John is a CAD designer who spends most of his time designing mechanical parts using computers. He works with a team on various projects and he is generally happy with his job. John has been in this company for 2 years since he graduated and is pretty good at what he does. He has been in this role ever since he joined the company. You, as his manager have noticed that John has become more vocal in meetings lately and seems to be more argumentative with others. He seems to be eager to tell everyone about his opinion and doesn’t listen that often to others’ ideas. He also seems very keen to use new untested technologies despite what everyone else tells him. He doesn’t seem as motivated as he used to be and he has also started a new habit of coming late to the office and leaving early.

You are about to see him and talk to him. What would you say? What are his needs and what can you do to satisfy them?