Final answer:
Jakob will likely not advance to a middle or top management position because he exhibits behaviors of a derailer—a supervisor whose negative traits negatively impact their performance and that of their team. These traits create an unsupportive and demotivating work environment and are detrimental to any company's success.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the shift supervisor at a car wash, Jakob's poor leadership qualities such as being bossy, arrogant, and insensitive highlight why he is less likely to become a middle or top manager. The correct answer to why he will likely not advance is because he is a derailer. A derailer, in a managerial context, refers to someone whose behavior negatively affects their performance and that of their team. The traits exhibited by Jakob such as the inability to delegate tasks, poor interpersonal skills, and a lack of empathy or support for subordinates contribute to a toxic work environment that hampers productivity and growth.
For instance, in the case of Tyre, a nursing assistant, negative behaviors exhibited by their supervisor led to low autonomy, poor morale, and ultimately, an unsupportive and demotivating work atmosphere. This parallels Jakob's situation at the car wash. Moreover, as seen with the character in the film Office Space, such supervisors create environments where employees feel undervalued and overworked, which can lead to employee dissatisfaction and high turnover rates.
An unsupportive supervisor who is unable to foster an encouraging and productive work environment, as well as fail to appreciate the effort of their employees, is detrimental to any company's success. Such behaviors align with what is known as derailing and highlight why Jakob's current approach to management is not conducive to career advancement.