Supervision 101
Corporate America is a great place to get examples for supervisory training. There is always one of everything in this vast employee melting pot. Since I worked for a large corporation and still have family and friends working for some of the largest employers in the world, I'm never at a loss for examples.
In the corporate world, new supervisors are often placed in departments that pretty much run themselves. They are staffed by employees who have been with the company for many years, know their stuff, and could function quite well without any supervision. They may be specifically trained for their work, such as trades people, journeymen, possess advanced degrees in a targeted unique field, or have worked their way up the ladder from "the floor". Because they are so self sufficient, they have been training new supervisors for years. They've seen the best and the worst. For the best, they share their knowledge and will be a participant in your supervisory grooming. For the worst, they can make your life miserable until the day they celebrate your leaving. If you're the best, they will remain a blessing your entire career. If you're the worst, you will shudder every time you cross paths with them in the hallway.
Here are some truths:
You will be watched by your supervisor to see if you can cut it with this experienced team. Your boss will watch production, how you interact with his team and talk to them about you. They are in your supervisor's confidence and has their loyalty. They are the team. You are just wanting to be on the team.
Your new reports will be watching you to see what kind of person has been foisted on them. They will complain that you know nothing and "Not another one!" Truth is, most really don't care what you know about the department's specific jobs. Most will teach you because they enjoy teaching others. What will determine IF they teach you, is your attitude toward them, toward the assignment and learning, and toward your boss. Here are a few hints:
Chances are most people in this department will be older than you. They will have been working since before you were born. Many have served in the armed forces and saw friends die, have gone through family tragedies, currently make a good living, have grandchildren, are loyal to the company and have a life you will never imagine. They don't need to impress you and you don't impress them. They may be gruff, downright mean, may mother you, or ignore you.
If you go into this situation with the right attitude toward others, it could be one of the great gifts of your career. The Christian spirit of service will go long and hard being accepted into this environment. A commitment to learning everything possible about the company policy for your group, about your supervisory duties, and learning all the nuts and bolts on how to make your department run smoothly. Expecting your employees to teach you these things shows them you have little initiative. You may find this department has one big trouble-making individual. This person will feel it is his or her duty to put you through the mill and will take you to the edge. Knowing company policy and rules will allow you to treat this person fairly while protecting the company. Knowing and making firm company policy will show the department and your supervisor you have maturity.
You will make mistakes. Having a sense of humor and being self depreciative about your own frailties goes a long way with the experienced staff. Your Christian compassion for others, your mission of service to others, your taking God along as your mentor, are all basics for successfully navigating your new supervisory role.
Treat this opportunity as on-the-job supervisory training. You have been given some of the best teachers in the corporation. Proverbs 11:18 "The wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward."
In the corporate world, new supervisors are often placed in departments that pretty much run themselves. They are staffed by employees who have been with the company for many years, know their stuff, and could function quite well without any supervision. They may be specifically trained for their work, such as trades people, journeymen, possess advanced degrees in a targeted unique field, or have worked their way up the ladder from "the floor". Because they are so self sufficient, they have been training new supervisors for years. They've seen the best and the worst. For the best, they share their knowledge and will be a participant in your supervisory grooming. For the worst, they can make your life miserable until the day they celebrate your leaving. If you're the best, they will remain a blessing your entire career. If you're the worst, you will shudder every time you cross paths with them in the hallway.
Here are some truths:
You will be watched by your supervisor to see if you can cut it with this experienced team. Your boss will watch production, how you interact with his team and talk to them about you. They are in your supervisor's confidence and has their loyalty. They are the team. You are just wanting to be on the team.
Your new reports will be watching you to see what kind of person has been foisted on them. They will complain that you know nothing and "Not another one!" Truth is, most really don't care what you know about the department's specific jobs. Most will teach you because they enjoy teaching others. What will determine IF they teach you, is your attitude toward them, toward the assignment and learning, and toward your boss. Here are a few hints:
Chances are most people in this department will be older than you. They will have been working since before you were born. Many have served in the armed forces and saw friends die, have gone through family tragedies, currently make a good living, have grandchildren, are loyal to the company and have a life you will never imagine. They don't need to impress you and you don't impress them. They may be gruff, downright mean, may mother you, or ignore you.
If you go into this situation with the right attitude toward others, it could be one of the great gifts of your career. The Christian spirit of service will go long and hard being accepted into this environment. A commitment to learning everything possible about the company policy for your group, about your supervisory duties, and learning all the nuts and bolts on how to make your department run smoothly. Expecting your employees to teach you these things shows them you have little initiative. You may find this department has one big trouble-making individual. This person will feel it is his or her duty to put you through the mill and will take you to the edge. Knowing company policy and rules will allow you to treat this person fairly while protecting the company. Knowing and making firm company policy will show the department and your supervisor you have maturity.
You will make mistakes. Having a sense of humor and being self depreciative about your own frailties goes a long way with the experienced staff. Your Christian compassion for others, your mission of service to others, your taking God along as your mentor, are all basics for successfully navigating your new supervisory role.
Treat this opportunity as on-the-job supervisory training. You have been given some of the best teachers in the corporation. Proverbs 11:18 "The wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward."
posted by Diane Gibson at
2:48 PM
