How to Be a Successful Supervisor - A Must-Read Bookshelf for Professional Success (English-Chinese Contrast) (Includes 2 Free CDs)

Author: Marshall Cook (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: As a manager, your responsibility is not to correct mistakes, identify shortcomings, or evaluate faults. Instead, your task is to guide employees to achieve the best results to meet production goals. To do this, you should act more like a coach and less like a boss. A boss always talks endlessly, while a coach listens attentively. A boss always tries to solve problems, while a coach prevents problems from occurring. A boss always gives orders, while a coach sets challenges. A boss always tells subordinates what to do, while a coach works with them. A boss always points out others' faults, while a coach takes responsibility. A good coach is positive, supportive, trustworthy, and patient. This doesn't mean you should be close friends with your employees or act as their confidants. You are still the one responsible, but your attitude toward this responsibility has changed. To lead employees, you must serve them and anticipate their needs in advance. Supporting employees isn't just about saying a few encouraging words or patting them on the shoulder—you have much more to do. As a coach, you are responsible for ensuring employees have everything they need to do their jobs well, including tools, time, guidance, and answers to their questions, while also eliminating external distractions. Next, we ask you: Do you believe your employees are responsible, honest, and willing to put in reasonable effort for the salary they earn? You should. If you don't trust your employees, then you shouldn't hire them. Most people are responsible and honest, and they all want to do their jobs well. So, just delegate the work and then let them perform to the best of their ability. Another point, you must respect them, including their rights as employees and as individuals. Try to understand them and treat them as independent individuals. Here are three key points to help you become an effective coach:
Take responsibility: Trusting and respecting employees doesn't mean you should abandon them. The manager's responsibility is to manage. H. Truman once said wisely, "The buck stops here." Demonstrate decisiveness: What you pursue is performance, not excuses or justifications. Be a strong leader. Let them know that when you say "yes," it's "yes," and when you say "no," it's "no." Treat employees with cooperation rather than commands: Stand with your employees—you have common goals. When they do well, it means you do well.