What Makes an Ideal Boss? Supporting Teams for Company Growth!

What kind of person is an “ideal supervisor”?

When you all become working professionals, your relationship with your supervisor will be very important for your work.

Your supervisor is someone who evaluates your work performance and sometimes gives you advice.

However, it seems there are supervisors who cannot adequately support their subordinates’ growth.

In fact, a survey revealed that many subordinates feel they lack sufficient support from their supervisors.

On the other hand, from the supervisor’s perspective, they also recognize that they are not providing adequate support to their subordinates.

So, what is necessary to become an ideal supervisor?

Supervisors are required to value communication with their subordinates and maintain an attitude of supporting their subordinates’ growth.

It is also important to listen to subordinates’ opinions and acknowledge and praise their efforts.

If you can work under such a supervisor, you should be able to find fulfillment in your work.

This time, let’s think together about the ideal supervisor image.

今回も、性格研究者で悪者図鑑著者のトキワ(@etokiwa999)が解説していきます。
※HEXACO-JP性格診断を開発しました！MBTIより科学的根拠があります。詳細は以下タップしてください。

※Research investigating what personality traits ideal supervisors have is also included here.

理想の上司の性格とは？部下をサポートする上司は成果も出る

What is an Ideal Supervisor? Support for Subordinates is Key

What Support Do Subordinates Seek from Supervisors

What subordinates most seek from supervisors is appropriate support.
Subordinates need support from their supervisors to carry out their duties.
In particular, the following types of support are considered important.

• Work-related advice and feedback
• Support for career development and human resource development
• Appropriate and flexible task allocation

Additionally, subordinates seek emotional support.
By having someone listen to their complaints or being encouraged, subordinates can maintain their motivation.
In other words, the support that subordinates seek includes both work-related and emotional aspects.
Supervisors are required to accurately understand their subordinates’ needs and provide appropriate support.
By doing so, subordinates will be able to work with peace of mind and demonstrate their performance.

Many Subordinates Feel Support from Supervisors is Insufficient

Many subordinates feel that support from their supervisors is insufficient.
According to a survey, items that subordinates think their supervisors are not taking sufficient action on include the following:

• Support for subordinates’ career development and human resource development
• Cost-conscious business operations and improvement/reform
• Appropriate and flexible task allocation

These results show that subordinates feel they are not receiving enough support from their supervisors.
On the other hand, how do things look from the supervisor’s perspective?
In fact, supervisors themselves also recognize that they are not providing adequate support to their subordinates.
In other words, there is a current situation where both subordinates and supervisors feel that support is insufficient.
Bridging this gap can be said to be important for creating a better work environment.

Supervisors Also Recognize That Their Support for Subordinates is Insufficient

Supervisors themselves also feel that they are not providing adequate support to their subordinates.
In a survey asking supervisors about areas where they feel they are not taking sufficient action themselves, “support for subordinates’ career development and human resource development” was the most common response.
This shows that while supervisors recognize the importance of supporting subordinates, they are aware that they are not actually providing sufficient support.
So why are supervisors unable to provide adequate support to their subordinates?
One possible reason is that supervisors themselves are too busy.
The reality may be that they are overwhelmed with their own work and cannot spare time to support their subordinates.
However, supporting subordinates is one of a supervisor’s important roles.
They are required to review their work priorities and secure time to dedicate to supporting subordinates.

Younger Employees Need More Support from Supervisors

Younger employees need more support from their supervisors.
For example, in a survey targeting second-year employees, many responded that the need to seek support from others had increased.
However, they perceive that work-related support from supervisors remains unchanged.
In other words, while young employees are seeking support, they feel that support from their supervisors is not sufficient.
This trend is not limited to young employees.
Employees with less career experience lack work-related knowledge and experience.
Therefore, they need advice and feedback from their supervisors.
Supervisors are required to actively provide support to help young employees grow.
By doing so, young employees will be able to approach their work with confidence.

