegation typically reflects a gap in briefing, resources, or ongoing support rather than solely the delegate's capability.
What is 'psychological safety' within a scientific team context?
Answer: A team culture where members feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear
Psychological safety, as defined by Amy Edmondson, is a team climate where interpersonal risk-taking—such as raising concerns—is not punished.
When writing a scientific abstract for a general audience, which of the following should be avoided?
Answer: Using unexplained technical acronyms and specialist jargon
Unexplained technical jargon excludes non-specialist readers; effective public abstracts translate findings into accessible language.
In a leadership context, what does 'situational leadership' (Hersey & Blanchard) propose?
Answer: The most effective leadership style adapts to the competence and commitment level of the individual
Situational leadership holds that effective leaders flex their style between directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating based on the follower's development level.
A scientist receives critical peer review feedback on a submitted manuscript. What is the most professionally appropriate response?
Answer: Consider each comment objectively, revise accordingly, and provide a detailed, respectful rebuttal
Objective engagement with reviewer comments, followed by transparent revision and a respectful rebuttal, reflects scientific maturity and strengthens the publication.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates 'upward communication' in a healthcare science organisation?
Answer: A laboratory scientist reporting a near-miss incident to their line manager
Upward communication flows from lower to higher organisational levels, such as a scientist reporting an incident to their line manager.