RESPONSE to SUPERVISION

SHORT DEFINITION FOR RESPONSE TO SUPERVISION:
After receiving  direction from their supervisor, the team member checks for understanding and completes assignments to the best of their ability

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS FOR RESPONSE TO SUPERVISION::

• I make sure I understand the things my supervisor asks me to do
• I put a priority on completing the things that my supervisor asks me to do
• I accept constructive criticism as being helpful
• I listen to and ask questions about concerns expressed by my supervisor
• If I can see an issue with what my supervisor has requested, I can discuss the issue calmly and productively with my supervisor

ARTICLE: How to Create a Great Boss

Full article below OR download the PDF!

HOW TO CREATE A GREAT BOSS - by Michelle Cereal

My boss respects me, listens to me and involves me in decisions that affect my work (how cool is that?).

Here’s how I created the best boss ever (and you can too!): 

The first step in creating a great boss is establishing respect:

Your boss is your boss for a reason.  They are either very strong with the hard skills it takes to do what you are being asked to do, or they are very strong with the soft skills it takes to supervise people successfully.  Maybe they are great at both?

If you want to be respected by your boss, show them respect as well.  That’s how the respect rule works, and yes it is also your boss’s job to show respect to you.

Don’t expect your boss to be perfect:

One way to respect your boss is to give them a little slack, they are human too.  Everyone struggles with something and we all have something to learn.  If you want to be given some slack yourself, give it up for your boss too!

Ask your boss to make a call:

There are at least 3 good reasons to get your bosses take on something:

• ·        The first is when you shouldn’t be making a call in the first place.  Some decisions are up to the supervisor and that needs to be respected. 
• ·        A second reason to ask your boss what to do is when you get that feeling that you aren’t sure about something and maybe should ask.  Act on that feeling!
• ·        A third reason is to practice what you want your boss to do for you (ask your opinion).  Walk the walk and ask them what they think once in a while even if the situation doesn’t require it.

Do things the way you are asked to do them:

As a rule, when your boss asks you to do something in a certain way, they have a good reason.  If you are curious you can ask why, or you can just do what you are asked to do… its easy!

If you see a legit reason to object to what your boss asks you to do, do it respectfully and don’t get upset if you are over-ruled.  When a supervisor overrules an employee, they become responsible for the outcome.

Most of the time these situations are not a big deal, but if you are asked to do something that you know is just flat wrong you do have the option of taking the issue to human resources or reporting your concerns using the company confidential hot-line.

Disagree professionally:

One of the great things about America is that we have the right to disagree.  In the workplace it’s the same.  Respectful disagreement should lead to a stronger relationship with your boss. 

It’s OK if you see things differently than your boss, and its ok to say that you do.

We have to remember though that our boss is still our boss and we have to demonstrate that we can follow their direction even if we don’t agree with it.  Trust is at stake here.  Your boss has to know that if they ask you to do something that you’ll follow through even if you don’t agree with it.

If you speak your mind and it doesn’t go your way, let go of it and remember you have a job to do that includes doing what the boss wants you to do.  Know when to speak up, when to back down and to always follow through with what you are asked to do.

Take notes on the important things your boss wants to see happen:

When my boss asks me to do something I write it down.  It demonstrates that I’m listening and that I think it’s important.  The other reason I write down what my boss has asked me to do is that if I don’t I could forget to do it or forget important details about what I’ve been asked to do.

Be your word:

If I say I’m going to do something (or if I’ve been asked to) I get it done.  Always.

The benefit of this that isn’t so obvious? When your supervisor trusts you, they start to listen to you.

Ask your boss to listen to you:

Maybe you have a boss who doesn’t listen to you at all.  It’s OK to ask for time to talk to your boss.  They are expected to give you that time, to listen to you and to take your concerns seriously.

Do a better job than you were asked to:

The best thing you can do on the job is be noticed for always doing things really well.  That gets noticed, you get asked to do other things, you get promoted.  It’s not a secret.

Do it before your boss sees that it needs to be done:

If you want to be promoted, start doing things that clearly need to be done, without waiting for your boss to notice.  What they’ll notice then is that you are on top of things.

Ask questions and listen to their answers:

When you ask someone a question because you truly want to know what they think, you are establishing the opportunity for them to return the favor.  If you listen to their answer.

Make them laugh once in a while:

If you have a sense of humor then I want to work with you.  It’s that simple.

When your boss isn’t happy with something you have or haven’t done:

Express that you own whatever it was and let them know you’ll try to avoid that happening again

Learn how to say “I own that mistake” and mean it… and demonstrate that you learned something from the mistake.

Expect your boss to be professional at all times with you:

Hold them accountable!  It has never been written into a supervisor’s job description to treat people poorly, yell at them or that it’s OK for them to not follow up on commitments they make to their employees.  Speak up about these things if you have to (do it respectfully).  Accountability is a 2-way street.

If you are doing everything above and your boss doesn’t treat you with respect or listen to you, then find a new boss (and try these suggestions again!).