The First 90 Days as a New Supervisor: Key Steps for Success

The first 90 days are crucial for new supervisors. They lay the groundwork for your

leadership style and your team’s success. Here are three key steps to help you navigate this pivotal period effectively:

1. Build Trust Early

Trust is the foundation of every great team. You can start to build trust within your team by:

• Listening & Establishing Open Communication: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with each team member during your initial weeks. These meetings allow you to listen to their perspectives, understand their challenges, and learn what they value in leadership.

• Encouraging Feedback: Foster a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions. Showing that their input matters contributes to building trust.

• Being Genuine: Show empathy and understanding in your interactions. Let your team know you're not just a supervisor but also a supporter and advocate for their success.

2. Set Clear Expectations

Without clear goals, your team may feel uncertain or directionless, which can lead to frustration and disengagement. You can set clear expectations to ensure your team's success by: 

• Communicating Goals: Clearly outline your performance goals and team objectives from the start. Ensure everyone understands their roles and how they impact the larger organizational picture.

• Providing Regular Feedback: Don’t wait for problems to arise to give feedback. Offer consistent, constructive feedback to keep your team motivated and on track. Remember to recognize their successes, which reinforces positive behavior.

• Supporting Growth: Your role isn’t just about assigning tasks. It's about facilitating your team's growth and development. Set the standard for open communication and continuous improvement.

3. Manage Relationships Up and Down

Managing up builds trust with your leaders while managing down shows your team that you're in control and have their best interests at heart. You can do both effectively by:

• Aligning Priorities with Organizational Goals: Ensure that your team’s objectives are in sync with the broader goals of the organization. Doing so helps demonstrate your understanding of the bigger picture to both management and your team.

• Proactively Communicating: Regularly share updates on progress, challenges, and proposed solutions with your manager to show initiative and keep them informed. Continue communication will help you foster trust and transparency with your manager.

• Balancing Team Needs and Leadership Expectations: Be attentive to your team’s needs while also being mindful of your leaders' expectations. Doing this showcases your capability to manage effectively in both directions and will build your credibility at multiple levels.

Starting a new supervisory role is both exciting and challenging, but with the right tools, anyone can become a great leader. In the first 90 days, focus on building trust through open communication, setting clear expectations, and managing relationships effectively. Be confident and proactive to foster a positive team dynamic.

At Prositions, we offer a variety of training courses to help you and your employees develop their leadership skills. For more information about our “New Supervisor Course” series or other leadership training videos, call 877-244-8848, email info@prositions.com, or schedule a meeting with us on Calendly.