A newly promoted individual discovers that a subordinate with greater seniority resents him. How can he best win the respect and cooperation of the subordinate?

• A. Consulting with the subordinate on details with which the subordinate has had a lot of experience
• B. Making quick decisions and adhering to them
• C. Transferring the employee to new work in which he is not experienced
• D. Seeking social contracts with the employee and ignoring the resentment until it disappears

Answer: (A)

When a newly promoted supervisor faces a subordinate who resents the promotion due to seniority, the quickest way to win respect and cooperation is to tap into that subordinate’s experience by asking for their input on details they know well. This approach acknowledges their expertise, shows humility, and signals that leadership will be collaborative rather than authoritarian. By involving them in decisions about areas where they have real know-how, you reduce the threat they feel to their status, build trust, and give them a sense of ownership over the outcomes.

Rushing to decisions without input can create resistance, as it appears you value your own authority over their knowledge. Reassigning the employee to work in areas outside their experience can damage morale and trust, reinforcing the sense that you don’t value them. Trying to appease the subordinate with social arrangements while ignoring the underlying resentment avoids addressing the real issue and won’t produce lasting cooperation.