Directing a Dissatisfied Manager
Rashmi Joshi had been a district sales manager with Fine Productions for ten years. She was recognised by her peers and supervisors as a person who managed department in a good way. However, everyone realised that Rashmi was extremely ambitious and was seeking a higher-level management position. When one of her sales representatives did a good job, she would attempt to take the credit. However, if a problem arose, she thought it was not her fault.
When the marketing manager retired, Rashmi applied for the position. The company decided to do a thorough search because of the responsibility and importance associated with the position. When the search was concluded, the decision was made to fill the position by a person from outside the company. The consensus of top management was that Rashmi, although a good district sales manager might have difficulties in working with her new peer groups. They felt that she might displease the other managers if she tried to take credit for their work and, as a result, their performance would suffer. Rashmi was heart-broken. She had wanted that particular job for a long time and had dedicated all her energies towards obtaining it.
She became very despondent and her work deteriorated. The department functioned inspite of her, not because of her. Decisions were made slowly if at all and she began to be late with her sales reports. Although her sales staff continued to be productive, Rashmi could not take the credit.
When the new marketing manager took over, one of the first major problems that he confronted was how to motivate and inspire Rashmi to her former level of performance. He recognised that Rashmi had been with the company for a long time but something had to be done to motivate her to perform really well.
How did Rashmi react after being rejected for promotion?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → She became demotivated and careless in her work
Option (1) She left the company — Incorrect. She stayed on in the same post. The passage never says she left.
Option (2) She increased her efforts to prove herself — Incorrect. The opposite happened: her work became worse.
Option (3) She became demotivated and careless in her work — Correct. Rashmi became very despondent, and her work deteriorated. Decisions were made slowly, if at all, and she began to be late with her sales reports. She still had the ability, but she had lost the will to work. That is what a demotivated employee looks like.
Option (4) She got transferred to another department — Incorrect. No transfer is mentioned. She remained the district sales manager.
Note: The passage is the NCERT case study ‘Directing a Dissatisfied Manager’, which has been reproduced by NTA in the exam. Rashmi’s story is in the Directing chapter, so read NCERT thoroughly, case studies included. NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Directing a Dissatisfied Manager … Rashmi was heart-broken. She had wanted that particular job for a long time and had dedicated all her energies towards obtaining it. She became very despondent and her work deteriorated. The department functioned inspite of her, not because of her. …” |