“So, it’s okay to be a working manager?” Wes asked.
“In a small organization, it almost always happens that way,” I replied. “As a manager, you may have four or five supervisors reporting to you. At the same time, you may have to supervise one of the processes yourself. It could be a matter of economics, or just that you cannot find the right person to fill the role.”
“That’s exactly the way it works, now.” Wes looked relieved.
“But, there’s a problem, being a part time manager and a part time supervisor,” I warned.
The look of relief on Wes’ face was temporary. He knew it was too good to be true. I waited.
“You’re right. Being part time manager and part time supervisor, I feel like I am being pulled in too many different directions. One of my supervisors comes to me with a question and I can’t listen, because I have my own work to do.”
“And when you don’t have time to listen, are you bringing value to the thinking and work of that supervisor who has a question?” -TF
If you don’t listen, you are not contributing at all, and that may result in a delay in the supervisor’s job, or a bad decision.
If you want to develop your supervisor, say so!. Let him take the decision and follow up the results. This way you are making him bigger.