Discuss with your manager ways to get quickly up to speed in your new role
- Determine your priorities as supervisor.
- Confirm your understanding of the full scope of your responsibilities.
- Identify how safety, a core value, will be addressed and integrated daily.
- Determine what changes you will need to plan or implement and what should not change.
- Identify what you need to know about current issues (people- or project/program-related).
- Confirm what issues will be yours to address and resolve.
- Discuss how to ensure a smooth transition to your new role.
Meet with the outgoing supervisor for perspective
- Be briefed on the status of projects, assignments, outstanding issues, opportunities.
- Ask what information, resources or tools will be helpful or critical to know.
- Solicit suggestions on how to make a smooth transition into the role.
- Learn about strengths and development areas for your employees.
Get up to speed quickly on your supervisory duties
- Review this Supervisor Toolkit to broaden your understanding of responsibilities and related best practices.
- Get to know your employees (their capabilities, skill sets and aspirations). Review past performance reviews in their personnel files.
- Familiarize yourself with Berkeley Lab culture, the mission of your division and of your partners, and peruse Berkeley Lab and division websites if you are new to Berkeley Lab.
Develop a working relationship with your HR Division Partner
- Meet with your HR Divison Partner (LDAP login required) early in your new job.
- Learn what HR’s role is, and where HR can support and advise you.
- Learn where you must be aligned and in compliance with Berkeley Lab policy and procedures.
- Discuss where you might be challenged as a new supervisor and how to address these challenges.
- Learn what you can and can’t say, do or discuss with your employees.
Assess your supervisory skills and/or your team’s strengths and growth areas
- Take the Supervisor and Team Lead Self Assessment to assess your supervisory skills and create development goals.
- Help your team assess strengths and areas for improvement using the Team Self Assessment .
