If an administrator finds out that he is disliked by the workers under his supervision, and that the situation is affecting the morale and the efficiency of the department, the best thing the administrator can do is to:

• A. take stock of oneself to determine if he or she is to blame
• B. loosen up on the discipline of the department
• C. ask the supervisor to talk to the workers
• D. supervise the workers more rigidly

Answer: (A)

When morale and efficiency are slipping, the essential move is to examine your own leadership behavior. Taking stock of how you interact with workers—your communication style, fairness and consistency, how you recognize good work, how you handle discipline, and whether you micromanage—allows you to see whether your own actions are contributing to the problem. By identifying and addressing personal shortcomings, you can rebuild trust, improve relations, and create a work environment that supports higher morale and productivity.

Loosening discipline tends to reduce structure and respect, which can further hamper performance. Asking a supervisor to talk to the workers shifts responsibility away from you and doesn’t address underlying behavior. Supervision that becomes more rigid can heighten tension and worsen morale. The most constructive first step is self-reflection and adjustment, then implementing changes that demonstrate fair, supportive leadership.