The Top 10 Principles of Successful Supervision

If you supervise people you have a choice to make. You can create a work environment in which people grow healthy, meaningful careers and the organization becomes more decisive. Or, you can produce a toxic atmosphere that makes employees sick and poisons the entire organization. It is up to you. In the long run, you can't be successful yourself if the people who you supervise are not successful. Here are ten principles to follow if you want to supervise for success.

1. People are selfish.

People are motivated by their own self-interests. Making stockholders or executives rich and famous does not motivate them. Successful supervisors align their interests with those of their employees. Successful companies align the interests of employees with those of the organization.

2. Employees need a real life.

People cannot be maximally creative or productive if their work-lives are out of balance with their needs for family, friends and community. They need control over their own lives. Successful supervisors respect their employees' needs for recreation, replenishment, and the need to pursue other aspects of their lives.

3. Employees have a right to respect and trust.

The golden rule is still in force, even in the workplace. Successful supervisors earn employees' respect and trust by respecting and trusting them. Successful supervisors give their employees trust, respect, and privacy.

4. Employees have their own values, missions, goals and career plans.

They have a right to their own career decisions. Successful supervisors encourage employees to succeed and develop in their own careers, and marshal these resources for common benefit.

5. Employees need clear and candid information.

People accomplish the most when they understand the big picture. They need to know organizational goals and strategies, and how their work relates to them. They need to know their supervisor's goals and needs, and how their own work relates to their supervisor's. Successful supervisors inform their employees of important events and goals within the organization.

6. Employees need the greatest possible autonomy.

The people closest to the work, approaching it in their own ways, will complete the job most efficiently. They need to control their own time and to accomplish their tasks in their own style. Successful supervisors give their employees flexibility and freedom to the greatest extent possible.

7. Supervisors have to manage.

Employees have a right to expect adequate working conditions and a supportive competent supervisor. Successful supervisors do their jobs, protect their employees' time and workload, and are careful not to overload employees with meaningless requests. Successful supervisors know the difference between real work and busywork, and they manage accordingly.

8. Diversity breeds productivity.

Successful supervisors value individuality in their employees. They seek inputs from people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, values and visions.

9. The most effective shepherds smell a lot like the flock.

Employees respect leaders who roll up their sleeves to contribute to the everyday work of the organization.

10. Don't Boss, COACH.

Truly successful supervisors: Collaborate with their employees; Observe their progress; Ask for their input; Challenge them to be involved; and Hypothesize important problems for them to solve.

This piece was originally submitted by Intercare21st, Scientists, Managers, Writers, Speakers and Coaches, who can be reached at greensladef@intercare21st.com or visited on the web. Intercare21st wants you to know: Dr. Chandra B. Louise is a professional speaker, writer, coach, and the founder of the Toxic Boss Web site www.toxicboss.com. She is also the author of the book "Jump Start Your Career in BioScience" (Peer Productions, 1998). Dr. Louise invites you to visit her Web site and share your boss stories both good and bad.

Dr. Forrest C. Greenslade is a scientist, manager, writer and speaker, who has learned a lot about growing meaningful careers and decisive organizations. His latest book, "The Simple-Minded Manager: Cutting Through Your Work-Life Chaos" will be published in September, 2000. More Simple-Minded Management lessons can be found online at www.intercare21st.com. The original source is: Chandra B. Louise, PhD and Forrest C. Greenslade, PhD.