Negosentro | 4 Tips for Becoming a Supportive Supervisor | While managers utilize several leadership styles, supportive supervision seems to be the preferred approach. This style puts the employees’ needs first, making them feel important to the management team. With this method, supervisors are dedicated to helping each person flourish.
If you’re in charge of a group of workers, you may be interested in this approach, as it makes for a more peaceful place of employment and happier employees. Here are some tips on how to become a more supportive supervisor.
1. Keep an Open Dialogue
Make sure your staff knows that you’re available to discuss any concern, personal or work-related. Although employees strive to keep their private lives separate from the workplace, this concept is actually easier said than done. If a member of your team is struggling at work, you’ll want to know why.
Unless you make yourself approachable, your employees won’t want to discuss their problems. Keep an open-door policy and encourage everyone to talk to you if they need to. Be understanding of all issues, big or small. Something that may seem insignificant to you may be a major problem for your employee. For example, a staff member may be concerned about affording payments for student loans. If you don’t owe money, you may not completely understand the situation. Don’t judge; instead, listen to the problem and show that you care.
2. Focus on Teamwork
While the relationship between you and your team is important in creating a productive work environment, the ability for employees to get along and work well together is also essential. Everyone’s main goal should be to complete tasks, but if there is tension among the team, it will be difficult to finish these assignments quickly.
To ensure everyone works well together, you might want to try some team-building activities. Use a slower workday to your advantage by providing games that require teamwork to complete. Encourage everyone to participate by offering prizes for the winners. The ultimate goal is to help everyone get along better, which will improve the work environment.
3. Work With the Crew
Although you have your own work to do as a manager, it’s vital to take time and work alongside your employees a few times each day. This act not only shows you whether everyone is performing well, but it also lets your team see that you’re willing to get your hands dirty. They will have more respect for you if they see you taking the time to assist.
This first-hand experience can also help you understand employees’ concerns and complaints regarding specific ways to complete tasks. You’ll better be able to address these issues and figure out solutions to make the work easier.
4. Ensure the Team Has the Tools To Succeed
Without proper instruction along the way, your employees may fall behind and start performing poorly at work. Although they should ask for help, some people are too timid to do so, and it’s also your responsibility to make sure your team is adequately trained.
To ensure your team members don’t fail, be proactive and keep the entire crew up-to-date on training and skills. Training should be provided for everyone, but some employees may require extra time on certain aspects. You can provide instruction through computer simulations, reading material or employee shadowing. Make sure that you base whichever option you choose on that specific person’s needs.
By taking a supportive management role, you can get a better look into each employee’s personal life and job skillset. This knowledge will aid you in determining how to help that person succeed. By assisting each employee, you’ll create a stronger team, which will help your business thrive.
