Generally a good way for an administrator to retain the confidence of his subordinates is to:

• A. Make no promises unless they will be fulfilled.
• B. Say as little as possible.
• C. Make very infrequent checks on the work.
• D. Never hesitate in giving an answer to any question.

Answer: (A)

Trust from subordinates comes from reliability and integrity in leadership. By making promises only when you are certain you can fulfill them, you set clear, dependable expectations and show that you value others’ time and effort. When commitments are kept, people learn they can plan, rely on deadlines, and trust the leader’s word, which builds confidence and reduces anxiety. If circumstances change, communicating honestly about adjustments preserves that trust because it demonstrates transparency and accountability rather than empty assurances. In contrast, phrases like saying as little as possible, making infrequent checks, or giving answers without proper consideration tend to create uncertainty or lead to broken expectations, which erodes confidence.