Mistakes first-time supervisors make

As a postdoc, you probably now find yourself in the role of supervising undergrads and grad students in your lab. And certainly, in your future role as a faculty member or even in industry, you will be in a position of leadership. Here are two types of mistakes that people typically make when they’re new to the supervisor’s role.

Mistake #1 – Being buddies with your subordinates. To be a good supervisor, you need to maintain a certain distance from your reports. You have different responsibilities from theirs. As the leader, you always have to be thinking about what’s best for the organization as a whole, and you can’t let emotional attachments interfere with your decisions. As close as you may be to your students or supervisees, neither you nor they should forget that it’s a professional relationship and needs to be treated as such.

Mistake #2 – The do-everything supervisor. Work with your PI to establish clear chains of command and communicate them to your team. Delegate everything that is appropriate, allowing your supervisees to grow on the job. Also, allow them to learn from their mistakes by having them do it over, unless deadlines absolutely forbid. Don’t do it yourself.

Taken from Brodsky, N. and Burlingham, B. (2008). Street Smarts. New York, NY: Penguin Group.