“The second rule,” Alan continued, “is that you have to look to that manager to solve problems, too. When you’re talking with an employee and he or she raises an issue, shares a frustration, or just starts to vent, it’s okay to listen, talk things through, and reassure. Before concluding, though, you have to toss the issue back to the manager. A great way to do that is by simply concluding with the question, ‘So, are you gonna tell him, or am I gonna tell him?’ You have to make it clear that one of you needs to tell the manager. That way you engaged, you listened, and you directed the employee
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