how to be an effective supervisor?

Answer 1

It can be tricky to be "there" for your people while trying to please the boss. The very best supervisor I had was as honest as he could be about everything, and when he couldn't be honest he didn't lie, he just told me he couldn't discuss it. I can understand that.

He made sure we were trained well to do the job. He didn't micromanage, but he kept tabs on me. He praised me when appropriate and that made me want to do well, and do better. He was approchable and just seemed to care about us. I know he had pressures from the bosses but he never took that out on us. It might affect our work, but he didn't take any agressions out on anyone else.

He was truly a model supervisor and if I ever have another that's just a little like him, I will be very lucky.

Answer 2

Start with a basic level of respect for and amongst all team members. Promote team unity by getting all team members excited about your shared goals. Reduce competitiion among team members and promote team goals. You get what you reward!

Use situational leadership, meaning treat employees differently based on their ability to self manage and their personal prefereces. (See resources on Ken Blanchard's situational leadership).

Dont be scared to delegate responsibility and mentor team members with further career goals. Never see your employees as competition, but see yourself as a mentor. Believe me they will work hard to make YOU look good if you treat them fairly and they believe you have their best interests in mind.

Find ways to deal with conflicts early. Give your team conflict resolution training so problems are nipped in the bud.

Be clear (but not anal) about expectations and be as flexible as the work will allow you to be toaccomodate your employees personal needs.

Have fun! The best teams know how to laugh together. You dont have to rule with an iron fist to gain respect. You can be friendly and allow some fun in your group, while still being clear to the team that your job is the supervision and management of their work efforts and ultimately the performance of the team. That is your job. Dont apologize for it. dont beat them over the head with it.

On the other side, always do your best to have your team perform well so management doesnt have to worry about that. They will appreciate it. Your job is to "take care of it". When your team is high performing they will give you the respect and tools or trainng you say you need for the team to continue to succeed. Then you become your team's advocate to management. Believe me, your team will respect and trust you even more.

Lastly, dont play personal favorites. Try to overlook personality conflicts between you and a team member. You wont love everybody, but if you go out to lunch with the same two people everyday, well... just make it an occasional team lunch.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You need to let the employees know that you are the boss. but dont be a DICK or they wont do a good job. and once the have figured out that you are the boss. Then try to be friends with them. But if u just like a hard *** right away they wont like you and they wont feel obgligated to come to you with questions. If you have time to read there are plenty of books with great advice. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

In this day and age I think approaching the supervisory role as a coach is the best way. You want people to be fully trained and know what is expected and you want them to feel empowered to their job to the best of their ability and that is what coaching skills can achieve.

Good Luck with it.

Answer 5

With an iron hand and a velvet glove.