The Supervisor

Any one working for any industry who started in a low ranking position have experienced under the management of its supervisor/s. These people are one of the key personnel in the life of its subordinates' career path. They are the one who unconsciously mold the thinking and actions of the people under him or her. They are the link between the upper management and the rank and file workers of a said organization. The supervisor can upgrade and inspire a rank and file personnel in terms of working attitude and views towards life or degrade it and demoralize that person or even still would pose as a nothing and stagnant to the working environment.

There are different kinds of supervisor that I have encountered now and in the past several years as a member of the working industry. The following are the different supervisor and their relationship towards its subordinates.

The Technical Supervisors - This type utilizes their skills particularly in the field that they manage in view of his team. These supervisors possesses skills and knowledge more than his or her men acquired abilities. He can do more almost most of the time what his subordinates can and can effortlessly explain technical theories regarding work. He leads by setting himself as an example. He can do work as part of the working team and rely mainly on his team somewhat for their manpower. This type of supervisor can inspire his team. He is very-well known towards other technical guys and operators but not so in the higher management for he is usually always on the work and can be barely make detailed reports with his name on it. This is one indispensable guy in terms of industry's operations.

The Signatory Supervisors - Yes, that's what they do. They just sign documents. These people are the major demoralizers of the department they are in to. These type of supervisors have lots of 'friends' from the upper management because they do it on paper. And paper can last for several years. They are almost always untechnical and rely mostly on the output of its subordinates. They cannot withstand being alone in the work area for fear that a job order might come in an emergency status and he is the only there to attend work to and has no-how of the job. These type of supervisors usually get the merit for their men's output. Are you one of them?
The Seminarian - Yeah, you heard it right. This one attends seminars for most of the time of his work schedule. This type is barely in his office and is always attending conferences and seminars either on technical or work enhancement programs. He is 'securing' his future if you know what I mean. The workers on the other hand are now practicing "Can work without supervision". It's up to the supervisor to apply what he learned during those times.

The Call Center Agent - This person answers calls and almost most of the time! He is always by the phone and be the first one to grab it when it rings. He stays by his table and just chatter away the time. I wonder what in the phone?

The Be One of Us - This guy has strategy. And his strategy could be his rise or fall. He is willing to be with his guys through thick and not so thin. He tolerates mistakes and allow it within his premises for fear that his men would go on sit down strike. What I mean is that type of supervisor would allow his men to do anything as long as they do their work very well when ordered to and be not caught by the higher management. Once one of his would get caught though, he always comes out clean and would never know anything about it once questioned. Do you know some who is like this? Let me know!

I am In-Command, do you HEAR? - This guy shows power! He can shout and point a finger at you for a job not well done. His men are always in fear that he might report something to the higher management which can either put disciplinary actions toward someone. He cannot expect to put to action the full potential of his team though. This usually happens when the age gap between the supervisor and its rank and file personnel are a bit wide.

These are the types of supervisors that I have encountered with yet either directly or indirectly. Each has its own advantage and disadvantage. One can be a mix of two or three or four of these qualities. Do you have other kinds as well? Or are you one of them? Smile...