You find yourself in a situation where you are required to make a PowerPoint presentation for a seminar, but you are already bogged down by too much work as a manager. What should you do?

Introduction / Context:
This situation-reaction question tests time management, professional responsibility and leadership behaviour. As a manager, you are required to make a PowerPoint presentation for a seminar but are already overloaded with work. The problem is evaluating how you respond without neglecting important responsibilities or misusing authority.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- You hold a managerial position.- You are required to make a PowerPoint presentation for a seminar.- You are already heavily loaded with other work.- The seminar and presentation are part of your professional duties.

Concept / Approach:
Good managers handle multiple responsibilities by prioritising tasks, delegating appropriately and using time efficiently. Avoiding the presentation, canceling the seminar or abruptly shifting all responsibility to a subordinate without guidance may reflect poor leadership. The most appropriate approach is to review your workload, delegate routine tasks where suitable and allocate focused time to prepare the presentation, which is likely an important deliverable.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List your current tasks and evaluate their urgency and importance.Step 2: Identify tasks that can be delegated to capable team members with clear instructions and supervision.Step 3: Block dedicated time slots in your schedule specifically for planning and creating the PowerPoint presentation.Step 4: Use this time efficiently, focusing on the key points of the seminar topic and designing a clear, concise slide deck.Step 5: If needed, you may ask a subordinate to assist in gathering data or preparing draft slides, but overall responsibility remains with you as the presenter.

Verification / Alternative check:
Choosing an alternative mode of presentation purely to avoid preparation may reduce the effectiveness of your communication, especially if the seminar expects a visual slide-based talk. Canceling or rescheduling the seminar because you are busy sends a poor message about your reliability. Handing everything over to a subordinate just because you are the boss, without proper guidance, may overburden them and reflect negatively on your leadership. Prioritising and scheduling time for the presentation while managing your workload demonstrates professionalism and commitment.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A ignores the requirement and may appear as avoidance rather than flexibility. Option B shows lack of responsibility to commitments and participants. Option C misuses authority and avoids personal accountability. Option D is the only option that addresses the workload problem constructively, showing you are willing to manage your time and responsibilities rather than escaping them.

Common Pitfalls:
Managers sometimes feel tempted to cancel or delegate fully when overwhelmed, but leadership requires balancing multiple duties. Good time management and selective delegation allow you to meet key obligations like important presentations without sacrificing quality or fairness to your team.

Final Answer:
You should prioritise your work and organise your schedule so that you can find time to prepare the PowerPoint presentation properly.