Which role would you assign to someone who maintains relationships with external partners?

• A. Liaison
• B. Spokesperson
• C. Leader
• D. Monitor

Answer: (A)

Maintaining relationships with external partners is a boundary-spanning, relationship-building activity. The liaison role is all about keeping those external links open, acting as a bridge between the organization and outside parties, coordinating communications, and ensuring smooth collaboration and information flow. This person routinely engages with partners, negotiates, and helps align goals across organizational borders, which is exactly what “maintaining relationships with external partners” requires.

Spokesperson focuses on presenting the organization’s views to the outside world, often through media or public statements, rather than sustaining ongoing partnerships. Leader is about guiding and motivating internal teams, and Monitor is about gathering information from the environment. So the liaison best fits the task of maintaining external partnerships.