What is “Supervisor Support” That Ideal Supervisors Provide?

Definition of Supervisor Support

Supervisor support refers to subordinates’ perceptions of how much their supervisors are supporting them.
Academically, it is defined as “subordinates’ perceptions of how much their supervisors are providing support.”
In other words, what matters is not how much supervisors are actually providing support, but how subordinates feel about it.
Supervisor support includes both work-related and emotional aspects.
On the work side, supervisors are required to support subordinates so they can proceed with their work smoothly.
Specifically, this includes providing advice and feedback, and allocating tasks appropriately.
On the emotional side, it is important to listen to subordinates’ concerns and encourage them.
Supervisor support is considered to have a significant impact on subordinates’ work comfort and motivation.

Ideal Supervisors: Subordinates’ Perceptions are Important

What’s important in supervisor support is the subordinate’s perception.
It’s not about how much the supervisor is actually providing support, but how the subordinate feels about it that matters.
For example, even if a supervisor is working hard to support their subordinate, if the subordinate doesn’t feel it’s sufficient, you can’t say the supervisor support is high.
Conversely, even if the supervisor’s support is limited, if the subordinate feels it’s sufficient, then supervisor support can be considered high.
In other words, to improve supervisor support, it’s necessary to focus on how subordinates feel.
For subordinates to highly evaluate supervisor support, the following points are considered important.

• Interest in achieving subordinates’ career goals
• Beneficial feedback on subordinates’ performance
• Appropriate evaluation of subordinates’ achievements

By focusing on these points, supervisors can enhance their subordinates’ perception.

The Ideal Supervisor: Instrumental Support and Emotional Support

Supervisor support can be divided into two types: instrumental support and emotional support.
Instrumental support refers to the assistance subordinates need to perform their duties.
Specifically, this includes advice and feedback related to work.
On the other hand, emotional support refers to supporting subordinates’ emotional aspects.
Listening to subordinates’ complaints or encouraging them falls under emotional support.
Supervisors are required to provide these two types of support in a balanced manner.
Instrumental support is important for enhancing subordinates’ ability to perform their duties.
By providing appropriate advice and feedback, subordinates can proceed with their work efficiently.
Emotional support is essential for maintaining subordinates’ motivation.
By empathizing with subordinates’ concerns and encouraging them, subordinates can work positively.
It’s important for supervisors to accurately understand their subordinates’ needs and provide appropriate support according to the situation.

The Ideal Supervisor: Impact of Supervisor Support on Company Satisfaction and Attachment

Supervisor support has a significant impact on subordinates’ company satisfaction and attachment.
When subordinates feel they are receiving sufficient support from their supervisor, not only does their impression of the supervisor improve, but they also feel supported by the company.
As a result, subordinates’ satisfaction with the company and work increases, and their attachment to the company deepens.
Conversely, when supervisor support is lacking, subordinates feel they are not receiving support from the company either.
This can lead to negative feelings toward the company and thoughts of wanting to leave.
In other words, supervisor support is an important factor that influences subordinates’ evaluation of the company.
Supervisors need to recognize that their actions affect subordinates’ company satisfaction and attachment, and provide appropriate support.
By doing so, they can enhance subordinates’ engagement and contribute to improving organizational productivity.

The Ideal Supervisor: Recognized as a Company Representative

Subordinates recognize supervisors as representatives of the company.
When supervisor support is lacking, subordinates feel they are not receiving support from the company either.
In other words, the supervisor’s actions directly impact subordinates’ evaluation of the company.
From this, it can be said that supervisors need to behave as representatives of the company.
Providing appropriate support to subordinates connects to embodying the company’s policies and values.
Conversely, if supervisor support is lacking, it could potentially damage the company’s reputation.
It’s important for supervisors to be aware that their actions influence the company’s image and focus on building relationships with subordinates.
By building trust with subordinates and providing appropriate support, they can enhance subordinates’ evaluation of the company.
Supervisors are required to value their relationships with subordinates as the face of the company.
They are expected to recognize the impact of their actions and contribute to both subordinates’ growth and the company’s development.

