D. Work in pairs. Put the five characteristics in Exercise C in order of importance for you, and explain why.

D. Importance of characteristics

The five characteristics in order of importance for me are:

1. Empowers employees: When staff have control over their work, they feel more valued and motivated, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
2. Encourages trust at all levels: An environment of trust fosters open communication and collaboration, making problem-solving more effective.
3. Supports innovation: Welcoming new ideas and changes creates a dynamic workplace where creativity can flourish, leading to growth and improvement.
4. Rewards good performance: Recognizing and rewarding good performance boosts morale and encourages employees to consistently strive for excellence.
5. Is customer focused: While important, placing the customer first is a direct outcome of a well-functioning internal culture where employees are empowered and trusted.

(Note: This is a personal ranking and justification. Other orders and explanations are also valid.)