Of the following, the most valid statement dealing with the relations between supervisors and subordinates in a department is that:

• A. Defend the acts of subordinates against criticism.
• B. Never enforce these details upon workers without orders from a superior.
• C. Preface reading with some explanatory remarks.
• D. Assign the most difficult tasks to the workers with the least service to test their ability.

Answer: (C)

In supervisory relationships, setting the stage with clear, purposeful communication is essential. When a supervisor begins a reading or a briefing by adding explanatory remarks, they provide context: why the material matters, what the key points are, and how it links to the team's tasks and goals. This framing helps subordinates understand the relevance, anticipate questions, and focus on the important aspects, which leads to better comprehension and execution.

That’s why prefacing reading with some explanatory remarks stands out. It actively guides understanding, aligns expectations, and builds a shared purpose between supervisor and subordinates. By contrast, defending subordinates against criticism can erode accountability; never enforcing details from a superior implies a lack of needed direction; and assigning the most difficult tasks to those with the least service is unfair and counterproductive.