Indian Institute of Technology Madras
BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper
BSGN3001 · Strategies for Professional Growth
End Term · 13 Apr 2025 (Afternoon)
Examination Instructions & Guidelines
- Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
- MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
- Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
- Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.
- Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Teams] A cross-functional team is working on optimizing customer retention for an e-commerce platform. Ravi, the data engineer, focuses on ensuring clean and structured data pipelines, while Meera, the data scientist, develops predictive models to identify at-risk customers. Meanwhile, Kiran from the marketing team interprets insights to craft targeted engagement strategies. By integrating their diverse expertise, the team creates a data-driven retention strategy that improves customer loyalty and business performance—an outcome none of them could have achieved alone. [Teams] What concept best explains the team's success?
- AShared expertise
- BSynergy
- CRole clarity
- DTeam management
- Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Listening] During a high-stakes product strategy meeting, team lead Amogh actively nods, rephrases key points for clarity, and asks thoughtful questions to ensure alignment. He maintains consistent eye contact, allows speakers to finish without interruption, and reflects on feedback before responding. As a result, his team members feel acknowledged and engaged in the decision-making process. [Listening] What type of listening is Amogh demonstrating?
- APassive Listening
- BSuperficial Listening
- CActive Listening
- DCritical Listening
- Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Spheres of Responsibility] Raj focuses his time on building new skills and expanding his professional network rather than stressing over industry-wide layoffs. [Spheres of Responsibility] Which sphere is Raj focusing on?
- ASphere of Concern
- BSphere of Control
- CSphere of Influence
- DNone of these
- Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Leadership] In a fast-growing fintech startup, Raghav ensures the operations team follows structured protocols, meets deadlines, and maintains compliance. His primary goal was to administer tasks effectively and keep the team aligned with existing workflows. On the other hand, Kavya, leading the product innovation team, focuses on inspiring her teammates, encouraging experimentation, and innovation. She regularly mentors individuals to help them reach their potential, even beyond their current roles. [Leadership] What best describes the difference between the two approaches?
- ARaghav shows leadership, Kavya shows management
- BRaghav shows management, Kavya shows leadership
- CBoth show transactional leadership
- DBoth focus on administrative control
- Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Emotional intelligence is critical in leadership and teamwork. Which of the following best defines Emotional Intelligence?
- AAbility to stay happy at all times
- BAbility to understand and manage emotions and social interactions
- CSkill of influencing others emotions
- DPersonality trait that determines how naturally empathetic a person is
- Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Prashant is conscious of his emotions, while Ananyaa senses how others feel and responds accordingly. Which EI constructs do they reflect respectively?
- AMotivation and empathy
- BSelf-awareness and empathy
- CSelf-regulation and social skills
- DEmpathy and social awareness
Read the passage below, then answer Q7–Q10
[Cross-cultural Strategies] Organizations, teams, and individuals navigate cross-cultural dynamics using distinct strategies to manage differences in values, work styles, and decision-making. These strategies influence collaboration, integration, and overall effectiveness in multicultural environments. In the following scenarios, identify the cultural approach being used from the options below (order may vary):
a. Cultural Dominance
b. Cultural Avoidance
c. Cultural Compromise
d. Cultural Accommodation
e. Cultural Synergy
Analyze each scenario carefully to determine which cultural strategy is best being applied. Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option[Cross-cultural Strategies] At a global consulting firm, senior leadership mandates that everyone follow the corporate etiquette of the parent country, ignoring local customs in international offices. Which cross-cultural strategy is the firm following?
- ACultural Accommodation
- BCultural Synergy
- CCultural Compromise
- DCultural Dominance
- ECultural Avoidance
- Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Strategies] Soumya, an Indian professional, working in South Korea, finds indirect communication confusing but continues being direct, as though there are no differences. What cultural approach is she demonstrating?
- ACultural Avoidance
- BCultural Synergy
- CCultural Dominance
- DCultural Compromise
- ECultural Accommodation
- Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Strategies] Sayed, an Indian software developer, moves to Germany for work. In India, he was used to flexible work hours, but in Germany, punctuality is strictly observed. Instead of fully adapting to the German work style or expecting flexibility, Sayed and his team agree on a middle ground—he adheres to strict work timings during core hours but is allowed flexibility when working remotely. Which cultural approach is Sayed demonstrating?
