WHAT I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN...

In no way prepared me for being a temporary supervisor in spite of the inspiring story that typically goes along with how what we learned in kindergarten has carried through are whole lives.  Oh sure, colouring inside the line is a key life skill, but in  no way did Mrs. Attice teach me how to be a mediator, a mentor and a mother, sometimes all at the same time.  If I had the opportunity to re-write that little kindergarten ditty it might go something like this:

What I learned while being the temporary supervisor is that many people are unaware of their limitations and they will make every excuse and exception they can to save face.  Other people who you thought you could trust to be your support and rely on for assistance will turn their back on you merely because you're their "boss."  I have also learned that people who are capable of doing their work will respect your leadership because they are confident in their own abilities, but also aware enough of their own inexperiences to ask for help when they need it.  Most of all, most importantly and eye opening of all, what I learned while being the temporary supervisor is that the only person you can control is yourself.  You can not take ownership of the action of other people, you will end up on a very steep up hill battle in which you have no way to win.  You can control yourself and your reactions and nothing more.  Once you accept this, you will find that life is much easier.  The one other thing, and perhaps the most difficult for many people, is that you have to let go of worrying about what other people think of you.  The reality is, if you do a good job, you will get the approval of people who are far more important then a co-worker who is incapable of doing his/her job.  Ultimately you must please yourself and, at the end of the day, feel good about what you did.

So to summarize, don't worry about what people think of you, be happy, and the only thing you can control is yourself, unless of course you are like me and controlling yourself means not eating a 1/8lb of parmesan cheese immediately before going to your MMA class.  A very unwise decsion.

Cheers,