After five years of success, a new employee proposes a change in procedure. What should the supervisor do?

• A. Tell the employee no changes are necessary
• B. Tell the employee that changes must be made by you
• C. Give careful consideration to the proposed change
• D. Make the change but hold the employee responsible if it works out badly

Answer: (C)

When a new idea is proposed after years of successful work, the supervisor should approach it with careful evaluation rather than rushing to approve or reject. Giving careful consideration means talking with the employee to understand the proposal, gathering relevant data, weighing the potential benefits against the costs and risks, and checking how the change would fit with current goals and procedures. If appropriate, suggest a pilot or trial, set clear metrics, and outline a plan before implementing. This thoughtful approach supports ongoing improvement while preserving stability and morale, and it shows measured leadership. Shutting down input immediately, insisting only the supervisor can make changes, or implementing something and blaming the employee for any problems skips essential analysis and fairness.