「リーダーの性格」向いてるのはどんな人？論文で解説！

What’s Needed to Become an Ideal Supervisor

The Ideal Supervisor: Finding Common Ground with Subordinates

For supervisors to support subordinates, it’s important to find common ground with them.
When supervisors and subordinates have similar experiences or are in similar situations, supervisors can feel closer to their subordinates.
This heightens the supervisor’s desire to support their subordinates.
The following are considered effective for finding common ground.

• Share each other’s experiences and backgrounds in casual conversations with subordinates
• Explore common hobbies or interests with subordinates
• Empathize with problems and concerns subordinates are facing

When supervisors recognize common ground with subordinates, their understanding of subordinates deepens.
This enables them to provide support that matches subordinates’ needs.
Finding common ground with subordinates is an important initiative for promoting supervisor support.
Supervisors are required to value communication with subordinates and explore common ground.

The Ideal Supervisor: Sharing Similar Experiences with Subordinates

Sharing similar experiences with subordinates is effective for promoting supervisor support.
For example, suppose the supervisor, like the subordinate, is also struggling with balancing work and family life.
This enables the supervisor to think from the subordinate’s perspective, heightening their desire to support the subordinate.
The following are considered important for sharing similar experiences with subordinates.

• Share your own experiences with subordinates
• Listen to subordinates’ experiences and empathize
• Provide advice based on your own experiences for problems subordinates are facing

When supervisors share similar experiences with subordinates, the distance between them narrows.
This makes it easier for subordinates to consult with supervisors and accept support from them.
Sharing similar experiences with subordinates is important for facilitating supervisor support smoothly.
Supervisors are required to share their experiences with subordinates and listen to subordinates’ experiences as well.
By doing so, they can build trust with subordinates and provide effective support.

The Ideal Supervisor: Creating a System for Companies to Evaluate Supervisor Support

Creating a system for companies to evaluate supervisor support is important for promoting supervisor support.
If there are systems that evaluate supervisor support, supervisors will make efforts to support their subordinates.
For example, the following initiatives can be considered.

• Include supervisor support as an item in personnel evaluations
• Regularly conduct evaluations from subordinates regarding supervisor support
• Recognize supervisors who are proactive in providing supervisor support

By creating such mechanisms, the importance of supervisor support will be recognized throughout the organization.
This will lead supervisors to focus on supporting their subordinates, improving workplace comfort and motivation for subordinates.
Creating mechanisms for companies to evaluate supervisor support is an initiative that leads to improved organizational productivity.
HR departments are required to work on system design to promote supervisor support.
By doing so, they can support the building of good relationships between supervisors and subordinates and promote organizational revitalization.

The Ideal Supervisor: Creating an Environment Where Supervisors Can Easily Support Their Subordinates

Creating an environment where supervisors can easily support their subordinates is essential for promoting supervisor support.
When infrastructure for providing supervisor support is in place, supervisors can become more proactive in supporting their subordinates.
Specifically, the following initiatives are considered effective.

• Provide supervisors with information about subordinate support
• Secure budgets for subordinate support
• Conduct training on subordinate support

By establishing such an environment, supervisors can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for subordinate support.
Additionally, by securing resources for subordinate support, supervisors will be able to focus on supporting their subordinates with peace of mind.
Creating an environment where supervisors can easily support their subordinates is important for improving the quality of supervisor support.
HR departments are required to work on environmental improvements to promote supervisor support.
By doing so, they can support collaboration between supervisors and subordinates and contribute to improved organizational performance.

Precautions for Supervisor Support

Possibility of Subordinates Concealing Supervisors’ Unethical Behavior

There is a possibility that subordinates may conceal their supervisors’ unethical behavior.
Subordinates who receive supervisor support develop a sense of obligation toward their supervisors.
This may lead them to think that they “should not spread bad rumors about their supervisor.”
Specifically, the following behaviors can be expected.

