Final answer:
The manager faces a counseling problem related to conflict resolution when dealing with subordinate issues stemming from emotions or personality clashes. Conflict resolution is crucial for maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring team productivity and morale.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a subordinate's problem stems from attitudes, personality clashes, or other factors tied to emotions, the manager is facing a counseling problem. The correct option in this context is b) Conflict resolution. Conflict resolution skills are vital for a manager to address such issues because they can significantly affect team morale, productivity, and the overall work environment. Managers have a profound influence on their subordinates' career growth and job satisfaction, as they play a crucial role in providing opportunities for skill development, performance evaluations, and recommendations that could affect raises and promotions. Furthermore, unresolved conflicts can lead to stress and diminished team morale, which in turn can affect the organization's success. Hence, active conflict resolution tactics should be part of a manager's skill set. Understanding the personality and approach of the manager also informs how an employee should communicate and work to ensure a collaborative and successful relationship.