Six Steps To Becoming A Good Supervisor

Typically, no one is trained to be a supervisor. We all have to learn how to manage people on the fly, after we are promoted into a management position. It is helpful, when learning to be a good supervisor, to keep in mind the things that past supervisors have done that you liked and those that you have not liked. You can use these experiences to guide your decisions. Here are six steps to follow to make sure that you become a leader that others will remember in a positive light. nn1. Tame yourself – You have to begin by understanding your personality and taming it. If you are too quiet, you will need to work on becoming more outgoing and decisive. If you are too decisive, to the point where you scare people, you will need to work on toning yourself down. You want to become a thoughtful, considerate leader who knows where they are going.nn2. Have a goal – If you don't know where you are going, you will never arrive, and no one will be able to follow you. Your goal can be as simple as "providing every customer with the best service" or "no injuries, no deaths on the job" or "make a profit."nn 3. Have a "clear, simple message" – You must be able to convey your goal in a sound bite. People can understand and retain clear, simple messages. You have to be able to repeat the message at meetings, in newsletters and in general conversations. If your people know the message, they will be able to follow.n 4. Look and act like a leader – People have a much easier time following someone who looks as they should. Your clothes should be clean and pressed. Your shoes should be polished. You should walk with confidence.nn5. Be trustworthy – People won't follow you if they don't trust you. You must be ethical and honest at all times. People trust people who are clear about what they are doing. People don't trust people who say one thing at a meeting, and then say or do something different outside of the meeting.nn6. Care about your people – You can't supervise people if you don't like them. You shouldn't become best friends with your staff, but you should know them and know what their problems are. Because you care, you should attend their weddings, and the funerals of their close family members. Because you are their leader, you should not attend more personal functions, such as their birthday parties. You need to keep yourself conce ed with your staff, but not intimately involved with them. If you are really not a "people person," consider another, non-managerial position in your organization.