• Turning a blind eye to the supervisor’s unethical behavior
• Not pointing out the supervisor’s problematic aspects
• Denying bad rumors about the supervisor

Such behavior poses significant risks to the organization.
By concealing supervisors’ unethical behavior, problems may not surface, potentially compromising the organization’s integrity.
Supervisors need to recognize the possibility that subordinates may conceal their unethical behavior and exercise caution.
It’s important to build trust with subordinates while maintaining appropriate distance.
By doing so, the risk of subordinates concealing supervisors’ unethical behavior can be reduced.

Support for Subordinates’ Growth and Work Facilitation is Important

Supervisor support should aim for subordinates’ growth and work facilitation.
While building good relationships with subordinates is important, this should not become the end goal.
The purpose of supervisor support is ultimately to support subordinates’ growth and facilitate smooth work operations.
It’s required to engage in subordinate support while paying attention to the following points.

• Focus on support that promotes subordinates’ independence
• Provide support that leads to work efficiency improvements
• Make appropriate decisions without being swayed by relationships with subordinates

Supervisor support must be based on trust with subordinates while contributing to organizational goal achievement.
It’s important for supervisors to always be conscious of subordinates’ growth and work facilitation, providing balanced support.
By doing so, they can maximize subordinates’ performance and contribute to improved organizational productivity.

Be Mindful of Support That Considers Subordinates’ Self-Esteem and Circumstances

It’s important to be mindful of support that considers subordinates’ self-esteem and circumstances.
While supervisor support is intended to promote subordinates’ growth, it can sometimes hurt subordinates’ self-esteem.
For example, words like “let’s work harder” are often said with the intention of encouraging subordinates, but some subordinates might feel “I’m not good enough as I am.”
Supervisors are required to provide support while respecting subordinates’ self-esteem.
To achieve this, it’s important to pay attention to the following points.

• Recognize and praise subordinates’ good points
• Provide support tailored to subordinates’ growth stages
• Consider subordinates’ feelings and choose appropriate words

It’s also necessary to pay attention to the circumstances subordinates find themselves in.
For example, subordinates dealing with personal problems may need not only work-related support but also psychological support.
Supervisors are required to understand subordinates’ circumstances and provide appropriate support.

Focus on Constructive Feedback

To promote subordinates’ growth, it’s important to focus on constructive feedback.
As part of supervisor support, there are times when feedback is given on subordinates’ work.
At such times, simply pointing out problems may lower subordinates’ motivation.
To provide constructive feedback, it’s important to pay attention to the following points.

• Communicate good points and areas for improvement in a balanced way
• Propose improvement methods while showing specific actions
• Listen to subordinates’ opinions and focus on two-way communication

By providing constructive feedback, subordinates can clearly recognize their challenges and take action toward improvement.
Also, through dialogue with supervisors, subordinates’ spontaneity and initiative can be drawn out.
Supervisors are required to focus on constructive feedback to support subordinates’ growth.
By doing so, they can maximize subordinates’ abilities and contribute to organizational development.

To Build Good Relationships Between Ideal Supervisors and Subordinates

Value Communication with Subordinates

Valuing communication with subordinates is essential for building good relationships.
When supervisors and subordinates communicate effectively, mutual understanding deepens and trust relationships are built.
To value communication, the following approaches are considered effective.

• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings
• Listen to subordinates’ stories and show empathy
• Set aside time for casual conversation with subordinates

When supervisors value communication with subordinates, subordinates become able to consult with their supervisors without hesitation.
This allows for early discovery of subordinates’ concerns and challenges, enabling the provision of appropriate support.
Valuing communication with subordinates becomes the foundation for smoothly advancing supervisor support.
Supervisors are required to actively engage in communication with their subordinates.
By doing so, they can build trust relationships with subordinates and enhance team unity.

