"Stand In" Supervisor...Advice Needed

Lorri_L

Hey,

I've been given an oppurtunity in work to supervise the team I work with while the boss is on leave until the middle of Jan. Its purely that I'll be doing all the extra work she has plus my own but I'm happy about it. Its a chance for me to prove myself.

Problem is that I'm friends with people I work with and one in particular doesn't seem happy that I got it over her. I'm worried that when I start (tomorrow), she'll push me and try not listen to me. I don't want to be an ass to my colleagues but as I said, I want to prove I'm well capable of doing this job.

Does anyone have any advise on how I could go about it?

Thanks!
Lorri

AARRRGH

Did you discuss this potential issue with your manager before she left?

Lorri_L

Yeah but she just said it as I've a job to do, this is a chance for me, and dont let things like that screw it up. She didnt actually give any advise on how not to rub people up the wrong way when they've aleady decided not to make it easy for me.

AARRRGH

If the people in your office are competent and will do the work anyway, I would pretty much do no supervising at all. The "hands off" approach can't rub people the wrong way

In my office a stand in Manager was moved from one team to mine. He was a micromanager. It was horrendous and now everyone despises him...

Lorri_L

Thats really my plan. They are competent but rip the p*ss whenever possible. This could be what will happen for the next few weeks amd that worries me too. My plan at the mo is to just do what I do, keep my mouth shut. If I notice one of the slacking off, tell them to get their arse in gear, then go back to keeping my mouth shut. Im so bloody scared about it, but it will probably be fine.
All I can see in my head is worst case scenarios!

AARRRGH

I'm not sure if it's a bad or good time to be taking responsibility, you know, with it being Christmas and all that. I would imagine most people in your office aren't running at full speed!

Good luck with it anyway

Lorri_L

Yeah I know. Thanks for the advice though!

the_syco

A few things:

You can't be a boss and a friend. Be too friendly, and they may not take you seriously.

The "b|tch" wasn't picked, you were. She may think she's better than you, but in the end of the day, you're the boss (but don't let it get to your head:D)

Jo King

The best thing to do is go the heavy the first time something happens. Tell whoever it is that there is no more Mrs. Nice Guy. When the opportunity arises afterwards do the person a favour. Then they won't think you are too bad.
It is pointless being in any way apologetic until you have got their attention and know that you will take no nonsense!

AARRRGH

Jo King wrote: »

The best thing to do is go the heavy the first time something happens. Tell whoever it is that there is no more Mrs. Nice Guy.

This could result in her being hated though. It is just a temporary position...