When Supervision is Not For You
The company will generally put some pressure on supervisors to stay in their positions because of the time and cost of training you and a replacement. A company should invest quite a bit of money into training supervisors. This training takes time. The experience to be really good can take years to accumulate. Loosing all this is not what the company wants to happen.
The employees may put pressure on themselves for not wanting to feel as if they had failed. They may be embarrassed to go back into a former or non-supervisory position. It may be difficult to take a cut in pay.
The family may have taken pride in your promotion and they may feel let down by the change. Family members may have been counting on the increase in pay. They may be embarrassed to tell others for fear of gossip.
You may have heard employees talk behind the back of others who have returned to former positions. They may make derogatory remarks or judgments.
Some people are not cut out to be supervisors. It is one of the hardest jobs from small business owners to corporations. Some companies make the supervisors' jobs even more difficult by failure to provide training, support and compensation. Often it is a thankless job.
A supervisor must have the inner drive to do a good job for his/her own self. The self that requires leadership, the desire to help others be the best, the desire to have your company succeed due to strong leadership at every level. A supervisor has to be willing to stay awake nights praying, thinking, and figuring what is right and what is wrong. I think a supervisor can be made great with training, good example, and patience. That supervisor must have some inner ability and desire to succeed.
If you find you are in supervision and you know you don't have that burning desire to continue, I suggest the following: I'd advise prayer. Make sure the Lord hasn't directed you to this position and make sure the Lord still doesn't want you in this position. If you feel you are not being led to stay, then find out your options. Are you allowed to bump back or return to the former job? Are you guaranteed a job if you decide to leave supervision or could your employment be terminated? Will you loose seniority, benefits and retirement options? Is your family supportive? Is turning down the job the same as killing a career? Does the company refuse to promote individuals who have requested getting out? Is there an option of staying in management without the responsibility of supervising others?
If you do return to your old job or you go back to something outside your company, is it fulfilling enough to become your career? Did you become a supervisor because you wanted to be a supervisor or because it was just an opportunity to get out of another job you hated? Is it time to investigate the rest of the world for jobs that might utilize your abilities and desires? Is it time to go back to school and be eligible for other options?
It is important to have a job or career that is satisfying whether it be in management or in another portion of the business. It is important to stay positive about your decisions and options. It is important to keep a good sense of self worth. Stepping down from supervision does not necessarily mean you are not a good supervisor. I've had some excellent supervisors who chose to get out. It tore them up inside to handle all the people issues. Life is too short to be in a position where you may be unsuitable. If you and the Lord have discussed the issue and you feel strongly it's time to step away, then step away. It takes a strong person to be confident in his and the lord's commitment to change.
Romans 16:19 "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil."