Dear Santa Supervisor, santa supervisor santa supervisor santa supervisor
I have been a good worker this year. I have met all of my goals and even exceeded some of them. I filled in when we were short-staffed, taking on additional assignments and working extra hours (without any extra pay, I might add). I ate a lot of lunches at my desk to make sure I finished everything on time. I helped train the new staff member, even though that’s not really my job. I gave up a couple of my weekends when we were up against tight deadlines. I missed a lot of time with my family and my only reward for this so far has been additional tasks and assignments.
This year, especially, with all the changes and challenges brought on by the pandemic, has taken a toll. Working from home, trying to balance my professional and personal life, learning all the new technology, managing my own mental, physical and emotional health and maintaining my peace of mind has been challenging to say the least. It has been quite a year!
Because I was so good this year, I think I should be on your nice list. I know it seems like I’m asking for a lot, but I think I have earned it. And, quite frankly, Santa Supervisor, this is your job. I’m simply asking that you support me and help me grow. I’m asking that you be a strong supervisor. You can do this by giving me:
* Your recognition. I love what I do and I work really hard at it. Most of the time, just knowing I’m doing a good job is enough. But sometimes, it would be really nice to know that you recognize and acknowledge my good work too. A simple thank you goes a really long way. It lets me know you appreciate me. It shows me that I am both valued and valuable. It makes me want to contribute more.
* The opportunity to grow. I like my role and I think I do it well, but I always want to do better. Please invest in me and give me the training and support I need to learn and grow. Invest in my growth. Provide me with professional development. Let me work with a coach. Connect me with a mentor. Give me what I need to improve. This growth will not only help me, but it will help me do my job better too.
* The resources I need. My computer freezes all the time. The internet comes and goes. The printer seems to know when we are on a tight deadline and is especially difficult as a result. I often have to wait weeks for supplies I need. All of these make it hard to do my work effectively. Give me what I need to do my job and watch me go.
* Feedback. Just because I do my job well, doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear that. Just because I do my job well, doesn’t mean I can’t do it better. I know that giving feedback can be difficult, but I also know how valuable it is (and, if I may, that it is part of your job as my supervisor.) Give me feedback. A lot. Good and bad. I can take it. I want to hear it. Help me grow.
* An understanding of how I fit in. I know I am just one of many people who work for you. I know our department is just one of many departments in our organization. I need to know how I fit into the bigger picture. I need to know that my work matters and how. I need to understand how I’m making a difference. This will help keep me motivated and focused. This will keep me loyal and invested.
* Clear expectations. Sometimes it’s not clear to me what you expect of me and this leaves me anxious and confused. In some cases, I have been criticized and admonished for things I didn’t even know I was supposed to be doing (or not doing). Please don’t assume we are on the same page. Communicate with me and be clear. I will always do what is expected of me but I need to know what that is.
* New tasks and responsibilities. Making my job fresh and exciting will keep me invested in my work. New tasks and responsibilities will help me stretch and grow. This will keep me from getting bored and will inspire me to take risks. It will increase my confidence. It will help me be a better employee.
* The chance to shine. I know my strengths. I hope you do too. Give me the chance to showcase them. Let me do what I do best. Let me contribute to the team by sharing my gifts. Provide me an opportunity to share and teach those gifts to other staff. Help me feel successful and important. Give me the stage and watch me shine.
* Transparency and honesty. I am a professional and an adult. I don’t need to be protected or coddled. I want to be included in what is going on. I understand you can’t tell me everything but you don’t have to lie to me and keep me in the dark unnecessarily. Be upfront and honest with me. Let me know what is happening in the organization and how it affects me. Let me know how I can help.
* A voice. I know you have the power to make decisions without me, but I don’t want to work somewhere where I am expected to keep my mouth shut and simply obey orders. I want to have input and voice into what is going on. I want to share my thoughts and ideas. I understand they won’t always be implemented. I just ask that they are heard and legitimately considered.
* Respect. I know your position is higher than mine. I know you have power over me. But I don’t want you to make me feel inferior because of it. I want you to appreciate that I have something to offer. That I know some things you don’t know and that I can do some things that you can’t do. I will give you respect and I ask for the same in return.
* A balance between autonomy and support. Don’t ignore me because I do my job independently and well. Paying attention to me is not micromanaging. It shows me that you value me. Let me know I’m doing a good job. Ask me what I need. Help me when I need it. When I have what I need, let me do what I do. Work at finding this balance. I know it’s a tricky one.
* Care. Learn who I am. I know you have a lot of employees and that it takes time to get to know all of us. Make the time. It’s important to us that you care about us as people and not just employees. Ask about our vacation and our new koi pond. Don’t buy us a cup of coffee when we only drink tea. Learn how we communicate and work and operate. It takes a lot of time and effort but it will make our team work so much better together when we get there.
* Flexibility. We all have lives outside of work. These lives are different. Some of us have kids and ailing parents and a puppy with a bladder problem. Some of us have other jobs. Some of us have unnaturally long commutes. Some of us are early morning people and some of us work better in the afternoon. When possible, provide us the flexibility to work in a way and within a schedule that fits into the rest of our lives. This may mean working from home, or working flex hours. Be open and creative. We will appreciate it and will stick around longer because of it.
* Fair compensation. Don’t try to hire me for as cheaply as you can. Don’t wait until I get another offer to try and keep me around. Don’t compensate me differently because of my race or my gender or any other demographic. When I have earned it, give me raises, bonuses, extra vacation days and other perks. Understand that money isn’t everything but it is most certainly something.
I know this list is long, Santa Supervisor, but I know you are a strong leader and I know you can do it. I promise if you give me the things on this list, I will give you the best of me. I will work hard. I will stick around.
Sincerely,
Your Staff
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