Multiple choice

You have joined as a Director in an important Ministry of the Government of India which is overseeing programmes worth several thousands of crores. On your first day you call a meeting of all subordinate officers and staff. Out of the two Under Secretaries, Mr. X and Mr. Y, the former did not attend the meeting. You also sense that the Section Officer, Mr. Z and Mr. Y, are not talking to each other and all other staff members appear demotivated. In the afternoon your boss, the Joint Secretary calls you and discusses a new project (worth thousands of crores of rupees) which is to be piloted by your division. You doubt that the existing team can handle the project. Under such circumstances you would

  1. Convey your first impression to your boss and request him not to undertake the project as your Division is not capable of handling it, or hand it over to some other Division

  2. Request him for transfer of both the Under Secretaries and the Section Officer, as there is a clear undercurrent of animosity between them which would be prejudicial to the new project, which would require good team work

  3. Accept the project and the team as it is as of now and see what best you can do to improve the situation

  4. Accept the project, but convey your impression about animosity and seek his intervention and guidance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

2.5 marks for Option (c) 2.0 marks for Option (d) 1 mark for Option (b) 0 marks for Option (a) Rationale/ Reasoning  Option (c) is the best course of action. On the very day of your joining when you know little about the work or the staff, it will be too premature to reject the handling of a big project (Option (a)) or recommend removal of staff/ officers (Option (b). Seeking guidance from superiors (Option (d)) is a good approach but your initial impression about animosity may be erroneous or premature. It would be proper to approach one’s superiors or seek their intervention when one has a better (if not complete) understanding of work, staff and the attendant problems. Principles/Value Tested Ability to withstand professional challenges and pressures

Keep practicing — related questions