Promoted to Supervisor: How Can I Overcome Inherited Team Challenges Without Being a Drill Sergeant?

I was recently promoted to supervisor within my company. Our department deals with phone work and applications/contracts. My problem is I am inheriting a lot of baggage from the previous supervisor and am at my wits' end in making the bad habits stop. These include laziness, lack of teamwork, and tons of personality conflicts. I have tried extra motivations and incentives, and for every step forward we take as a department, we go back 3. Anyone have some ideas, short of being "Ms. Drill Sergeant," that I can do to make this department thrive. The potential is there, I just don't see an end to these problems. Any advice/ideas are greatly appreciated.

Vickie

Hi Vickie,

If possible, get to know about the Fish Philosophy or read the book named Fish. Maybe it would give you some ideas on finding out what is lacking in your department and how to bring vigor to your colleagues' work. Maybe some of them do not even feel like coming to work and just end up at the office to clock in the hours or for the sake of supporting their families. Get to know your colleagues better. Allow them to open up to you on all sorts of things, whether personal or official. That will also bring about some change in their perspective.

Regards,
Vani

You are the "new sheriff in town". Exert your authority. End the era of "feeling good" and focus on the responsibilities of providing service to your stakeholders.

I would recommend that you hold a meeting with your subordinates and point out what you have observed: laziness, lack of teamwork, and tons of personality conflicts. Outline your expectations. Indicate that you are there to assist in resolving problems (in problem-solving sessions, one-on-one, or in groups encourage the employees to come up with solutions - they will more readily 'buy into' implementation), and listen to suggestions on how to make the workplace more efficient and effective.

Explain that noncompliance will result in discipline (for the purpose of rehabilitation and correcting unacceptable behavior, not retribution), in four steps for minor infractions: Verbal counseling, written warning, suspension (usually 3 days starting on Tuesday - no reason to provide an extended weekend), and submission of an undated letter of resignation (date to be filled in by you at a later time if necessary).

In serious cases, such as insubordination, fighting, destruction of property, being under the influence of alcohol/drugs, etc., immediate discharge is warranted.

Keep the Human Resources Department apprised of your intended actions before you take them; HR may have some alternative recommendations.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your replies. I have investigated the FISH philosophy (which comes highly recommended from various sources) and have put in a request for the company to purchase the program. I have also been researching some alternate employee/employer relation sites for suggestions as well. As with life, some days are better than others but it seems that any change, no matter how small and inconsequential, is a major source of department stress. Is this normal everywhere? The company I work for is all about promoting a positive attitude to get positive results, and sometimes I think the department as a whole unit is getting bored with it. I have looked into other ways to motivate and praise, with snacks and candy being the most popular. And I have to say that the support and information available here are most helpful.

As always, input is appreciated.

Vickie