An employee with a long impending promotion
A team member with ideas and feedback on a project
A hard working employee with an indifferent manager
A colleague brimming with anger on the company policies
What do they all need?
The first and foremost thing needed is just ‘a patient hearing’ from the leadership. A hearing where you are not tempted to speak, interrupt or sympathize. A hearing where you give a proactive, patient and keen listening to the concerns/feedback or comments of the employee. A hearing which is about your employee and not about you at all.
It is easier said than done for most of us. Nevertheless, it is needed all the time.