2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Keat’s new assistant, Jonathan Bullock, makes the mistake at the crime scene of guessing about the probable cause of Deanna Brightman’s murder. Rather than eviscerate him before the entire team, Kim took him aside and used it as a teaching moment. Why?

Supervisors or people in authority should never humiliate someone in front of their peers. It was the right move. Why start an adversarial relationship with the new guy when you don't have to?

This gives us more insight into Kim's character. Although she comes across as stern, gruff and antisocial at times inside she is a caring and fair human being. It's not in her nature to be immediately confrontational unless in her opinion that the situation requires it. And in this case instructing a newbie was the right managerial approach to take.

...a pleasant side to Kim that I was glad to know....

It points to Kim’s leadership skills. She quickly assessed his motivation, which was to try to make an impression as the new guy in a new job. She saw those nerdy glasses and his unfortunate last name and knew he’d experienced a lifetime of humiliation. Kim decided she’d educate him differently without adding a layer of shame. I loved that she could make that quick assessment in the moment.

I agree Kim is a leader and knows how to help build skills to advance. We see it with Dawson too. There are many times when she waited to reprimand him.

I agree with what you all said above. Kim is a good supervisor, so she doesn't humiliate him in front of the others, but still makes her position on what he did clear. Obviously he learned from his mistake.