Being a Project Supervisor: WWTGD?

I've been in my role as Project Supervisor for the NWWRC for a couple of months now, and I'm still getting the hang of it.  Some days I'm focused on paperwork, some days on technology, but some portion of every day is devoted to one thing: Making sure that my AmeriCorps members are having a successful term of service.

It's that last point that can be tricky.  Sometimes I know what's going on, and sometimes I'm blindsided by conflict or confusion.  But whenever I question how to handle a situation, I consider one thing:

What would Tim Gunn do?

Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn, for those of you who don't know (and honestly, how could you not?), is a television personality on the hit show, Project Runway.  But more than being plain fabulous (which he IS), he is also what I consider to be a great example of a coach and manager, and an excellent person to compare my role to as a Project Supervisor.  How's that?  I'm so glad you asked.

He presents the assignment.
Mr. Gunn is the man who tells the contestants what their challenge is each week.  Similarly, Project Supervisors are the ones who outline AmeriCorps members' assignments at the beginning of their terms of service.

He guides contestants through the process.
Tim Gunn gives the contestants time to record their ideas, takes them shopping for fabric, and reminds them of their mission.  Project Supervisors do much the same thing by providing training, offering time for reflection, and reminding members why they serve.

He provides constructive feedback.
Sometimes contestants look like they're missing the mark on what they should be doing, and Tim Gunn is there to say "This worries me." Project Supervisors are often looking to get the bigger picture of what may be going on for members at their sites, and they offer constructive feedback both along the way and during member evaluations.

He coaches through roadblocks.
If a contestant is fighting homesickness or are losing focus, Tim Gunn often lends a listening ear (and sometimes a shoulder to cry on).  By simply saying "Talk to me," he is able to gain an understanding of what's going on for contestants, and can then coach them through the hard times.  Things get rough during a term of service, and sometimes people just need to get things off their chests and then they are good to move on.  Project Supervisors sometimes lend ears and shoulders, too.

He throws in extra challenges.
Just when contestants think things are difficult enough, what with being in the final three and having to create a full line and all, Tim Gunn (along with show host Heidi Klum) throw in extra challenges like "Create a thirteenth look."  Like contestants weren't stressed enough already, right?  Well sometimes Project Supervisors do this, too.  You might be facing challenges at your site, but it's time to plan a service project, too!  Or maybe you're in the middle of planning a big event, but don't forget that your big report is due.  Like Tim Gunn says, "Make it work!"

He enforces the rules.
Sometimes contestants misstep unknowingly, sometimes pressures from outside of the contest sneak in, and sometimes people just aren't cut out for the competition.  Tim Gunn provides a voice of reason, looks for opportunities to compromise, and sometimes has to be the one to tell people to clean up their stations and go home.  Project Supervisors do this, too.  It's one of the more unfortunate parts of the job, but someone has to be there to keep things running smoothly, and sometimes that means transferring people or having to fire them.  We always hope those instances are rare, but sometimes situations are out of our control.

He enforces deadlines.
"Go, go go!" says Tim Gunn, and by golly you'd better be ready to go!  He is there to make sure contestants looks are ready to go down the runway, and if they aren't ready-- Oh well!  They're going anyway.  Project supervisors are constantly enforcing deadlines for timesheets, reports, and more.  Sometimes we're plain annoying about enforcing deadlines.  But we're annoying for a reason:  The money that funds our program has to be accounted for somehow, and reporting is one of those ways.  We might have to pester a bit, but sometimes pestering is the way we make sure we have a program at all!

Tim Gunn

In addition to the above, Tim Gunn has a remarkable ability to make contestants answer their own questions.  When asked, "Do you think [overly-sequined-and-feathered-dress] is too gaudy?" Tim Gunn might pause and then respond, "That's something I want you to ask yourself."

Brilliant.

Tim Gunn empowers contestants to make the best decisions for themselves, pushes them to take risks, but reminds them to be true to who they are.  He pushes contestants to acheive more than they've ever acheived before, whether they win or not.  This finesse can only come with experience and wisdom, and I hope that one day I can be as wise (and fabulous) as as Tim Gunn.