The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word HEED
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
H
E
E
D
More clues leading to the result HEED
- In conversation he would briefly care
- Notice the chap had verbally required
- Man had said “Pay attention”
- Pay attention to editor, the guy’s head here
- Observe ambassador meeting newspaper boss
- Pay attention, River Humber's opening up
- On radio man would listen
- Note helped after record disappeared
- Sounds like he would mind
- In auditorium the man would briefly listen
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HEED mean?
HEED noun- Careful attention.
- To guard, protect.
- To mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe.
- To pay attention, care.