Four simple ways to address employee discontent

Trouble in employee paradise? It's a big problem and likely a complex one, but big problems don't always require complex solutions. Building on Rebecca Knight's piece in Harvard Business Review, here are four small steps that can have a big impact.

CUT THE RED TAPE - During my time at VITAL WorkLife, we went through our own red-tape-cutting exercise, complete with gamification. Wouldn't you know it, removing barriers not only helps people perform better in their roles, it can be fun too.

GIVE YOUR PEOPLE THE POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS - A reminder to all you people leaders out there: you don't have all the answers, and that's OK. It also means you don't have to make all the decisions. Train, empower and trust your people. Good decisions will follow.

BE FLEXIBLE - Flexibility may vary. Whether it's how people approach the work or when they do it, it's the agency that matters. Times have changed. We all live in the Burger King mindset of "your way, right away" now. Don't fight it unless the nature of the work requires it.

BE REAL IN RELATIONSHIPS - It's not about creating fake work friendships. But genuine human connection goes a long way when the stresses of work and life start to overwhelm the best of us. Believe it or not, our humanness and your professional persona can mix.