During a formal review, an employee rated low in initiative defends himself with a comment about finishing tasks. What quadrant best describes his performance?

During a formal review, an employee rated low in initiative defends himself with a comment about finishing tasks. What quadrant best describes his performance?

• A. Quadrant One: High Ability (Can Do) and High Attitude (Will Do)
• B. Quadrant Two: Low Ability (Can't Do) and High Attitude (Will Do)
• C. Quadrant Three: High Ability (Can Do) and Low Attitude (Won't Do)
• D. Quadrant Four: Low Ability (Can't Do) and Low Attitude (Won't Do)

Answer: (C)

The situation tests how ability and willingness interact to define performance. An employee who is low in initiative shows a lack of Will Do (low willingness to act), but if he defends himself by pointing to finishing tasks, that reveals he can actually complete work when engaged—demonstrating high Can Do (high ability). That combination—high ability with low attitude—is the quadrant that best describes him. The other quadrants don’t fit: someone with low ability but high willingness would be eager but not capable; someone with both high ability and high willingness would do well without excuses; someone with both low ability and low willingness would struggle across the board.

The situation tests how ability and willingness interact to define performance. An employee who is low in initiative shows a lack of Will Do (low willingness to act), but if he defends himself by pointing to finishing tasks, that reveals he can actually complete work when engaged—demonstrating high Can Do (high ability). That combination—high ability with low attitude—is the quadrant that best describes him. The other quadrants don’t fit: someone with low ability but high willingness would be eager but not capable; someone with both high ability and high willingness would do well without excuses; someone with both low ability and low willingness would struggle across the board.