Supervisor Skills: The 4 Things You Must Do To Be A Successful Supervisor

Summary

In this video, Craig from Leadership Metro discusses the four essential steps to becoming a great supervisor. First, supervisors must understand their role, focusing on developing their team rather than just managing tasks. Second, they should align daily activities with key success factors to make a measurable impact. Third, providing constant and constructive feedback is crucial for improving performance and motivation. Finally, continuous self-development, through simple learning opportunities, is key to growth and long-term success. These principles can help supervisors create a thriving environment and retain top talent in today’s demanding workforce.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand your role as a supervisor: Your primary focus is to make your people better, not just manage tasks.
• 😀 Focus on developing your team: Shift from merely monitoring to actively coaching and guiding your team members.
• 😀 Identify your success factors: Determine the key areas you'll be measured on and align your daily tasks around them.
• 😀 Manage time effectively, but prioritize the right tasks: Time management is crucial, but focusing on the right things is even more important.
• 😀 Provide constant feedback: Regular, constructive feedback helps improve performance and motivation.
• 😀 Praise in public, reprimand in private: This approach fosters a positive work environment while maintaining discipline.
• 😀 Involve your team in solutions: When giving constructive feedback, engage your team in finding a resolution.
• 😀 Self-development is vital: Dedicate time to personal growth, even in small increments like 15 minutes a week.
• 😀 Learning doesn’t need to be formal: Utilize online resources or informal mentorship to continuously grow in your role.
• 😀 Consistency in learning outperforms neglect: Small, consistent efforts in personal development lead to long-term success.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of a supervisor according to the speaker?

The primary focus of a supervisor should be to make their people better, not just to complete tasks or monitor performance.

How does understanding your role as a supervisor impact your daily priorities?

When you focus on improving your team members, it becomes clearer what your priorities are, making it easier to determine how to spend your day effectively.

Why is it important to focus on the right things as a supervisor?

Focusing on the right things ensures that you are making a positive impact on areas that are critical to your role, rather than just being busy without seeing meaningful results.

What are 'success factors,' and why are they important?

Success factors are key areas that you are measured on, typically during performance reviews. By identifying these factors, you can align your daily tasks to ensure progress in those areas, leading to a more effective performance.

What does the speaker suggest about time management for supervisors?

While time management is important, the speaker stresses that managing time effectively is only valuable if you are focusing on the right tasks—those that contribute to the success factors of your role.

How can supervisors provide effective feedback?

Supervisors should provide feedback in private for constructive criticism, focusing on the observed behavior, its impact, and a solution. Positive feedback should be given publicly to encourage morale.

What is the significance of giving positive feedback regularly?

Regular positive feedback helps increase motivation, job satisfaction, and employee retention. It also helps to create a habit of recognition within the team.

Why should reprimands be handled privately, according to the speaker?

Reprimands should be done privately to avoid embarrassing the team member and to ensure the conversation remains constructive rather than damaging to the individual’s morale.

What role does self-development play in a supervisor's success?

Self-development is crucial for growth in the supervisor role. By continually learning and improving, supervisors can perform better and are more likely to advance in their careers.

What are some practical ways a supervisor can invest in self-development?

Supervisors can invest in self-development through online courses, reading, or asking mentors for advice. Even small time investments, such as 15 minutes a week or a monthly lunch with a mentor, can have a significant impact.