Variance analysis involves comparing actual financial results with budgeted amounts to identify differences or variances. This helps in understanding performance and making necessary adjustments for future budgets.

Critical thinking involves the ability to analyze and evaluate information, rather than simply accepting it at face value. It requires individuals to question, assess, and understand the information before forming conclusions or making decisions. By critically thinking, individuals can identify biases, assumptions, and logical fallacies, leading to more informed and reasoned judgments.

Polymorphism in object-oriented programming refers to the ability of different objects to be treated as objects of a common superclass. This allows for flexibility in designing and implementing classes, as objects of different types can be used interchangeably where a common superclass is expected. Polymorphism enables code reusability and simplifies the code structure.

Navigating difficult conversations often requires active listening skills, allowing each party to feel heard and understood. By actively listening, one can identify underlying concerns and work towards finding mutually agreeable solutions. This approach fosters trust and promotes constructive dialogue.

Empathy in negotiation is crucial for understanding the other party's perspective, building rapport, and establishing trust. It allows negotiators to recognize emotions and needs, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. Manipulating emotions or considering empathy as a weakness can hinder trust and damage relationships, affecting the negotiation outcome negatively.

Time blocking is a time management technique where you divide your day into segments or blocks of time and assign specific tasks or activities to each block. By doing so, you can focus on one task at a time, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. It helps in managing distractions and ensures that important tasks are completed on time.

Verbal communication is the act of conveying information through spoken words. It involves the use of language, including words, tone, and intonation, to convey messages effectively. This form of communication is essential in various contexts, such as conversations, presentations, and speeches. Mastering verbal communication skills enables individuals to express ideas clearly, engage audiences, and foster effective communication exchanges.

While a good leader may possess empathy towards team members and strategic thinking skills, a great leader goes beyond and exhibits the ability to inspire and motivate others. Moreover, a great leader demonstrates strong decision-making skills, enabling them to navigate complex situations effectively and lead the team towards achieving ambitious goals with confidence.

The "pip" command in Python is primarily used for package management. It allows users to install, uninstall, and manage Python packages effortlessly. Pip simplifies the process of distributing and installing software libraries written in Python, making it an essential tool for Python developers.

Option 2 is correct because it demonstrates empathy towards the customer's dissatisfaction and shows a proactive approach to resolving the issue. Simply offering a refund may not address the underlying problem, and merely explaining the benefits may come across as dismissive. Apologizing and promising to rectify the issue is a good start, but without investigating and proposing a solution, the customer's concerns may not be fully addressed.