This week I had to think about a person someone who exhibits competent communication and the one person who comes to mind in my Supervisor Lisa. Usually I have supervisors who are not effective communicators, so when I met Lisa I was very surprised.
What makes Lisa a competent communicator is that she not only listens, but she respects different point of views. Often a supervisor is really about their own agenda, but Lisa is not like that, she welcomes our thoughts and opinions, and it's great to see our suggestions in the final product.
I have learn a lot from Lisa because she effectively communicates with all of her employees, and it really makes our careers and routines easier. I don't think that I could model some effective communication skills, because she already does it. For example, I had a suggestion about the training that we give. When I called her and shared my suggestion, she listen, shared with me some of her concerns about my suggestion. We had a conversation about my suggestion, and we made a compromise. For the training, aspects of my suggestion was done, but because we had a compromise, some parts of the training stayed the same.
It is a good feeling when you have a supervisor who does effective communication, it makes the process so much smoother.
Cierra,
ReplyDeleteI believe being a competent communicator is a key characteristic to being a good leader, so it's great to see that you have found that in your supervisor. Supervisor's must know how to listen and this helps the staff feel respected and appreciated. Obviously, this seems to have been the case for you in your past since you were surprised by Lisa's ability to communicate so well. I hope you continue to go far in your career field with Lisa to help back you up.
Sheymirra
Hello Cierra,
ReplyDeleteI have had supervisors that are like that who do not wish to communicate will with you. It seems as if their opinions are the only ones that matter until something falls through and then you would think it would make them realize different views but some people however it does not. That is great that you are able to communicate with someone on a relatively understanding basis. Great Post
Kim
Cierra,
ReplyDeleteLisa sounds like a great supervisor! I like the fact that she reflects on different points of views when she makes her final decision on things. Also that you could see your suggestions in the final product. Communicating effectively sometimes takes a lot of hard work and it doesn't come that easy to many supervisors sadly. I think management usually looks at supervisors in a way that they can bring business in and they forget about the daily operation of staff. I am one that I try to be very balanced with my staff because some people will test your limits. I try to be fair and never give in to gossip. Great blog!
Hi Cierra,
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to read you felt your supervisor is a competent communicator. Unfortunately, and for whatever reason, it seems too often that supervisors in the early childhood field are not great communicators, and I have worked with a few of them! Because I have worked with some very poor communicating supervisors, I strive to be one like you talk about. It's such a great feeling to work with someone who is a team player, but still is able to take the role of supervisor responsibly. I'm glad you get to work with someone like Lisa!