Send a Supervision Questionnaire
Include the cutesy get-to-know-you things like favorite color and favorite snack, but also ask about how a supervisee likes to receive feedback or praise!
Add birthdays to your calendar (and maybe write birthday cards!)
Check first with a supervisee if they like to celebrate their birthday (insert it into that supervision questionnaire!). If they are on board for birthday recognition, your card could go something like this: “Happy Birthday [name]! I am so thankful that I get the opportunity to work with you this year! One of my favorite memories with you has been xyz (or) Something I have admired about you this year has been xyz. Cheers to the rest of the year together!”
Create a 1:1 template
Ask about the tasks that need follow up about each week but also make space to yap about supervisees’ personal lives – anything they are willing/interested in sharing!
Plan for your week before it happens
Check out your Calendar at the beginning of each week to make sure you have enough time scheduled for each task that needs to get completed. Make sure you aren’t double-booked and if you are – reschedule ahead of time! This will help you to stay on top of all the tasks that you need to complete and focus on supporting the students by being present for them.
Clean your office
If you’re anything like me, the messiness of my office is directly correlated to my stress levels and how in control of my work I feel. Keeping a clean office can help you stay organized and hopefully help decrease a little bit of stress by controlling what you can!
Plan time off
You probably don’t need me to tell you that working with no time off can lead to burnout. If you love a long vacation, plan something you can look forward to throughout the year! If you aren’t into traveling, schedule one day off each month for a stay-cation that you can look forward to. Taking care of yourself will help you to show up at your best for the people you supervise (and will role model to them that they should be doing the same thing!)
Order supplies that are getting low or you know always get low
I have a supply storage area where I store extra blue tape, construction paper, and laminating sheets because I know they always run out quickly! Once I run out in my back-up supply, I order more so the staff I supervise never run out (especially during busy periods like move-in!).
Put your phone/laptop away during 1:1s
Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation with someone and in the middle of it they hop on their phone? It’s the #1 way for me to feel like someone is disengaging and doesn’t actually care about what I am saying. Don’t do this to your supervisees unless you truly have an emergency! Communicate ahead of time if you might have to take a phone call in a 1:1, otherwise, your job is to listen and pay attention to your supervisee, NOT your phone.
Ask follow-up questions
If a supervisee tells you about something cool they did, ask them about it later on! Or ask about the book they just finished or the exam they just took. Asking follow-up questions helps your supervisees know that you 1) care and 2) were listening and paying attention to them during their 1:1s.
Say hi when you see supervisees and be excited when you see them
This might be a no-brainer, but if you don’t act excited to see a supervisee, they won’t be excited to see you. Say hello when you see them outside of work and take that opportunity to build rapport with them!
Tell your supervisee when they are doing a good job!
Utilize the supervision questionnaire and provide praise to your supervisee in the way they prefer! Public, private, verbal, written praise are all great ways to let them know that they are doing great work.
Be the PR team for the staff you supervise
Your staff member might not ever win an award, unless you nominate them for it. Your staff member might never get recognized for amazing work that they do, unless you share with mid- and upper- leadership members that they are consistently exceeding expectations. Hyping up individuals you supervise will help them feel seen and valued. Speaking highly of them in spaces that they aren’t in will help them gain recognition across your department.
