If you have an employee who is willing and tries hard but is consistently incompetent, what is the best course of action?

• A. Pay no attention to the case
• B. Report the case to superiors
• C. Continue to give regular work and call him down when he or she fails
• D. Encourage the employee by assigning light duties

Answer: (D)

When someone is willing and makes an effort but isn’t yet capable at full workload, the best move is to tailor tasks to their current ability while supporting their development. Assigning lighter duties lets them contribute without being set up for failure, which protects quality of work and morale. It also signals that you value their effort and are investing in their growth, creating a path for gradual improvement as skills build.

Ignoring the issue omits help for both the employee and the team. Reporting to superiors without a plan can be appropriate later, but it doesn’t directly support development. Asking them to keep working at the same pace and criticizing failures is demoralizing and likely ineffective. By contrast, lighter duties strike a constructive balance: they reduce risk, keep the employee engaged, and provide a foundation for rebuilding competence.