Question

responding to a new challenge from your manager with \thats not my job\ or \thats not in my job description\ can harm your career because it reveals a lack of ________ and team commitment.

a.) initiative
b.) pride
c.) independence
d.) credentials

Explanation:

Analyze the context of the sentence

The sentence describes a scenario where an employee responds to a new challenge from their manager by saying "That's not my job" or "That's not in my job description." It states that this behavior can harm one's career because it reveals a lack of a certain quality, alongside a lack of "team commitment."

Evaluate the given options

• a.) initiative: Initiative refers to the ability to assess and initiate things independently, showing a willingness to take on new tasks and challenges beyond basic requirements. Refusing a new challenge directly demonstrates a lack of initiative.
• b.) pride: A lack of pride does not logically fit here; refusing extra work is more often associated with a lack of willingness to help rather than a lack of self-respect or pride.
• c.) independence: Saying "That's not my job" does not show a lack of independence; in fact, it is an attempt to isolate one's duties.
• d.) credentials: Credentials are official qualifications or achievements. Refusing a task does not show a lack of credentials (qualifications), but rather a behavioral choice.

Synthesize the final conclusion

The quality that is missing when an employee refuses to take on new challenges is the willingness to take action and show drive, which is defined as initiative. Therefore, option (a) is the correct choice.

Answer:

• (a.) initiative (Correct answer)
• (b.) pride
• (c.) independence
• (d.) credentials