A Trucking Dilemma
Natalie Hunter, General Manager of New Product Development for Mainline Trucking, has some decisions to make.The company, which manufactures long-haul trucking platforms and accessories, is trying to decide if it should proceed in designing a new accessory which increases the efficiency of truck loading and unloading.She knows the new accessory fits well with the corporate strategy, will position them competitively within the industry, and she feels she has done a good job of selling it to other management.With her engineering training and experience, she also knows the product is reasonably easy to lay-out and probably cost-effective.However, a major problem lies with the line workers, who are Unionist.The new product will reduce manpower needs and is unpopular.She has always had a good relationship with her workers, but she knows they are highly suspicious.She also knows the new project will not work without their cooperation.She gazed out her window and struggled with how to best handle this situation.
-Refer to A Trucking Dilemma (Scenario).If Natalie were a first-line supervisor, instead of a general manager, which of the skills would she use to deal with this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a first-line supervisor, Natalie would need to use her human skills to deal with this situation. Human skills involve the ability to understand and work with people, including communication, empathy, and conflict resolution. In this case, Natalie would need to communicate effectively with the union workers, empathize with their concerns and address their suspicions, and work to resolve any conflicts that arise in order to ensure their cooperation and the success of the new project. Leadership and planning skills may also be useful, but human skills would be the most important in this specific situation. Technical and conceptual skills may not be as relevant in a first-line supervisor role.

A Trucking Dilemma Natalie Hunter, General Manager of New Product Development for Mainline