PMP · Question #931
A project manager has noticed that a specific team member rarely contributes or shares opinions during team discussions. However, the team member is effective at delivering assigned tasks on time…
The correct answer is A. Engage with the team member, let them know their strengths, and encourage them to share. The project manager should directly communicate with the team member, acknowledging their strengths and encouraging their participation in discussions. This approach fosters a supportive environment for the team member to contribute more openly.
Question
A project manager has noticed that a specific team member rarely contributes or shares opinions during team discussions. However, the team member is effective at delivering assigned tasks on time. How can the project manager leverage this?
Options
- AEngage with the team member, let them know their strengths, and encourage them to share
- BMeet with the team member prior to meetings and share their thoughts with others so everyone
- CPair this team member with a more outspoken team member so their voice can be heard more.
- DEnsure the team member is assigned critical path tasks to meet the schedule.
How the community answered
(39 responses)- A74% (29)
- B3% (1)
- C10% (4)
- D13% (5)
Why each option
The project manager should directly communicate with the team member, acknowledging their strengths and encouraging their participation in discussions. This approach fosters a supportive environment for the team member to contribute more openly.
Engaging directly with the team member allows the project manager to understand their communication style and encourage participation without putting them on the spot. This leverages the team member's existing effectiveness by helping them translate individual contribution into team discussion value.
Meeting privately and sharing their thoughts through the PM can make the team member feel undervalued or that their voice isn't directly heard by the team.
Pairing the team member with a more outspoken person might not directly address the root cause of their limited participation and could still lead to their ideas being overshadowed.
Assigning critical path tasks relates to task management, not to improving team discussion contributions, and doesn't address the core issue of their lack of participation.
Concept tested: Encouraging team member participation and communication
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Bao N.Nov 25, 2025Confirmed A on multiple practice sets. The key here is the PMI emphasis on direct engagement and servant leadership: you talk to the person, reinforce what they do well, and encourage participation. B is tempting because it sounds proactive but it basically puts words in their mouth, and C outsources the problem to another team member instead of addressing it. D ignores the actual issue, which is team involvement, not task delivery.
Wesley A.Nov 29, 2025A is correct. D tempted me first try since the tasks are always on time but that misses the point.
Yuki V.Dec 2, 2025Confirmed A on my exam. Servant leadership means pulling quiet contributors into the conversation.
Bao N.Dec 4, 2025Good call, and the key is it is about creating the space for them to speak, not speaking for them, so watch for answer choices that cross over into directing or deciding for the team.