Rich,
true, I need to respect them for the professionals that they are.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Rich,
true, I need to respect them for the professionals that they are.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
this is very important it reinforces the staff that you care.
The skills essential for supervising others are a combination of Emotional Intelligence, confident, self-determined, and the ability to lead others.
Communication skills are indispensable for supervising others. It is vital to be able to communicate with a diverse work force. One can have the greatest vision, mission, or have strong technical knowledge. However, without the ability to communicate, either in the written form or face to face, it would be hard to supervise others.
Interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to people and easily create rapport, contribute to direct reports desire to interact with their supervisor. Interpersonal skills can help motivate employees to do a better job because employees can relate to their supervisor. Employees believe that their supervisor is more concerned about them, with their performance, and with their output.
An additional skill is the ability to always maintain ones integrity. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. An individual with integrity can be trusted because he/she never deviates from values. A good supervisor must have the trust of followers and therefore must exhibit integrity. A supervisor who has integrity is more approachable.
An attitude that “I can achieve anything, and nothing is impossible†builds an image of success. When direct reports see that their boss can lead and direct, establishes attainable goals, and obtains results, then that supervisor demonstrates reliability.
The ability to knows one areas of weakness, and assemble an effective teams of experienced, and capable individuals who can supplement any voids the supervisor may have. Team building skills are essential for any supervisor to succeed. A supervisor is only as good as his/her team. After all a supervisor cannot do everything by themselves.
Positive reinforcement is also important
Respect for employees is crucial
Priscilla,
yes, yes, yes! Too often we think that "being there" for our reports takes a huge amount of time, when in reality it does not. Also, this is one of the most important & effective uses of our time. My job, as a leader, is to lead my staff. I pay them to do their jobs, not do them for them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Priscilla,
thank you for the great reminder of how important it is for us to maintain a higher standard for ourselves as leaders, regardless of who we are with.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I would also like to add taking the time to informally talk to staff. Being available in the hall or in the elevator has not in my experience taken much actual time, but by giving my attention fully for a minute or two, folks feel heard, and I get a sense of the overall temperature or issues of the group.
yes, consistency and also the willingness to be flexible when needed.
Yes, there is a "trickle down" effect in organizations. Each leader or supervisor greatly influences how their "reports" lead or manage. And also customers often receive the overflow from either good or poor internal relationships and treatment.
From my experience as an organization leader I would say it is treating everyone in my organization with respect, both when I am with them and when I am not, and this includes whether they are doing so regarding me or not. I have noticed that as as soon as I loose my alignment with this positive intention, the energy of the group starts to disintegrate and the higher quality of group relationships starts to unravel. Gossip, sub-grouping, and a lack of trust and safety.
Ronald,
I agree that as the leader you cannot have "best friends" as your direct reports and I do think you need to be friendly to your direct reports.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Being place in that enviorment, can be on either side of the fence.You will have people that don't like change and other side will be saying a new face. I think you have to go in like a lion and come out as lamb. The position requires you to be in charge. You can't have any friends. This is the hardest when they promate with a section or school.
Ronald,
yes, there are some job specific skills. I would say that a supervisor should know the job that his/her reports are doing, but make sure that he/she is not doing it for them but needs to focus on leading.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think it depends on the job. I feel that every job has its owns skills that are require. The biggest thing is a person must feel for the job. Today many people see the dollar signs and that is it. The person's heart will win over any crowd. In today world we are teaching students to be able to work together aas a team and a manager must do that also.
Matt,
yes & a big part of the humor is being able to laugh at yourself!
Dr. Ryan Meers
Beth,
these are great skills for any supervisor to have & I would add to the enthusiasm that it's also an enthusiasm for leading others.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I completely agree with Determination and Humor... you must be able to show your staff that you can remained focused regardless of the circumstance and at the same time, be able to break the ice with humor when needed.
Before even getting into a leadership role I think it is important for the individual to be motived, have a true passion for their profession, and positive attitude! They need to be able to maintain that positive attitude and professionalism when the going gets tough. Once in the role they need to be properly trained and be given the adequate time and resources before thrown into the position. If they have this and a good support system of colleagues this will help them be more successful.
