Direct supervisors have a very important role in achieving high performing workplaces

I talk a lot about having strong management commitment to organisational performance at the very top of the organisation.  Having top level management committed to people and performance makes it a priority for everyone in the organisation.  It ensures the organisation has a strategic vision, objectives are set and adequate resources are available.

But whether or not an organisation has highly committed top management, the direct supervisor can have a dramatic impact on the people they lead.  When a direct supervisor is in tune with the organisation’s vision, mission, values and business plans, and involve the team in managing how they will achieve them, performance improves dramatically.  

Here are 10 things HR, risk and safety professionals can do to help improve organisational leadership:

1. Provide supervisors with management and leadership training, and ongoing coaching.
2. Review operational plans and procedures with supervisors. Let them help shape how the organisation will achieve its objectives.
3. Keep operational plans and procedures simple, and pitched at supervisors. They don’t need volumes of jargon.
4. Have supervisors consult with their team on operational issues. This is their job.  They have established relationships with their staff.  Their staff are their responsibility.
5. Have all performance messages delivered by direct supervisors.
   What is important for the direct supervisor is important for the subordinate.  The message is received much better when delivered by the direct supervisor instead of the HR, risk or safety team.
6. When employees come to you with questions, refer them back to their supervisor, then support the supervisor in preparing a response. Ask employees things like, “have you raised this with your supervisor?”, “What did your supervisor say?”
7. Set them up to succeed. Remind them when things are due.
8. Let them know when opportunities to be a great supervisor present themselves.
9. Don’t do their work for them.
10. Don’t do their work for them. This is worth repeating.  Help them do their work, but it is their work.