Supervising is not about giving orders - it's about engaging your staff

This post came out from The Straits Times (28 June 2012)
Title - Try a little kindness

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Be a coach and cheerleader
2. Help them to achieve great work results
3. Care for your employees

On Be a coach and cheerleader

• Lead and manage your employees with authority, not fear. Let them know that they do not have to fear you if they have put in their best efforts. Communicate more with them and work together to solve work problems.
• Teach and share your knowledge and skills with your employees. Coach them to deliver better work performance at the workplace.
• Motivate employees to do their best through empowerment and delegation. If they are demoralised by setbacks, cheer them up with pep talks and inspire them with your motivational stories.

On Help them to achieve great work results

• Set stretching goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) and work expectations
• Be fair and constructive in managing their work performance
• Recognise, compliment and rewards great work performance
• Penalise mediocre work performance

On Care for your employees

• Talk to them regularly and pay close attention to their well being
• Visit them if they are sick or have been hospitalised
• Offer a listening ear to hear their problems, whether they are work related and personal 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big