National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

What are the primary benefits of management by walking around?

1. Evaluating, controlling, and planning

2. Listening, teaching, and facilitating

3. Listening, planning, and organizing

4. Directing, evaluating, and innovating

The correct answer is: Listening, teaching, and facilitating

The primary benefits of management by walking around are centered around engaging with staff and fostering open lines of communication. Listening is crucial because it allows leaders to understand the concerns, challenges, and successes of their team members directly. This kind of engagement can build trust and transparency, leading to improved morale and productivity. Teaching is another significant benefit, as it provides an opportunity for leaders to share knowledge and best practices with their team members on the spot. This real-time communication can enhance the team's skills and competencies, ultimately contributing to better care and service delivery in long-term care settings. Facilitating is essential because it helps create an environment where staff can easily collaborate and share ideas. Leaders who actively participate in this way can better support their team's initiatives and provide the resources necessary for success. While other options mention management functions such as evaluating, planning, and directing, these are more structured and less focused on the interpersonal aspects that management by walking around promotes. The essence of this management style is about creating connections and fostering a positive workplace culture, which is best captured by listening, teaching, and facilitating.