During a major IT infrastructure upgrade, a group of long-tenured network engineers is resisting the change because they believe the new system will make their skills obsolete. The project sponsor wants to mitigate this resistance. Which technique is most likely to gain their buy-in?

Offer early retirement packages to encourage voluntary departure.

Explain that the change is mandatory and non-negotiable, and expect them to comply.

Involve the engineers in the design and implementation planning, and provide training on the new technology.

Reassign the engineers to other projects until the upgrade is complete.

A new manager is assigned to lead a team that is highly skilled but demoralized after a failed project. The manager needs to rebuild confidence and motivate the team to take on a new challenging initiative. Which leadership style is most appropriate?

Autocratic leadership, by making all decisions and directing the team step-by-step.

Transformational leadership, by articulating an inspiring vision and showing confidence in the team's abilities.

Transactional leadership, by setting clear goals and offering rewards for meeting them.

Laissez-faire leadership, by giving the team complete freedom to decide how to proceed.

A security leader is planning a major restructuring that will eliminate several middle-management positions. The leader has a responsibility to the organization's efficiency and to the affected employees. Which action best balances ethical responsibility with organizational needs?

Communicate the restructuring early, provide outplacement support, and involve affected managers in the transition planning.

Focus solely on the organizational benefits and communicate the change as a business necessity without discussing employee impact.

Keep the restructuring confidential until the last moment to avoid disruption and productivity loss.

Offer generous severance packages but require immediate departure to minimize transition risk.

What is a key ethical responsibility of a leader when planning organizational change?

Prioritizing speed over stakeholder concerns

Making decisions solely based on personal gain

Withholding negative information to protect morale

Communicating honestly about the impact of the change

During a major identity management overhaul, a group of long-tenured employees is resisting because they fear losing access to systems they have used for years. They also worry that the new system will make their jobs harder. What is the most effective technique to mitigate this resistance?

Ignore the resistance and proceed with the implementation as planned, assuming they will adapt over time.

Offer early retirement packages to all employees who express resistance.

Threaten disciplinary action if they do not comply with the new system.

Involve the resistant employees in pilot testing and provide them with a direct channel to voice concerns and suggest improvements.

GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership

Domain 1Objective 2

Leadership & Change GSTRT Practice Questions (Page 8)

Part of the Leadership and Communication domain, which makes up ~29% of our current practice bank. GIAC (SANS) does not publish an official question count, but from its 180-minute exam (~70–120 total, ~20–35 in this domain), expect 10–18 from this objective — we provide 49 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

49questions here

10free pages

6concepts

Questions 36–40

36application · medium
During a major IT infrastructure upgrade, a group of long-tenured network engineers is resisting the change because they believe the new system will make their skills obsolete. The project sponsor wants to mitigate this resistance. Which technique is most likely to gain their buy-in?
Select an answer first
37application · medium
A new manager is assigned to lead a team that is highly skilled but demoralized after a failed project. The manager needs to rebuild confidence and motivate the team to take on a new challenging initiative. Which leadership style is most appropriate?
Select an answer first
38expert · hard
A security leader is planning a major restructuring that will eliminate several middle-management positions. The leader has a responsibility to the organization's efficiency and to the affected employees. Which action best balances ethical responsibility with organizational needs?
Select an answer first
39foundation · easy
What is a key ethical responsibility of a leader when planning organizational change?
Select an answer first
40application · medium
During a major identity management overhaul, a group of long-tenured employees is resisting because they fear losing access to systems they have used for years. They also worry that the new system will make their jobs harder. What is the most effective technique to mitigate this resistance?
Select an answer first

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