A new plant supervisor on...
Illustration
A new plant supervisor on Grace Under Fire introduced himself to the day crew by reading a prepared statement. In the statement, he invited people to feel free to come into his office and announced that his door was always open. Then, he walked into his office, slammed the door, and closed the blinds. Perhaps he wasn't quite as ready to interact with his employees as his words suggested. Many supervisors are unapproachable. They may seem too busy to be interrupted. They may place barriers that limit access (doors, receptionists, secretaries) between themselves and their staff. Or their personality may, in and of itself, inhibit honest interaction and frustrate their staff. Whatever the reason, a supervisor's distance from her staff normally has negative consequences for the supervisor, employees, and the organization. Other supervisors encourage their staffs to keep them informed. They may schedule regular staff meetings, wander through the offices and stop to visit, engage in friendly conversation around the coffee pot, or just keep their door open and welcome staff interaction. Such supervisors often have loyal staffs, know what is going on in their departments, and are clear about the strengths and weaknesses of their employees. Their own openness fosters frequent and honest communication among their staffs. Perhaps more important, their leadership style encourages their staffs, even the shy and less assertive ones, to feel comfortable discussing important matters with their supervisors. -- Spencer
