During a supervisors day, a hundred e-mails, one meeting after another, one staff members' mistake and ones' accomplishment can consume the day in the life of a manager. And that doesn't include any personal problems that goes on behind the scenes.
One of the problems in the workplace is the be here now attitude which is extremely important and creates a multitude of successes but not always realistic. A retired director in the plastics industry commented that in any corporate environment, we always have more than we can sometimes handle and it is essential to recognize lack of focus and acknowledge it in apostive manner rather than with consequences. Once again, looking beyond business at hand because if key managers attention are elsewhere, the decisions they are forced to make when they are not quite there in the moment could be poor ones.
When walking into a colleagues office, he made a point of being intuitively aware of where that manager or employee was before he addressed an issue or concern. If he noticed the deer in the headlight look when addressing that individual, his response generally, unless an urgent matter, was I'll be back when your mind is available. Not come and see me when your available. I will return when you are in a better place. Since he came in unnanounced, he does not expect his employees to race to him or give the impression that they should be at his beck and call.
Many hide behind their problems by making a good show but his comment also shows the employee, that, yes, he or she is not there in the moment, it has been noticed and maybe I need to somehow direct my mind to the workplace rather than the financial or family problems that are invading my thoughts. But how kind he is to give me time and understanding to re-direct my thinking.
A strong supervisor is alway cognizant of his staff's mindset and should respect their humanity. It is not about him or her interrupting a situation, saying sorry for the approach but expecting an answer regardless of where the employee is at the time. A compassionate supervisor realizes that everyone has a life that is not always a bed a roses and as much as we try, our wandering minds are not always in the place they should be. That doesn't make them unworthy only human.
One supervisor commented that not everyone can be at 100% all the time and that is when they, themselves, along with other team members have to step up and help that employee that is dragging behind. The employee that is slow to get back in the game generally does so and assists the next one whose mind is on vacation.
Comments