When an employee comes to the administrator's office to discuss a personal matter, what is the recommended approach?

• A. Inform the employee in a friendly fashion that it is not proper to enter into the private affairs of a subordinate
• B. Listen attentively and tell the employee what to do
• C. Listen attentively, and through guiding questions induce the employee to think through the problem and arrive at a solution
• D. Sympathize with the employee regardless of the type of problem because that is what the employee wishes to gain from the administrator

Answer: (C)

When an employee comes with a personal matter, the best approach is to listen attentively and use guiding questions to help the employee think through the problem and arrive at a solution. This approach shows respect for the employee’s autonomy and promotes problem-solving rather than simply telling them what to do. By asking thoughtful questions, you help the employee clarify the issue, explore possible options, consider potential consequences, and choose a course of action that they own. It also sets a professional boundary where you support them without taking over their responsibility.

Informing the employee that private matters aren’t appropriate shuts down trust and can hinder open communication. Simply telling someone what to do is directive rather than collaborative and may leave the employee less confident in their ability to handle future issues. Sympathizing without guiding toward concrete next steps can feel comforting but doesn’t equip the employee to resolve the problem or develop independence, and it may blur professional boundaries. If needed, you can provide appropriate resources or referrals, but the focus remains on empowering the employee to think through and decide on a solution.