What principle of proper supervisory relationship to subordinates is suggested by the old saying 'Twice I did well, and that I heard never, Once I did ill, and that I heard ever'?

• A. To make a continuous fuss over a fault or error
• B. To give credit when due
• C. To make an example of an inefficient worker
• D. To use the inefficient as instruments to spur the efficient to greater effort

Answer: (B)

The main idea is recognizing and rewarding good work. The saying shows that praise for doing well often goes unspoken, while mistakes are quickly noticed and repeated. As a supervisor, you should counter that tendency by actively giving credit when due, reinforcing the behavior you want to see and boosting morale. This positive reinforcement helps subordinates feel valued and encourages continued good performance.

The other approaches focus on fault-finding, public shaming, or using weak performers to pressure strong ones, which clashes with the idea of reinforcing what’s done well and maintaining motivation through constructive recognition.