As you can tell by the title of this blog topic, I haven't ever been to a supervisor training session. That doesn't stop me from being a supervisor or from having been responsible for the work of different groups of employees.
At one point in my career, I thought I was really a hotshot because I was second in command over a group of about 100 people. I might have lost perspective, except for a relative who explained my role to me. "You're a piece of a boss," she said. I don't know how many people you have to supervise to be an "entire" boss, but even if you're responsible for the work of one other person, even occasionally, you qualify as being a "piece" of a boss.
In my position at The Missouri Bar, I supervise a couple of people and am in turn supervised by someone else. Was it Bob Dylan who said, "We all serve someone"? I agree.
You may answer the phone for someone else, i.e., a lawyer -- but the lawyer you work for either works for other lawyers or works directly for a client. The client may own his/her own business, but unless the business serves the needs of someone else, it won't exist long.
Which brings me back to the title of this blog article. Have you ever worked for a supervisor who would act as if you and any idea you had were worthwhile, but who, despite the act, occasionally revealed a real streak of "Me, Supervisor: You, Nothing"?
The trouble with supervisor training is that it doesn't take into account that when one person has power over another person in a work setting, weird personal dynamics seep into the relationship. For someone who has a deep-seated need to lord it over others, no amount of theory will turn him or her into a good supervisor.
I've been supervised enough in my life that I hope the rough edges of my personality have been worn smooth, and that I put into practice what I believe: The secret of surviving being a supervisor or of being supervised is simple -- just do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
