When John notices tension between two employees over recording contacts, what is his role in addressing the issue?

In addressing the tension between two employees over recording contacts, John’s role as a mediator is crucial. Mediation involves facilitating a conversation between conflicting parties to help them understand each other's perspectives and work towards a resolution. As a mediator, John would aim to create an environment where both employees feel heard and can express their concerns openly, fostering communication rather than hostility.

In this context, John must remain neutral and guide the discussion to help the employees find common ground and develop a solution that satisfies both parties. This may include clarifying misunderstandings about recording contacts and finding a shared agreement on how to proceed in their work.

While the roles of coach, supervisor, and facilitator can involve guiding and supporting employees, they do not capture the specific responsibilities and skills associated with resolving interpersonal conflicts. Coaching focuses on developing skills and performance, supervising entails overseeing employee tasks and ensuring productivity, and facilitating typically involves enabling a process or discussion but not necessarily resolving disputes. Thus, the role of mediator best fits John’s task of addressing the tension between the employees.