Taking on a leadership role for the first time is tough. There is always pressure on you to do the right things, and to be seen

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问题     Taking on a leadership role for the first time is tough. There is always pressure on you to do the right things, and to be seen to be doing them. But, unless there’s something that needs sorting out urgently, your first few months in the role will be better spent in understanding the people and the situation. One easy mistake to make is to think that you, as leader, the top person with the top salary, have the sole responsibility and the know-how to solve every single problem yourself. And you can be sure that others will encourage you to think that way, since it takes the pressure off them, and it satisfies their natural urge to leave the solving of problems to others. Instead try using existing resources to identify the current position and the ways to change it for the better.
    Start by consulting widely, beginning with the people who now report to you direct, as these are most likely to be the people with the expertise and experience to tackle some of the problems that are identified. A series of one-to-one meetings, though time-consuming, will be worthwhile, especially if they are structured to provide you with the information you need to make decisions later on. Two useful questions are: ’What do you see as the biggest problem facing the department now?’ and ’ What one change would make the most difference to our success?’ From their answers you can build up a picture of your people, as well as of the issues. Some will consider the needs of the department as a whole, while others may just concentrate on their own particular concerns. You will also have had personal contact with each person and can judge who you will work well with in the future.
    Overlap in their responses is a useful pointer to the priorities needing your attention. If there is no duplication in problems or solutions, it means that you have inherited a disunited group which will need some team-building and restructuring. If no clear picture emerges, it means that your people are part of the problem: you will need to make them aware of this.
    At the same time, consult with customers. Be open to criticism and to praise. Compare the views of your department with this external viewpoint and see where the biggest gaps are. This will help to identify areas for action.
    While you are data-gathering, have a look at the figures. Apply different measures from the standard ones. You probably lack knowledge about which company products are profitable, and you recognize that staff costs are a key factor. So, ask for an analysis of profitability per employee. There will be some grumbling that the new figures involve extra work, but the analysis will reveal how many and what kind of staff your company really needs.
    Finally, a key issue for you as a new leader is to establish priorities. If you have done your research well, you will have identified a number of areas for action. Bring your senior team together and tell them about your research findings, both the problems and the suggested solutions. Together, plot the solutions on a big graph, with one axis relating to the amount of difference the action would make; and the other axis to the ease of implementation. This will prompt useful discussion on the issues and the means of resolving them. In selecting priorities, you might well gain volunteers to tackle some of the tasks. Agree actions, assign responsibilities and establish dates for completion and progress reviews.
How should you structure your first meetings according to the writer?

选项 A、Explain to each member of the staff the problems facing your department.
B、See people individually and ask each one the same key questions.
C、Ask each member of the staff to concentration on priorities for action.
D、Bring everyone into the discussion to get an agreed plan of action.

答案B

解析
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