We have all heard the saying, “Employees don’t leave companies, they leave supervisors.” The impact that a supervisor has in today’s workplace can be either very valuable or very costly to an organization. When a worker becomes promoted to a new supervisor position, it may be new territory. How do I supervise? Motivate? Engage my employees? Without the proper training during that transition process organizations may end up losing productivity and ultimately affecting the success of the company. These are mistakes that organizations simply cannot ignore.

Take a look at these top mistakes made as well as possible responses from employees they supervise.

Top 10 Mistakes of New Supervisors

  • Seizing power and attempting to hold onto it.
  • Failing to solicit feedback.
  • Delegating without authorizing.
  • Reprimanding employees in the presence of others.
  • Supervising everyone the same way.
  • Keeping the interesting work for themselves.
  • Siding with team members.
  • Distancing themselves from those they supervise.
  • Promoting an us versus them attitude.
  • Engaging in illegal behaviors.

Potential Responses:

  • Low employee morale
  • Loss of respect from superiors
  • Low productivity
  • Legal ramifications
  • Poor individual performance
  • Negative career impact
  • Lack of organizational trust

The good news is that it can be turned around.  Most leaders are not born with these skills, they can be taught. For any supervisor, training is the key to success when it comes to delegating, motivating, delivering criticism, training new employees and organizing people, projects, and schedules. There are many new skills a supervisor must obtain in a short amount of time. A strategic supervisory training program or workshop can help address any skill gaps and identify individual strengths and weaknesses. A good boss can be a powerful catalyst in organization, providing a good work environment for employees; serving as motivators, innovators and leaders who inspire team members to achieve great things.