BFTP: 12 things you need to know about me as a supervisor

A regular Blue Skunk "feature" is a revision of an old post. I'm calling this BFTP: Blast from the Past. A link to the original post is appended below.

I supervised others for about 41 years. First as a library media specialist working with library paras and then as a technology director overseeing the work of a diverse and growing bunch of technicians, coordinators, and clerical staff. I’ve personally had good and bad supervisors and have learned from both. Having done some reflection, here are some of things you should know about me if I were your boss...

1. I hate to supervise. My long held belief is that the secret of successful supervision is to hire people who don’t need supervision. I don’t like being micromanaged nor do I want to have to micromanage others.

2. I want people aligned to a simple mission. When you work in my department and anyone asks you what your job is I hope you say “Educating children.” I don’t care if you are a network manager, accounts receivable clerk, media specialist, or tech integration specialist. Your primary job, the basis of all decisions you make, is simple - what's best as it applies to educating kids.

3. I am not a mind reader. I don’t do subtle. I don’t get hints, looks, or attitudes. You have a problem with me, a coworker, a decision, or a situation, you have to tell me. I will absolutely respect you for your honesty.

4. I'd rather steer you than spur you. I love ideas and new approaches to getting things done. Take initiatives. Suggest policies and new approaches. Seth Godin writes: "It's the boss's job to continually ask, ‘is this the most daring vision of your work?’“I have to try to remember that as well.

5. I believe in families first. Your children will only play t-ball for so many years. Your mom may really need you as she ages. Your husband may require a ride to work. I get that. Honor being a parent, a son/daughter, or a spouse. You only get one chance really to be a good family member.

6. Never put in unpaid overtime. ‘Nuf said. I believe in flexibility and measuring outputs not inputs. It’s never about how long you spend working, it’s about how much you accomplish.

7. The only thing I like better than a compliment is a compliment about someone in my department. Any department I run should be noted for its friendliness and communication skills. We can’t always fix problems but we can always let people know we’ve heard their problems and are trying.

8. Formal evaluations are bullshit. I will do my best to give you feedback on a continuous basis. (And I know I never say thank you or recognize the efforts of others enough.) Let’s figure out together how to turn the formal evals into some kind goal setting plan that actually might make sense.

9. No surprises. I want to know the good stuff that’s happening as well as potential problems. We will meet regularly to share, but if something comes up, let me know. I don’t like looking clueless. And no end runs - you regularly go to my boss instead of me with a problem, don’t ever ask me for a recommendation.

10. We are interdependent. If we focus on making each other successful, we will all thrive and feel satisfaction. The thing I love most about being a supervisor is being asked for help and being able to give it. I will make sure your voice is heard by my boss and will do my best to get you the necessary resources for you to be successful. All I want in return is that you make me look good. Is that too much to ask?

11. Make me the bad guy. If somebody gets on you about a policy you didn’t make, don’t take any abuse. Just send them to me. I believe disagreement is a healthy thing in an organization, but I also believe in professionalism.

12. Happy workers are good workers. I’ve worked for assholes and I’ve worked for decent human beings. I don’t just believe happy people are more productive, I believe workers can’t be productive at all unless they are happy. I want everyone looking forward to work every day.

Reading this might make you think I was a pushover. You’d be wrong. I had high expectations of the people in my department. 

Original post August 7, 2014

Comments

[Elena Williams]

This was written about three years after I retired from my position as Richfield. MN Media Specialist but it defined my philosophy perfectly. I enjoyed my time there and worked with good people. I especially like #11 I used to say “they don’t pay you enough to take BS.”

[Kenn Gorman]

I already printed this out without asking, but since we are "pals" I figured it was OK.

I have been a summer camp director with iD Tech for seventeen summers and am always looking for new material for me and other leaders. I will definitely be using this from now on.

Just when I think I have heard the last bit of wisdom from you, you throw a curve ball...

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Ellen,

I wrote this just before I started the Burnsville tech director job in 2014. Thought folks there ought to have fair warning!
Hope you are enjoying retirement.

Doug

HI Kenn,
Always happy to share. Pay it forward.
The "wisdom" level feels pretty low now after retirement.
Doug

[Mark Caldwell]

Doug,,
Amen to your twelve points !
We have met several times at Conferences; and I have read many, many of your articles over the years...
but this 'checklist' is spot on.
Thanks for you wise input.
Mark Caldwell
Southampton NY 11968