If an administrator must use authority to obtain acceptance of an idea, what is the most probable reason?

• A. subordinates have little respect for a supervisor who fails to use authority
• B. the idea may not warrant acceptance on its own merit
• C. the introduction of new ideas is solely the administrator's responsibility
• D. discipline depends upon subordinates' recognition of the supervisor's absolute authority

Answer: (B)

Acceptance should come from the idea’s own merit. If an administrator has to rely on authority to win agreement, it usually means the idea isn’t strong enough on its own to persuade others through evidence, benefits, or reasoning. Authority can compel compliance, but it doesn’t generate genuine buy-in or good long-term support, and it signals that the proposal may not stand up to scrutiny without coercion.

This isn’t primarily about subordinates’ respect, nor about introducing ideas being the administrator’s sole job, nor about discipline tied to an authority figure. Those aspects can be related, but the core reason for needing authority to gain acceptance is a lack of merit-based justification for the idea.