Tips for supervisors?

[Eric]

I'm about to start a temporary stint as supervisor next week. This will be my first time moving from a senior staff-level role to actually overseeing people. Anyone have tips related to managing permitting staff (or being managed) that they can share?

 

[Jeff]

I make an effort to talk with my employees throughout the week. We don't always talk about work, sometimes there are issues in their life that they are struggling with and just need to vent. The supervisors and managers I have seen fail, have lorded over their staff and seemed to have forgotten that we are all human and are not merely machines to pump out projects during the workday. My best piece of advice is to be genuine, admit mistakes and encourage others.

 

[Eric]

Great advice, Jeff, thanks for sharing. I wholeheartedly agree with your people-first approach. In Corps LA District we're all still teleworking 80% of the time and there's really not much in-office culture/socializing. Ever since this all started during the pandemic I've felt it's important to maintain routine (virtual) contact among staff and not let anyone become too much of an island. I plan on holding weekly 1:1 standing meetings to not only check in on projects but also give folks a chance to chat about how work is going relative to other stuff they're balancing in their lives.

 

[Emily C]

Get to know your people, and don't micromanage them. Trust that they know what they're doing, and be approachable so they're not afraid to ask you if they don't.

 

[Emily C]

Congratulations on your new opportunity by the way!

 

[Eric]

Get to know your people, and don't micromanage them. Trust that they know what they're doing, and be approachable so they're not afraid to ask you if they don't.

We've all known each other for years so approachability definitely isn't an issue .

Congratulations on your new opportunity by the way!

Thank you!