if i want to be a supervisor, i need to learn to keep my cool.

[sammyg2]

To supervise and manage people well you need to be an actor, you are playing a role.

Your core values, your morals, you principals still apply, they should never ever be compromised. But you simply cannot act as your true self! You need to project a person that is professional, caring, firm, strong, and free from emotional drawbacks.

It is draining and takes a great deal of effort but you need to define clearly what a perfect supervisor is, and then play that role. Most importantly, take the personal emotion out of it.

To me, it is all about logic and doing the right thing always no matter what, and explain that. trust between co-workers, letting them know that you are not out to screw them or take advantage of them but you will show them the same professional courtesy and respect that they provide you.

Always look for the win-win solution, do not avoid confrontation but instead prevent it. Diffuse it. control it.
There is no need for confrontation if you are good.
I can control people and situations and events, by being prepared and acting a certain way.
The force has a strong influence on the weak minded. If someone is confrontational or emotional, I own him.
I react with calm, a smile, confidence, no knee-jerk reaction. Just a "go ahead and tell me what's on your mind, I'll listen.
Often I'll use silence as a tool. Just listen, look at them, and don't say a thing. Awkward pauses are very powerful. They'll usually keep talking, and then say something like i see your side but .... eventually they'll turn to being reasonable and often start arguing against their own position.
if you react to aggression with aggression, you lose. He is controling you.
Being firm, confident, patient, and quiet are all very powerful tools.
If a guy gets in your face, stand your ground, put your hands behind you in a non-confrontational stance, and listen with a look of sincere interest, concern or concentration as if you are intently listening.
D not interrupt, do not argue, lust listen and wait for the uncomfortable pause.
Wait him out and you are in control. Then do the "so what you are saying is this" game. Then be quiet! Let him get uncomfortable, let him back down on his own.
Often when he hears his own argument he'll back off as he realizes it's over the top. He'll start compromising, softening his stance, all by himself.

YOU ARE IN CONTROL!

The people that work for me are union.
In the past two years, I have had zero grievances filed in my departments, when there were two per month prior to my taking over.

Why? Because I refuse to let it get to a me vs. them situation.
They know the company's official stance, I know theirs, but we throw that out the window and focus on "what's really the right thing to do?"

I have a union steward that is very close to me work-wise. We discuss things, we share information, we do not hide anything from each other, no games allowed.
For that we cooperate and find that win-win.
We work it out and see each others situation, we don't negotiate or compromise, we discuss and eventually agree on what is the right thing for everyone.
We trust each others judgment, we understand each other, we work together to solve and prevent problems instead of creating them.

Respect and logic, no emotion other than showing that you really care about their success.

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

There it is.

I can be a dick or not, pretty much the other persons call. I react to meet the mission, business or otherwise.

Being angry does not mean lack of control...often quite the opposite.

Thanks Seahawk! You nailed what I was trying to say with a whole lot fewer words. I reckon one helicopter guy can pretty well figure out another one!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

Thanks Seahawk! You nailed what I was trying to say with a whole lot fewer words. I reckon one helicopter guy can pretty well figure out another one!

Welcome, Larry!

There are some stiff wing pilots here, so act accordingly

Crestview VOR.

[944Larry]

Yep Sammy, Another boy and I were sent up to Greeley Colorado to help on an oil terminal. We had no equipment, hardly any tools and were sent to do some small things not required to be done by the primary contractor. They were all union and we were not. I expected a tough go of it all. They turned out to be the best guys to work with I've ever seen. Easiest duty I've ever had. They loaned us equipment, tools and even did labor if we got in a bind and needed a hand. Spent about 4 months up there. I sure hated to leave!

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Welcome, Larry!

There are some stiff wing pilots here, so act accordingly

Crestview VOR.

Well actually, I'm dual-rated so I can tell tall tales with either bunch! You must have trained over at Whiting if you are familiar with Crestview VOR. If you've ever landed here at Crestview you flew base leg right over my house.