Stewardship

Correct Answer: Discuss the importance of work-life balance and help prioritize tasks

The best approach for a project manager practicing stewardship is to discuss the importance of work-life balance and help prioritize tasks. This answer demonstrates proper care for team members' well-being and long-term productivity.

Project managers have a responsibility to ensure the health and sustainability of their team. Consistently working late hours and skipping breaks can lead to burnout, which negatively impacts both the individual and the project.

By discussing work-life balance and helping to prioritize tasks, the manager can:
1. Show concern for the team member's well-being
2. Identify potential workload issues
3. Improve overall productivity and efficiency
4. Set a positive example for the entire team

The other options are inappropriate because:

Rewarding the behavior with additional responsibilities could exacerbate the problem and encourage unhealthy work habits.

Encouraging the behavior as a demonstration of commitment fails to address the potential for burnout and may lead to decreased productivity in the long run.

Implementing a policy for all team members to work longer hours is counterproductive and could lead to widespread burnout and decreased morale.

Correct Answer: Have an open discussion with the team member to understand their motivation and work together to find a sustainable balance.

The best approach is to have an open discussion with the team member to understand their motivation and work together to find a sustainable balance. This aligns with the principles of Stewardship, which emphasize collaboration, trust, and empowerment. By engaging in a constructive dialogue, the project manager can gain insights into the team member's perspective and help them recognize the potential consequences of overcommitting. Together, they can explore ways to optimize the team member's workload and ensure they are contributing effectively to the project's success. Reassigning tasks or closely monitoring the team member's progress may be necessary in some cases but should be done in a supportive manner rather than as a punitive measure. Encouraging the team member to continue overextending themselves is counterproductive and can lead to burnout and decreased performance. Addressing the issue during a performance review may be appropriate if the behavior persists despite efforts to resolve it collaboratively. However, it should not be the first course of action, as it may undermine trust and the sense of shared responsibility that Stewardship aims to foster.

Correct Answer: Empower the team by delegating decision-making authority and supporting their choices

As a steward leader, the best approach is to empower the team by delegating decision-making authority and supporting their choices. This approach encourages team members to take ownership of their tasks and feel a sense of responsibility for the project's success. Assigning tasks based on strengths and monitoring progress closely may not foster a sense of ownership, as it implies a lack of trust and autonomy. Establishing a reward system to incentivize ownership may work in the short term but does not address the underlying issue of reluctance to take responsibility. Conducting regular meetings to discuss the importance of ownership and provide guidance may be helpful, but it should be combined with empowering the team to make decisions and take action.