Many of the issues that arise with employees actually have a root cause with the supervisor rather than with the employee. Yes, I believe supervisors create supervision problems as often as staff do!
Supervisors who fail to set clear expectations for their employees are responsible for the miscommunication that results. The same is true for leaders who do not give clear guidance on priorities or provide the resources necessary for staff to succeed: those failures I attribute to the supervisor.
More of the issues occur because supervisors fail to hold their staff accountable, usually because they themselves are uncomfortable with conflict. By avoiding immediate confrontation, the supervisors allow poor performance to continue until it becomes impossible to ignore. By this point, the situation is often irreparable and the employee pays the price for the supervisor’s neglect.
Colin Powell said: “Leaders who do not have the guts to immediately correct minor errors or shortcomings cannot be counted on to have the guts to deal with the big things.” It’s harsh, but true.
if you’re a supervisor, do some serious reflection about your role with your “problem staff.” Have you been clear in your expectations and hold people accountable for meeting them? Have you provided the tools and information necessary to accomplish the work? Do you provide timely feedback while there is still time for a course correction?
Look inward to correct your own problems before you attribute your concerns to staff.
