In a hierarchical organization where team members expect direction and performance reviews track task completion, the project manager must reassign tasks to meet a milestone. This may be seen as poor performance by the original assignees. What should the project manager do?

The correct answer emphasizes collaboration and transparency, which are crucial for maintaining team morale and productivity, especially in a hierarchical environment where changes can be perceived negatively. By explaining the change and involving the team in reassigning tasks, the project manager fosters a sense of ownership and minimizes the perception of poor performance. Option A is too autocratic and can lead to resentment, as it doesn't involve the team in the decision-making process. Option B is better than A but still lacks full transparency and can create an impression of favoritism or lack of trust. Option C is the least effective as it is secretive, potentially embarrassing for the less experienced member, and does not promote team cohesion or understanding of the change.