Multiple choice

Your have been appointed the Divisional Railway Manager of Mughalsarai Division of the Indian Railways. You are the administrative head of over 75 officers and 2000 staff of 10 different departments. You observe that there is a silent under-current of hostility between the five departments which are directly engaged in train operations. The officers of one department try to outsmart, find fault in and do not co-operate with officers of other departments. Which of the following measures would you consider most appropriate for amending this situation?

  1. Call a meeting of all officers and hint that lack of cooperation is adversely affecting the Division’s performance and hope that officers would be wise enough to understand what you are saying

  2. Confront the officers directly and ask them to fully co-operate with each other failing which you would transfer them out of headquarters

  3. Appoint a committee of officers to suggest ways to mend the situation

  4. Encourage personal and social interaction among officers by means of sports, games, cultural activities, one to one meetings and other team building exercises
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Logic/Reasoning   Cooperation is best fostered by inter-personal interactions which break intra-organisational boundaries (in present case, departmentalism). This helps individuals to identify themselves with the larger organisation rather than the narrow department (Option (2)). Such an approach is direct as well as effective and healthy.

Principle/Value Tested Understanding of human behaviour and test of administrative acumen in managing work force  

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