In a stakeholders meeting, the president asks for ideas to increase efficiency and reduce assembly errors. Beth, the quality manager, proposes a facility layout change to move components closer to the assembly stations.
Al, the production manager replies, “I don’t think we need to rearrange the whole place! Can’t we think of a less disruptive way to improve things?”
A, Remind the production manager that a change is needed.
B, Ask the others in the meeting for support.
C, Suggest a test run to demonstrate benefits.
D, Acknowledge the production manager’s concerns.
E, Appeal to the president to convince the production manager.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is D, Acknowledge the production manager’s concerns.
Explanation:
In a workplace, especially during a meeting where various stakeholders contribute their opinions, it is crucial to foster a respectful and collaborative atmosphere. When Al, the production manager, expresses resistance to Beth’s proposal for a facility layout change, the most constructive response would be to acknowledge his concerns.
Acknowledge his concerns because it shows empathy and respect for his perspective. By doing so, Beth can ensure that Al feels heard, which can make him more open to further discussions. After acknowledging the concern, she can then provide additional justification for her proposal, such as how the layout change will increase efficiency and reduce errors, potentially addressing Al’s specific worries about disruption.
Why the other options are less effective:
- A, Remind the production manager that a change is needed: While it’s important to emphasize the need for change, this approach might come across as dismissive and confrontational. It doesn’t address Al’s concerns, which could escalate resistance and hinder collaboration.
- B, Ask the others in the meeting for support: This approach could backfire by creating division and making Al feel isolated. It’s important to foster consensus in meetings, and putting Al on the spot could make him more entrenched in his position.
- C, Suggest a test run to demonstrate benefits: A test run could be a good solution later, but suggesting it right away might seem like trying to bypass or minimize Al’s concerns. It’s better to first acknowledge his objections before proposing practical solutions.
- E, Appeal to the president to convince the production manager: While the president can play an influential role, it may undermine the collaborative decision-making process if Beth directly appeals to the president. This could further polarize the team and place unnecessary pressure on Al.
By acknowledging Al’s concerns, Beth can then explain how her proposal benefits everyone involved, and they can find a solution that addresses both the need for change and the need for minimal disruption.