Are you a new supervisor looking to make a mark on the organization? Do you want your team to have the highest productivity, lowest absentee rates and best attitudes? Keep reading to learn what makes a good supervisor and how you hold more power than you may think.
Be respectful, not confrontational. The Golden Rule is a staple of good management: treat others how you would want to be treated. One Swedish study reveals that simply having a bad boss can increase an employee’s heart attack risk by 25 percent. Be ethical, not deceitful. By being honest with your employees during both good times and bad, you establish trust that boosts productivity and enhances loyalty. When you’re manipulative, or lie to staff, you are telling employees that it’s okay behave in the same way.
Focus on the positive, not solely the negative. Praise efforts and recognize outstanding achievements. Your team members want to know that you see their strengths, not just their screw-ups. Constant negativity breeds conflict and resentment.
Focus on solutions, not blame. Which is more important right now: to argue over who caused a mistake or to fix it and deal with the culprit later? Instead of putting an employee on the defensive, invite suggestions for making the situation better. You can build cohesion by asking someone to be part of the solution as well as the problem.
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Be a conduit, not a concrete wall. Many individuals spend more time with their direct supervisors than they do with their spouses at home. Use this relationship to move great ideas and great people up the company hierarchy.
Be open-minded, not close-minded. Get out of your office, make room in your schedule, and talk to your workforce. Be approachable on both the front line and in the back office. You can reduce absenteeism by being available, showing you care and making your team want to come to work.
Act like a human, not a robot. You are not the ultimate supervisory machine. You are a person who needs a laugh, a break or a chocolate bar now and then. Share parts of yourself with your employees and don’t be afraid to listen to stories from their own lives. The bond between people is what makes a good supervisor. This connection offers the best competitive advantage for any organization.
Dianne Shaddock
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Great tips for new supervisors. I also suggest setting up a system that allows employees to recognize each other. You can give them the floor at team meetings. I used to keep a stock of mini certificates at my desk. My employees could ask me for a blank certificate, fill it out, and present it to a fellow employee for a job well done. These went over quite well with my team.