- ACultural Avoidance
- BCultural Compromise
- CCultural Synergy
- DCultural Dominance
- ECultural Accommodation
- Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
[Cross-cultural Strategies] Harshil integrates fully with his team’s preference for precision and punctuality, without bringing in his prior flexible style. Which approach is he using?
- ACultural Compromise
- BCultural Accommodation
- CCultural Dominance
- DCultural Avoidance
- ECultural Synergy
- Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Shruti was nervous about leading a client workshop but pushed herself to do it, learned from the experience, and grew confident. Which phase of the Four Zones of Growth model does this represent?
- AComfort to Fear Zone only
- BFear to Learning Zone
- CDirect entry into Growth Zone
- DStaying in Comfort Zone
- Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In a fast-paced corporate environment, different employees respond to challenges in unique ways. Which of the following scenarios DOES NOT demonstrate a Growth Mindset?
- ASurya, a UX designer, struggles with a new tool but remains optimistic, saying, “If I keep practicing regularly, I’ll get better at this.”
- BRishabh, a sales lead, faces repeated rejections but reflects, “Every rejection is a lesson. I’ll analyze my mistakes and improve my pitch.”
- CIndranil, a senior developer, actively seeks feedback from colleagues, believing, “The more I learn from others, the better I become.”
- DRashmi, a marketing executive, feels demotivated after a campaign failure and sighs, “I’m just not cut out for this. Some people are naturally good at marketing, and I’m not one of them.”
- Q13MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Leela praises her team’s efforts regardless of outcome and avoids giving constructive feedback. What growth mindset type does this reflect?
- AScarcity Mindset
- BFalse Growth Mindset
- CPositive Mindset
- DLearning Culture
Read the passage below, then answer Q14–Q16
[Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs] Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs explains how motivation progresses from basic survival to self-actualization. While lacking strong empirical evidence, it remains useful for identifying barriers to career growth and shaping workplace policies that support employees at different stages, driving higher performance and productivity.
Read the given workplace scenarios and identify which level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs best apply to each situation.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one optionMurthy recently moved to a new city to start his first job. While he was eager to begin his career, the excitement quickly gave way to long work hours. With a modest salary and rising living costs, he found himself constantly worried about paying rent, managing bills, and affording basic meals. The financial pressure began to take a toll on his focus and productivity at work. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy is Murthy striving for?
- ASocial Needs
- BPhysiological Needs
- CEsteem Needs
- DSelf-actualization
- Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Salma has everything but still wants to become a motivational speaker and inspire change. Which need is she pursuing?
- ASelf-actualization
- BEsteem
- CSocial
- DSafety
- Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Anand feels isolated at work and unappreciated by his team. Which needs are unfulfilled?
- ASocial
- BSelf-actualization
- CPhysiological
- DEsteem
- Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
What does Systems Thinking emphasize?
- AInterconnectedness of elements
- BIndependent processes
- CIndividual fault finding
- DTask breakdown only
- Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
What differentiates a heap from a system?
- ASystems have purpose; heaps don’t
- BSystems and heaps are equal
- CHeaps are more organized
- DHeaps are interconnected elements
Read the passage below, then answer Q19–Q20
[Principles & Archetypes] Systems thinking principles and archetypes reveal recurring patterns in complex systems, making their understanding essential for leaders and strategists to effectively navigate and solve dynamic challenges.
Read the given scenarios and identify which principle or archetype best applies to each situation. Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one optionIn product design, Akriti asks her team to align every decision with customer needs and business strategy, not just fix bugs. Which principle is she using?
- ACause-effect Loops
- BBig Picture Thinking
- CProcess Mapping
- DNarrow Focus
- Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Teams in a company blame different issues for a drop in performance, while leaders see only one big cause. Which principle does this illustrate?
- ASystem Boundaries
- BElephant and the Blind Men
- CCausal Loops
- DBig Picture Thinking