Ever tried riding a bike without a front wheel? Supervisors do it every day.

Supervisors who haven’t developed a strong, viable front wheel – the all-important people skills that drive engagement, never get to where they need to go. No matter how fast they pedal, if they don’t know how to inspire their reps to do their best and get them fully engaged they lag behind.Few supervisors are born with the right people skills, the rest need front-wheel training. Supervisors with a properly working front wheel and a strong rear wheel get to where they are going faster and with less effort.That said, if a supervisors’ front wheel only needs a tune-up and bit more air in the tire, here are a few tips.
7 Simple Tips to Tune Up Engagement & Performance
Tell your reps what you want and provide them a road map to get there. Never stop reinforcing the message.
2. Empathize.
Show you care. Make the effort to understand and acknowledge the feelings of others. (This applies to all your relationships.)
3. Ask more than tell.
You don’t need to come up with all the solutions, all the time. Your people are an excellent resource on ways to make things better. All you have to do is ask.
4. Control what you can. Let the rest go.
Focus on factors within your sphere of control. Make that work and try not to stress about the rest.
5. Be there.
As Woody Allen said, “80% of success if showing up.” To me, that means advocating for your people and doing the heavy lifting when required.
6. Be real.
If you’re going to talk the talk, walk the walk. Remember that people can tell when your are the real deal (and when you’re not.)
7. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Being able to laugh at yourself, or the absurdity of a situation, demonstrates maturity. It shows that you can see the big picture.
For those supervisors looking for more than tune-up, consider inviting me to facilitate one of my two (awesomely life-changing) training workshops on site, on a date that works for you. (Book now for October, November or early December) <Contact>
Be happy. Live fearlessly,
Barbara Burke