All but one of the following are considered sound principles to follow in leading workers. The one which is not considered a sound principle is:

• A. Instilling confidence and competition among subordinates
• B. Taking prompt action on a decision once it is made
• C. Ignoring petty grievances and allowing them to work themselves out
• D. Creating a feeling of warmth between supervisor and subordinates

Answer: (C)

Effective leadership hinges on addressing workers' concerns, maintaining morale, and building trust. Instilling confidence and healthy competition among subordinates can motivate people to perform well while upholding standards. Taking prompt action on a decision once it’s made shows decisiveness and consistency, helping followers know what to expect and reducing uncertainty. Creating warmth between supervisor and subordinates builds rapport and open communication, which fosters cooperation and smoother problem-solving. Ignoring petty grievances and letting them work themselves out, however, undermines trust and morale; small issues can fester and escalate, leaving workers feeling unheard and reducing overall cooperation. For these reasons, ignoring petty grievances is not a sound leadership principle.