Card Carrying Supervisors Take Heed

Monday

23Nov2009

Monday, November 23, 2009 | |

Leadership is not easy, nor is supervision. But neither is as hard as some make it out to be. If you are a supervisor, take a few minutes to read through the questions below. Think about them and answer honestly.

Do you counsel employees over email?
Do you have to "win" employee discussions?
When asked why, do you respond, "because I can?"
Do you view employee questions as challenges to you ego?
Do you expect your support people to "read your mind" in regards to work expectations?
Do you look past behaviors because addressing them is a bit "uncomfortable" for you?
Do you hold back information because members of your staff just "don’t need to know?"
Are your performance reviews consistently late?
Do you engage in shouting matches with you staff?
Do you take this stuff personally?!

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, stop that right now. Supervisors, this is not about you. It is about helping others to succeed, to make the goal, to achieve the mission. It's about addressing problems head-on and making the tough decisions. It's about not making it personal. Does this make sense to you? Do you see the possibility? Do you see that there may be another way? If you do, then BRAVO to you.

If you don't, reach into your wallet, your purse, or your top desk draw and pull out your supervisor card. Hold it out. I'm coming by to collect it. Now.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Lisa Rosendahl in

Human Resources | tagged

supervision |

1 Reference

Email Article |

Print Article

References (1)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.

Response: Becoming a Great Supervisor

at Three Star Leadership Blog on Monday, November 30, 2009

Here are three excellent posts about being an excellent boss that I might have written if I could have done it as well.

Reader Comments (4)

Great list of questions, Lisa. To me, the best supervisors I have been around, and the ones that inspired me to give 'extra' effort consistently were always primarily concerned with ensuring the 'team' would succeed. I think way too many supervisors take the attitude of 'You people work for me' and expect excessive focus and capitulation on the part of the staff. Most people want to work hard and get ahead and the best supervisors do what they can to support that. Loved the post.

Monday, November 23, 2009 |

Steve Boese

I also loved the post! Thanks Lisa. It seems everyone I have met has indeed answered yes to at least one of your questions :-( One point ringing out to me now (and one that is particular important for start-ups - my love right now) is "Do you hold back information because members of your staff just 'don’t need to know?'" Getting employees involved in the big picture, and how their role fits in, is absolutely essential to having an engaged, passionate, and productive team. I wrote an example of this recently - http://everyonehateshr.blogspot.com/2009/11/engage-your-team.html I need to take a deep breath before I go on and on ... I see properly engaging employees as so important and almost cruel when not done - and also see it done so rarely. Again, great job :-)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 |

Matt

Hi Lisa this was my first time reading your blog. I was referred to it from Wally Bock's blog. I really have not read any blogs about supervisors and it was good to finally read something that pertains to me. I have to admit I answered yes to two of the questions. I am comfortable about addressing past behaviors and I sometimes take things personally. I mostly blame it on my age, lack of experience and lack of power or is it confindence (Will they actually take me seriously?). I am still becoming acquainted with my new "team" and I am confident I will change. Thanks for the post and you do not have to take my supervisors card yet.

Monday, November 30, 2009 |

Greg Anastassatos

Welcome Greg and thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see addressed. As supervisors, we need to stick together!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 |

Lisa Rosendahl

Post a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »

Author:

Author Email (optional):

Author URL (optional):

Post:

↓ | ↑

All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.

Simply Lisa

Twitter Updates