How to Be a Good Supervising Manager
Leading a Team Effectively by Demonstrating Strong Leadership Skills
Nov 5, 2009
Developing leadership skills on top of great technical skills can ensure career progression. Determining how to be a good supervising manager involves a self evaluation process to identify areas that require improvement.
Good Leaders are Strong Visionaries
Good leaders can think big and articulate the picture to the team that will make it come to life. This means going beyond thinking of band aid solutions for the here and now to strategic short and long term planning. A good leader needs to be able to make projections and think of possible implications of worst and best case scenarios.
Good Leaders State Performance Expectations to the Team
Good leaders are consistent and fair when making decisions that affect the team players. Good supervisors convey performance expectations that are easy to understand and reasonable to implemented. Regular performance conversations are part of a good leader’s strategy where constructive criticism and recognition of achievements happens.
Good Leaders are Role Models
Good leaders are excellent role models for the staff they lead. Good supervisors are strong time managers demonstrating this by arriving on time, sticking to scheduled meeting times and meeting deadlines. Strong supervisors lead by example by not taking advantage of power or privileges. They following all company rules and do not turn a blind eye when team members break the rules. Good leaders deliver and expect excellence by stressing the need for total quality and continuous improvement.
When good leaders chair meetings they run efficiently. Leads are determined to solve problems, clear goals are set and action plans are put in place. Strong leaders model good team playing and set up a culture that encourages collaboration.
Good Leaders are Present and Approachable
Good managers know that in order to keep a strong dialogue happening with team members they need to be around and remain approachable. A leader that encourages honesty from staff ensures that they don't surprise them with overdue problems. An open door policy or at least regularly scheduled meetings with staff are critical elements of strong leadership techniques.
Good Leaders are Strong During Tough Times
When the going gets tough, good managers demonstrate strong leadership skills. Strong managers are supportive and fair when change happens; for example, during periods of downturn or crisis. Good leaders advocate for the needs of the team. Good leaders are assertive with difficult people including team members who are not pulling their weight.
Good Leaders Listen to Their Team
Good leaders ask their team members for ideas and feedback and act on the suggestions. Strong managers can disagree with team players and peers and are able to listen to and accept disagreement from others (including subordinates) by respecting different points of view.
Good Leaders Believe in Their Team
Good supervising managers delegate to staff based on knowledge of team member strengths. They aren’t threatened by team members that are stronger than them on certain aspects. Micro managers they are not; good managers know how to delegate without strings attached, share the power and empower staff to make decisions.
Good supervising managers understand that they have to be more than just experts in technical skills and be experts in managing people. Strong leaders are part visionary, performance manager, role model, parent, rock, counselor and cheerleader.
 |
