An HR manager facing this task should do so “directly and with a sense of urgency,” notes John Feldmann, communications specialist with Insperity. “Of course, it should also be done respectfully, being sensitive to both the manager and the employee who brought the issue to light,” Feldmann says. “However, procrastinating out of fear or nervousness could allow the problem to grow over time, eventually making it harder to solve.”
Tania White, principal consultant at Canary HR Consulting, calls for fostering an environment where managers “know they can count on you to be honest, fair and authentically support them in growing the organization.” Savvy HR managers will use this opportunity to show managers how they can become better without being defensive, says Christine Wzorek, consultant with Disruptive Advertising. “Management is highly experiential,” she notes. “Most managers do not have adequate training or experience. You can help them succeed by establishing a positive baseline.”