Supervisor Foundations · Lesson 1.7

BEING APPROACHABLE WITHOUT LOSING BOUNDARIES

Employees should be able to bring legitimate questions and concerns to supervisors.

A supervisor who is impossible to approach may not hear about:

But being approachable does not mean becoming involved in every personal issue or allowing professional boundaries to disappear.

Poor

POOR EXTREME 1

“Do not disturb me with problems.”

POOR EXTREME 2

“Tell me everything happening in everybody’s personal life.”

Better

“Bring me work-related concerns, questions and problems early enough for us to address them.”

EXAMPLE 1

An employee admits they made an error before a customer notices.

An approachable supervisor makes it easier to correct the issue early.

EXAMPLE 2

An employee begins sharing private gossip about another worker.

BETTER RESPONSE

The supervisor should redirect the conversation toward relevant workplace facts.

EXAMPLE 3

An employee needs temporary support because of a personal situation affecting attendance.

BETTER RESPONSE

The supervisor can discuss the work impact and available workplace options without becoming the employee’s therapist.

EXAMPLE 4

An employee raises a concern about inappropriate conduct by a senior colleague.

BETTER RESPONSE

The supervisor should not dismiss it simply because the allegation is uncomfortable.

Remember

Approachable does not mean boundaryless.

Workplace action

Ask: Do employees bring me problems early—or only after the situation becomes serious?

Quick Check

Which response best balances approachability and boundaries?