The World Needs A Few Less Supervisors

Yup, that one got your attention. Now don't get me wrong, I believe that the body should be there, just not that particular title. I spend an inordinate amount of time sitting across from clients explaining the subtle differences between 'Supervisor' and 'Team Leader'.

I guess the reason I am off on this jag is the fact that I'm sitting in a lobby in a hotel in the southern part of The Netherlands, having just met a consultant from Portland Oregon, who went on and on about how much he didn't want to be here too long. He was here because his client just couldn't get anything done. Now I'm no Geography major.. but I'm pretty sure that Portland is halfway around the world. Does you company need to hire consultants from around the world to do the work for your company? Sure, sure, WE travel. The difference is.. we light fires. When we leave, the client is EXCITED to do the work. We make them passionate about what they do.. we don't do the work for them.

I guess that it doesn't help the situation that I also happen to be halfway through 'A Bias for Action' (couldn't sleep on the plane).

So back to my point... companies that institute control measures for their employees kill their organizational 'bias for action'. If you call someone a supervisor, they tend to supervise. If you call them 'Team Leader' there is a whole new expectation. Sure, call it semantics. If you don't believe me, try it for a month. Heck, give each Supervisor the option of either title. If nothing else, you'll quickly learn who your key Supervisors are.

The bottom line, is that your employees CHOSE to work for you. Lead them. Grow them. Give them challenges. You'll be surprised how much you get accomplished.

I know, it's radical. Call me a Trailblazer.