THE FIRST THINGS YOU DO AS A SUPERVISOR SEND BIG MESSAGES

The first steps you take as a supervisor are important and highly visible. The first things you say and do send big messages that set expectations and may remain in the memories of others far longer than you might like. Choose your first steps wisely.

“I still remember the first gathering you had when you took over the division.” These were the words I shared with my former supervisor when we crossed paths some years later. As I look back, I recall hoping that I would be as effective as he was when I took my first steps as a supervisor.

Some things I learned from my supervisor’s first steps that I find useful when taking on new supervisory responsibilities include:

Resist the temptation to tell people “Here’s how it’s going to be around here from now on.” Such messages elicit an instant negative reaction and will make your job as a supervisor harder.

Decide on a few key messages. Consistency and clarity will help everyone as they start to compare notes. It is good to address what will be happening as you settle in, what the organization is going through and how that relates to your group’s work, some guiding principles you hold, and above all, an indication that you would like to hear directly from them how they think things are going. This message sows important seeds for your transition period (which generally lasts about 90 days).

Let them know your roles and responsibilities. It is not really about you; it is about your roles and responsibilities as a supervisor of the work unit. They want to hear it from you.

Show them what a great listener you are becoming. Ask questions and then let employees do the talking. This sends a key message that you care about their ideas and that you are going to be someone they can work with.

Outline the near-term future. Let everyone know what they can expect in terms of future communication and interaction.