Employees feel they have gained recognition when the supervisor __________.

• A. Listens
• B. Rewards
• C. Promotes
• D. Ignores

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that recognition comes from showing employees that their input and presence matter. When a supervisor listens, it communicates respect and value for what the employee has to say. This ongoing, direct acknowledgment helps employees feel seen and appreciated in the moment, which is a fundamental form of recognition. While rewards or promotions can also signal recognition, they are not as immediate or universally applied to daily work, and they may be contingent on specific outcomes. Ignoring employees, of course, would do the opposite and undermine any sense of recognition. So, listening best creates that sense of being recognized.