As the division chief, which policy is best when moving away from rigid controls to allow staff participation?

• A. Continue to exercise the same rigid controls over the work and the workers in the division since they are accustomed to this type of supervision
• B. Discard all strict controls immediately and give the individual employees complete freedom in determining how to carry out their assignments
• C. Develop among your staff a personal loyalty to you which will cause them to think of your reaction before departing from established procedure
• D. Remove gradually the controls you consider too strict and provide opportunities for your staff to participate in formulating work plans and procedures

Answer: (D)

Shifting from strict control to staff participation works best when you loosen controls gradually while inviting employees to help shape how work is done. This approach builds ownership, clarifies expectations, and keeps accountability as procedures are updated. By removing overly strict controls step by step and allowing staff to contribute to formulating work plans and procedures, you create a collaborative environment where people understand the reasons for rules and feel empowered to improve them, which improves buy-in and performance.

Continuing rigid controls maintains the old dynamic and stifles initiative. Giving complete freedom without any structure risks inconsistency and unclear accountability. Looking to secure personal loyalty is inappropriate because it substitutes allegiance for objective judgment, undermining fair decision-making and reliable results.