10 tips for first-time supervisors
July 8, 2015 12:42 AM
Employee training can play an important role in an organization's efforts to retain key workers. Benefit managers and other employees who are first-time supervisors may need a little extra support in their new role. The following tips, from Sharlyn Lauby of HR Bartender, can help make sure new supervisors are set up for success.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Don't try to be everyone's friend.
Don't mistake this for being unfriendly, says Lauby. "It's not realistic to think that you can be everyone's friend," she notes, especially if at certain points in the employee's career that you are the one who might have to discipline.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Fair and equal are not the same thing.
All employees value fair treatment, but it is possible to be fair while not giving everyone the same thing. "Recognition is a good example," she notes. "Everyone enjoys being recognized but all people do not want to be recognized the same way."
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Ask for feedback and input.
"Often we put additional pressure on ourselves by assuming incorrectly that being a supervisor means we need to have all the answers," says Lauby. Supervisors don't need to know everything, but knowing where to get answers should be a a priority.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Learn how to run a good meeting.
"Developing a reputation for chairing a good meeting will do wonders for your career because people will attend your meetings and participate at a high level," she says. Meetings where employees are engaged will help lead to productive and measurable business results.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Find time to relax.
Supervisors need to effectively manage large workloads without getting burned out, says Lauby. Teams rely on supervisors to be healthy and energetic. "Otherwise, we're a drain on the organization," she says.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Find someone you can trust (and vent to) about work.
Supervisors don't always have the ability to share everything with employees, so secure a place where you can talk confidentially. "It could be human resources, someone at home or a colleague," she says. "Just make sure you can trust that the source will handle the conversation appropriately."
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Take every opportunity to improve your people skills.
Every day is a learning experience. "Never turn down training," she advises. "You can even learn something from bad training."
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Learn how to say "no" comfortably.
The answer to everything is not "yes." Being able to say "no" when necessary will help new supervisors keep their sanity.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Understand how to manage change.
Business is all about change, and agility is everything. "No sooner do we get into our rhythm with a project or process and it changes," she says.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Master the art of delegation.
A true supervisor will know the strengths of a team. While responsibilities usually include completing all tasks, a true supervisor should not be working on them all and will master the art of delegation, says Lauby.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
