In my work, I meet so many talented employees who are transitioning from operational roles and taking up supervisory positions within their companies. This transition marks a significant milestone in a person’s, bringing with it a host of challenges and benefits. Moving from an operator role to a supervisory role requires a shift in responsibilities, mindset, and skills. In this blog, I will explore typical challenges that are experienced by many operators in this situation, and I will outline the benefits gained once the decision is made.
There are many benefits to an employee who steps up and takes on a supervisory role:
- Career Growth and Development: Stepping up from an operator to a supervisory role opens up new avenues for career growth. It provides an opportunity to broaden your skill set, gain valuable leadership experience, and enhance your professional profile. Being in a supervisory position can position you for further advancement within the organization.
- Increased Influence and Impact: As a supervisor, you have the power to make a significant impact on your team and the organization as a whole. You can shape the team’s culture, provide guidance and mentorship, and drive performance improvements. The ability to influence and contribute to strategic decisions is empowering.
- Expanded Skill Set: Supervisory roles require a diverse skill set that goes beyond technical expertise. You’ll develop skills such as communication, delegation, problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic thinking. These skills are transferable and valuable in any future leadership role.
- Personal Growth and Learning: as I mentioned above taking on a supervisory role often involves pushing your limits and embracing new challenges. This personal growth can lead to increased self-confidence, resilience, and adaptability. You’ll learn from both successes and failures, becoming a more well-rounded professional.
- Recognition and Reward: Supervisory positions typically come with increased compensation and recognition. Your contributions to the team’s success will be acknowledged, and you may have access to additional perks and opportunities within the organization.
Here are some of my top tips for newly appointed supervisors:
Challenge Yourself: challenges bring us out of our comfort Zone; in accepting the challenge we are primed for growth and development. Therefore, my first tip is to be brave enough to set stretch goals for yourself in your new role. Beyond your comfort zone lies your stretch Zone which means that you are open to a world of possibilities.
Take time to adjusting to Your New Role and Responsibilities: Moving from an operator to a supervisor means taking on a new set of responsibilities, often with higher expectations. It involves overseeing a team, managing their performance, and ensuring the achievement of targets. The shift from being an individual contributor to being responsible for others can be daunting.
Develop Your Leadership Skills: Supervisory roles demand strong leadership skills. As a supervisor, you will need to motivate and inspire your team, delegate tasks effectively, resolve conflicts, and provide guidance and direction. Developing these skills takes time and experience, and it can be challenging to strike the right balance between being a team member and a leader. Finding a reliable coach or mentor can be very helpful at this stage of your development.
Learn to Manage Interpersonal Dynamics: Supervisors must navigate complex interpersonal relationships within their team. This includes managing conflicts, addressing performance issues, and fostering collaboration. It can be challenging to establish authority while maintaining positive working relationships with former peers. For this element ensure that you have sufficient experience or qualifications – if you believe that you need something additional here be sure to ask for help from your new line manager – there are many courses out there and in-house that will help you to hone your vital interpersonal and communication skills.
Time Management: This is an area that many newly appointed supervisors struggle with. As a new supervisor, your time will be divided between managing your own tasks and overseeing the work of your team. Balancing your own workload with the responsibilities of supervising others can be demanding, requiring effective time management and prioritisation skills. Similar to the point above a short training workshop might be useful to help you to define your strengths and weaknesses in this area.
Transitioning from an operator role to a supervisory role is an exciting but demanding journey. While challenges such as adjusting to new responsibilities and developing leadership skills may arise, the benefits are numerous. Career growth, increased influence, expanded skill set, personal growth, and recognition are just a few of the rewards that come with stepping up to a supervisory position. Embracing these challenges and leveraging the opportunities can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in leadership.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of Supervisory Management training or associated skills-specific workshops please feel free to email me at janet@newlinkstraining.com or Mobile: 086 3897409
Janet Tumulty