If you need to reject a solicited proposal from an employee, which of the following approaches is best?

a. Use the indirect approach, but avoid explaining exactly why the proposal does not meet your needs; it’s up to the employee to figure that out.

b. Use the direct approach; rejected proposals are a fact of life of business.

c. Use the indirect approach, and provide a thoughtful and complete explanation of why the proposal does not meet your needs.

d. Don’t respond at all; doing so will only create an uncomfortable situation for the employee.