Have an Attitude of Supporting Subordinates’ Growth

Having an attitude of supporting subordinates’ growth is an important role for supervisors.
Supervisors are required to draw out subordinates’ abilities and promote their growth.
To support subordinates’ growth, the following approaches are considered effective.

• Identify and utilize subordinates’ strengths
• Provide challenging opportunities to subordinates
• Adjust the difficulty level of work according to subordinates’ growth

When supervisors have an attitude of supporting subordinates’ growth, subordinates can enhance their self-efficacy.
This enables subordinates to approach their duties with confidence and demonstrate high performance.
Supporting subordinates’ growth is also rewarding work for supervisors.
This is because supervisors can also grow through their subordinates’ growth.
It is important for supervisors to continue having an attitude of supporting subordinates’ growth.

Listen to Subordinates’ Opinions

Listening to subordinates’ opinions is an important element in supervisor support.
Supervisors are required to respect subordinates’ opinions and receive them sincerely.
To listen to subordinates’ opinions, it is important to pay attention to the following points.

• Listen to subordinates’ stories until the end
• Do not deny subordinates’ opinions and strive to understand them
• Make decisions based on subordinates’ opinions

When supervisors listen to subordinates’ opinions, subordinates can feel their own value of existence.
This leads subordinates to engage more actively in their duties and increases their contribution to the organization.
Additionally, incorporating subordinates’ opinions broadens the supervisor’s perspective.
By being exposed to subordinates’ new ideas and ways of thinking, it also leads to the supervisor’s own growth.
It is important for supervisors to have an attitude of sincerely listening to subordinates’ opinions.
By doing so, they can deepen trust relationships with subordinates and contribute to organizational development.

Recognize and Praise Subordinates’ Efforts

Recognizing and praising subordinates’ efforts is an indispensable initiative in supervisor support.
Being recognized by supervisors allows subordinates to enhance their motivation.
To recognize and praise subordinates’ efforts, it is important to pay attention to the following points.

• Don’t miss subordinates’ hard work and praise them in a timely manner
• Evaluate not only subordinates’ results but also their processes
• Communicate subordinates’ efforts to others and praise them

When supervisors recognize and praise subordinates’ efforts, subordinates’ engagement increases.
This leads subordinates to spontaneously engage in their duties and become able to produce high results.
Additionally, praise from supervisors leads to subordinates’ confidence.
When subordinates can approach their duties with confidence, further growth can be expected.
It is important for supervisors to make it a habit to recognize and praise subordinates’ efforts.
By doing so, they can maintain subordinates’ motivation and enhance organizational vitality.

Summary: About the Ideal Supervisor

This time, we have considered the ideal supervisor image.

Supervisors are expected to support subordinates’ growth and facilitate smooth business operations.

To become an ideal supervisor, it is important to value communication with subordinates and listen to their opinions.

It is also important to recognize and praise subordinates’ efforts.

When you become working adults, you may face challenges in building relationships with supervisors.

However, by being conscious of the ideal supervisor image and engaging in communication, you should be able to build good relationships.

If there is a workplace environment where supervisors and subordinates can respect each other, you will be able to work energetically.

I hope that in the future, you will become ideal supervisors and take on the role of supporting subordinates’ growth.

※This article references the following book.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%B4%E3%81%A7%E3%82%88%E3%81%8F%E3%81%82%E3%82%8B%E8%AA%B2%E9%A1%8C%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E5%87%A6%E6%96%B9%E7%AE%8B-%E4%BA%BA%E3%81%A8%E7%B5%84%E7%B9%94%E3%81%AE%E8%A1%8C%E5%8B%95%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6-%E4%BC%8A%E9%81%94-%E6%B4%8B%E9%A7%86/dp/4799110004?&linkCode=ll1&tag=mission-book-22&linkId=6624dfd067f2a36f7e8dd2e57b19772e&language=ja_JP&ref_=as_li_ss_tl