Which of the following scenarios most clearly exemplifies the successful use of a manager’s diagnostic skills?

a. Sally suspects that Gary is underperforming because he is not getting enough sleep, not because he is incapable. She lets him work from 10 to 6 instead of 9 to 5, and his performance improves.

b. Sally must convince Gary and Rob to work overtime. She knows that Gary’s top priority is his own self-interest, so when talking to him, she emphasises how much money he’ll make. She knows that Rob’s top priority is her wellbeing, so when talking to him, she emphasises how much it will mean to her. Gary and Rob both work overtime happily.

c. A program on Sally’s computer stops working. She could ask Gary, a member of the tech support team, to fix it, but Sally is good with computers and fixes the problem herself in less time than it would have taken Gary to come over and fix it.

d. Sally has to lay off either Rob or Gary. Although she likes Rob more, she lays him off because Gary fits in better with the team overall and is better able to execute the company’s strategic mission.