Supervisior or Superior?
I’ll admit it. I’ve got a bit of an issue with authority. You’ll never hear me call someone my “superior”. It’s just something that grates on a deep seated nerve and I’m really not too upset about it. I’m not sure why it’s a pet peeve of mine, but I know I’m not alone in this.
The term “Superior” conjures up images of someone’s lord and master, issuing unrealistic demands to be completed in an impossible time schedule under unreasonable conditions. (Wow. Channeling all kinds of stuff now.) “Supervisor” on the other hand is someone who is tasked with monitoring others and making sure that they are doing what they should, have what they need, and are satisfied with their environment. Pretty big difference in my book.
If you look at the other party involved in the relationship you’ll see that a “Supervisor” has “people that are supervised” where as a “Superior” has “people that are inferior.” Again, seems rather harsh doesn’t it? Now there are places where people are truly your Superior, such as in the military, but in the workplace I don’t know of anyone who can be court marshaled for not following a direct order. In the private sector we have the choice as to which type we convey and are perceived. Have you ever worked for a “Superior?” How did you enjoy that relationship?
The question is…which kind of manager are you? Are you a supervisor or a superior? Would I get the same answer from the people you work with?
Related Stories
POSTED IN: management
2 opinions for Supervisior or Superior?
MS
Jul 25, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Thankfully, I don’t hear “superior” very often, outside of old British television. The current workplace is too egalitarian to make that term effective.
ditto
Aug 14, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I’ve had this same feeling ever since hearing Michael Caine in some movie respond to the question: “Wasn’t he your superior?” with the retort “No, he was my boss”
In some rare cases I’ve come across some managers who I felt were superior to me at the time, however most were either just luckier or had been around longer to get the right breaks or experience to get them up a rung or two.