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Started By
Message
Tips on being a supervisor/manager/leader
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:49 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:49 pm
About 8 months ago, I got promoted within my department at work to be a Group Leader(drafting metal buildings). Its basically a management position where I oversee 6 people out of 26.
The thing is I feel like I've failed miserably at this. I'm only 24 and I have guys under me thats been doing this 30+ years to my 2 years. So, I can understand why I'm not respected in that regard.
I was wondering if there were any tips or mental exercises that I could do to boost my confidence and become a better LEADER and help my group become more efficient and produce quality work.
The thing is I feel like I've failed miserably at this. I'm only 24 and I have guys under me thats been doing this 30+ years to my 2 years. So, I can understand why I'm not respected in that regard.
I was wondering if there were any tips or mental exercises that I could do to boost my confidence and become a better LEADER and help my group become more efficient and produce quality work.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:51 pm to finchmeister08
Trust falls.
Also, leaders are born to be leaders.
Also, leaders are born to be leaders.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:52 pm to Mizzou to my Lou
I'm starting to actually believe that to be the case.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:52 pm to finchmeister08
Be confident and be real with your employees. Remember, respect is earned and not given by a title.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:53 pm to finchmeister08
Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:54 pm to finchmeister08
So you oversee a bunch of people drawing lines? I'm sorry, but what do you manage? The sharpener or the eraser?
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:55 pm to finchmeister08
Don't act like a 24 year old, recent college grad, know it all.
Don't micromanage.
Don't ask them to do anything they haven't seen you do.
Read "The Art of War" and "The Prince"
Don't micromanage.
Don't ask them to do anything they haven't seen you do.
Read "The Art of War" and "The Prince"
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:55 pm to finchmeister08
Lead by example. Don't ever ask or expect anyone to do anything you don't do. Realize that you are being watched by them constantly. LEAD BY EXAMPLE! Be the best at everything you do and they will too.
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 9:56 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:56 pm to HeadyMurphey
quote:
Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself
this.
Lead by example. As cliche as that saying is, it's 100% accurate.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:57 pm to finchmeister08
Randomly fire five people your first day as a manager. Show them you're not to be fricked with. Unless they're a hot female co-worker.
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 9:58 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 9:59 pm to finchmeister08
Fake it until you make it
As much as I hate the whole alpha/beta thing in regards to pick up artist shite I think it absolutely applies to work/business. No matter how long they may have been doing this they will still respond to a leader that takes charge of things. It's why they have been doing it for 30 years and haven't moved on. They are followers and always will be.
quote:
. I'm only 24 and I have guys under me thats been doing this 30+ years to my 2 years. So, I can understand why I'm not respected in that regard.
As much as I hate the whole alpha/beta thing in regards to pick up artist shite I think it absolutely applies to work/business. No matter how long they may have been doing this they will still respond to a leader that takes charge of things. It's why they have been doing it for 30 years and haven't moved on. They are followers and always will be.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:00 pm to finchmeister08
Is there one person out of your group that is undermining you the most out of the six? You may have to make an example out of him, not necessarily fire him. Maybe write up, time off etc. ... I know your young but don't ask them to do something , tell them
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:00 pm to finchmeister08
Fire the one that gives you the biggest lack of respect, replace him with a new employee. Then go on to the next one that doesn't give you respect, and do the same. Keep repeating until they'll get the hint, worst case you'll eventually have 6 new employees that will only know you as their "leader"
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:00 pm to stout
quote:
stout
Listen to him
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 10:10 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:02 pm to finchmeister08
Talk to one of the older guys under you that you trust. Or talk to all of them. Acknowledge that they know way more than you do, but that you are committed to doing the best that you can, & that you want to learn. Tell them that you encourage their opinion, & if they think you are doing something wrong, to speak up..
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:04 pm to stout
Never thought of it that way, Stout.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:06 pm to finchmeister08
Don't be a micro manager. Let your folks do what they need to do without you getting up in their business. I have a supervisor that is like that, and she freaking miserable. It's annoying as hell and doesn't produce any better results.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:08 pm to stout
quote:
As much as I hate the whole alpha/beta thing in regards to pick up artist shite I think it absolutely applies to work/business. No matter how long they may have been doing this they will still respond to a leader that takes charge of things. It's why they have been doing it for 30 years and haven't moved on. They are followers and always will be.
This. Leaders are born, not made. There's a reason those guys have been low to mid level for 30 years, the leaders they came up with have moved on.
But as as leader you must remember that 1. You came from somewhere and can easily be sent back to a lower level. 2. There's always someone else trying to get your job 3. A superior is nothing without his subordinates. Though you may be above them you are not necessarily better than them and even if you are a true great leader never shows his arrogance. Be confident, be decisive, be clear, and they will respond and respect that.
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:09 pm to finchmeister08
You manage things. You lead people.
Praise in public, coach in private. Recognize your top performers, eliminate your bottom 10 %. Cut the dead weight.
Build trust, build loyalty, build unity. Elminate "I" from your vocbabulary and replace with "We."
Praise in public, coach in private. Recognize your top performers, eliminate your bottom 10 %. Cut the dead weight.
Build trust, build loyalty, build unity. Elminate "I" from your vocbabulary and replace with "We."
Posted on 2/12/14 at 10:09 pm to ZacAttack
quote:
Don't act like a 24 year old, recent college grad, know it all.
Don't micromanage.
Don't ask them to do anything they haven't seen you do.
Read "The Art of War" and "The Prince"
Good stuff here.
I'd highlight the "Don't act like a know it all" part personally. I know from my experiences as an engineer it can be extremely difficult when put in these sorts of positions. I remember as a field engineer at 22 I was giving directives and instructions to guys who'd been working in the construction industry for 30 years all because I was good at math. It can be extremely intimidating. Ask a ton of questions and don't ever give an answer you don't know is correct. If you don't know, say you don't and find out the correct answer.
Some other general things like first in and last to leave, don't micromanage, etc. One thing I've found difficult as a young leader is learning how to build a raport with your coworkers while still having them respect you. That one is really personality dependent, though. What works for some might not work as well for others.
One thing I'd recommend is if there is a senior member of your team that you respect and feel the other coworkers respect, go to him/her (ok the her part was a joke) and talk with them about this sort of stuff. If you ask young officers in the military how they got through their early years all the best ones will say their NCOs. These guys have come up the ranks as one of the guys. They know the ins and outs, they can help you through situations and give you recommendations.
When I started as a field engineer one of my first jobs I had three crews under me. The foreman for two of them sucked and thought I was some young punk, but the third one was incredible. I'll never forget how much he taught me and still talk with him a couple times a month. We'd get to work a half an hour early and just go over all the drawings and tasks we'd be getting to that day/week.
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