PMP · Question #187
A project manager has expertise in the technical domain. The project manager frequently demonstrates unacceptable behavior toward other team members; however, when confronted, the project manager deni
The correct answer is B. The project manager lacks emotional intelligence (EI).. The project manager's unacceptable behavior and denial of it, despite technical expertise, indicates a deficiency in emotional intelligence (EI), particularly in self-awareness and social awareness.
Question
A project manager has expertise in the technical domain. The project manager frequently demonstrates unacceptable behavior toward other team members; however, when confronted, the project manager denies this behavior. What is the reason for the project manager's behavior?
Options
- AThe project manager lacks necessary empathy.
- BThe project manager lacks emotional intelligence (EI).
- CThe project manager was not properly trained.
- DThe project manager is in the wrong project role.
How the community answered
(36 responses)- A17% (6)
- B72% (26)
- C8% (3)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
The project manager's unacceptable behavior and denial of it, despite technical expertise, indicates a deficiency in emotional intelligence (EI), particularly in self-awareness and social awareness.
While lacking empathy (a component of EI) is a contributing factor, emotional intelligence is a broader term that encompasses empathy along with other critical skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills.
Emotional intelligence (EI) encompasses the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as perceive and influence the emotions of others. A project manager who exhibits unacceptable behavior and denies it when confronted, despite technical expertise, demonstrates a lack of self-awareness regarding their impact on others and poor social skills, which are key components of emotional intelligence. This deficit affects team dynamics and leadership effectiveness.
Lack of proper training is a general reason, but emotional intelligence specifically addresses the behavioral and interpersonal aspects described, which aren't solely rectified by technical or process training.
While being in the wrong role could lead to stress, the specific manifestation of unacceptable behavior combined with denial points more directly to an EI deficiency rather than merely a role mismatch.
Concept tested: Emotional intelligence in project leadership
Topics
Community Discussion
8
Lena V.Dec 23, 2025B is correct. Emotional intelligence is exactly what the exam is testing here. The PM has technical skills but cannot self-assess or recognize how their behavior impacts others, which is a textbook EI gap. A is a trap because empathy is just one slice of EI, while the full scenario points to a broader inability to read the room and manage relationships.
Wesley A.Dec 25, 2025Same pick, B, and you are right that it is broader than empathy alone, but make sure you do not overthink it into C or D on exam day because those options dress up the same EI concept in leadership-coaching language that tripped me up on my first attempt.
Orla P.Dec 5, 2025Confirmed B on exam last month. A is tempting because empathy is part of EI, but the PMI mindset treats the full EI package as the answer since the question points to a pattern of not reading the room and then being oblivious when called out.
Wesley A.Dec 7, 2025Took me failing once to stop gravitating toward A on these EI questions, but I would add that if the stem mentions the team member being surprised by the feedback, that is your second confirmation that B is the full EI package and not just empathy.
Wei W.Dec 18, 2025I first leaned toward A because the lack of empathy seemed like a direct match for unacceptable behavior toward others. But the denial when confronted is the real giveaway, because someone with low emotional intelligence genuinely cannot read their own impact on people or self-reflect, which is why B is correct.
Ingrid P.Dec 12, 2025B is correct, but does lacking EI fully explain the denial aspect?
Wesley A.Nov 24, 2025Failed this one on my first attempt and honestly I leaned toward A because the unacceptable behavior and denial of it pointed to a lack of empathy in my mind. What clicked for me the second time around is that the question is really describing a broader failure to self-assess and manage relationships, which is the core of emotional intelligence. Empathy is just one slice of EI, and the denial piece is what nails it down because self-awareness is a key EI competency that this PM is clearly missing. Go with B and do not overthink it like I did the first time.
Orla P.Nov 27, 2025B is right and the denial angle is the real giveaway, but worth noting that self-regulation is also in play since the PM is not correcting the behavior after it gets called out.