Which supervisory attitude is most likely to result in subordinates trying to do as much work as possible for a supervisor?

Which supervisory attitude is most likely to result in subordinates trying to do as much work as possible for a supervisor?

• A. Threats and coercion
• B. Considers their abilities and needs while requiring production goals met
• C. Micromanagement
• D. Ignore feedback

Answer: (B)

Understanding how a supervisor’s attitude affects motivation and effort is key. When a supervisor recognizes and works with subordinates’ abilities and needs while still requiring production goals, employees feel valued and supported but know what is expected. This mix of respect, appropriate challenge, and clear targets boosts confidence, ownership, and willingness to go the extra mile, so subordinates are motivated to do as much work as possible to meet those goals. Threats and coercion can push people to comply in the short term but often breed fear and surface-level effort rather than genuine motivation. Micromanagement drains autonomy and trust, leading to frustration and reduced initiative. Ignoring feedback communicates that input isn’t valued, which lowers engagement and willingness to invest effort.

Understanding how a supervisor’s attitude affects motivation and effort is key. When a supervisor recognizes and works with subordinates’ abilities and needs while still requiring production goals, employees feel valued and supported but know what is expected. This mix of respect, appropriate challenge, and clear targets boosts confidence, ownership, and willingness to go the extra mile, so subordinates are motivated to do as much work as possible to meet those goals.

Threats and coercion can push people to comply in the short term but often breed fear and surface-level effort rather than genuine motivation. Micromanagement drains autonomy and trust, leading to frustration and reduced initiative. Ignoring feedback communicates that input isn’t valued, which lowers engagement and willingness to invest effort.