In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) discusses why supervisors must address workplace issues early—before they escalate, spread, or damage trust.

Rita explains the ripple effect of ignoring problems, how open communication strengthens teams, and why leaders must create a safe environment for honest dialogue. This episode also ties directly into her foundational work on feedback, highlighting how giving and receiving timely feedback helps employees succeed and keeps organizations healthy.

🎙️ Key Takeaways: • Ignoring problems causes bigger issues later. • Addressing concerns early prevents escalation. • Open communication builds trust and transparency. • Feedback is essential for employee success. • Leaders must be proactive, not avoidant. • Difficult conversations are part of healthy supervision. • Safe environments encourage honest communication. • Trust takes time to build but can be lost quickly. • Ignoring feedback leads to disengagement. • Reflective leadership practices support continual improvement.

🔗 Related Feedback Episodes: • Benefits of Feedback: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/e/feedback-basics/ • Giving Feedback: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/e/giving-feedback/ • Receiving Feedback: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/e/receiving-feedback/

📌 Resources & Links: 🔹 Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🔹 All SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ 🔹 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Success Express" Podcast Channel. Explore the Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this insightful episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) explores one of the most important questions supervisors can ask themselves and their staff: “Is this impacting the work—and how?”

This powerful question encourages reflection, clarity, and accountability, helping supervisors navigate performance challenges, communication breakdowns, and personal or technological factors that may influence productivity. Rita discusses when and how to ask these questions, why “no” answers can sometimes be harder to handle than “yes,” and how documenting and communicating effectively strengthens workplace relationships and results.

🎙️ Key Takeaways: • Supervisors should regularly reflect on how their actions and team dynamics impact the work. • Asking about the impact of personal or external issues clarifies priorities. • Technology can both support and disrupt productivity. • Communication and documentation are key to effective supervision. • Supervisors must balance empathy with accountability. • Cultural awareness helps prevent misinterpretation of behavior. • “Is this impacting the work?” keeps conversations grounded and constructive. • Understanding and addressing issues early prevents escalation. • Supporting staff means listening, observing, and following up consistently.

📌 Resources & Links: 🔹 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/

🔹 Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/

🔹 Explore more business & career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this insightful episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) discusses the value of one-on-one meetings in the workplace.

These regular check-ins are essential for building relationships, clarifying expectations, and fostering open communication. Rita shares how one-on-ones can help navigate organizational change, strengthen supervisor-employee trust, and provide a consistent forum for feedback and support—even in remote work environments.

🎙️ Key Takeaways: • One-on-one meetings are vital for relationship building. • Regular check-ins help address issues before they escalate. • Scheduling and honoring meetings demonstrates respect. • Two-way conversations are critical for effective communication. • Feedback drives continuous improvement and engagement. • Meetings prevent burnout and disengagement. • Structure and consistency enhance productivity. • Listening is just as important as speaking. • Supervisors must foster supportive, communicative environments.

📌 Resources & Links: 🔹 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🔹 Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ 🔹 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Success Express" Show. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Discover why self-awareness is one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop. In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Supervision Matters” Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever shares how self-awareness helps leaders build trust, improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and create stronger, more effective teams.

You’ll learn practical strategies for increasing self-awareness, fostering it within organizations, and using it to enhance workplace performance and innovation.

📄 Key Topics: - Self-awareness in leadership - Building trust and team culture - Communication and personal boundaries - Conflict resolution and self-management - Encouraging self-awareness in teams

🔗 Resources & Links: 🌐 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🎙️ Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ 📚 Discover more business & career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Supervision Matters" Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (author of Supervision Matters and Leading for Justice) explores the complexities of workplace culture, focusing on what distinguishes a healthy environment from a toxic one. She dives into how leadership, communication, HR, and employee feedback play essential roles in shaping and maintaining a positive work culture.

Rita shares actionable insights on building inclusive, value-aligned organizations and emphasizes that culture is not static—it requires continuous reflection and evolution. She also discusses the influence of external societal pressures on internal dynamics and highlights the crucial role HR professionals play in sustaining a thriving workplace.

🎧 Whether you're in leadership, HR, or part of a team looking to create a better workplace, this episode delivers practical and powerful guidance.

🔑 Key Takeaways: - Feedback is essential for fostering a healthy workplace culture. - External societal issues can influence workplace dynamics. - Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping organizational culture. - Culture is defined by how employees interact and align with values. - Hiring practices should reflect the desired culture of the organization. - Workplace culture is not static; it requires ongoing assessment. - Identifying signs of a healthy culture is as important as recognizing toxicity. - Effective communication is key to maintaining a positive culture. - Employee feedback should be collected and acted upon regularly. - HR professionals are vital in promoting a healthy work culture.

📄 Download Rita’s Free Workplace Culture Guide: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/rysh/

🔗 Resources & Links: 🌐 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🎙️ Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ 📚 Discover more business & career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this eye-opening episode of Big Blend Radio’s SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach and author Rita Sever (Supervision Matters & Leading for Justice) explores the often-overlooked impact of hidden rules in the workplace.

From inclusion to exclusion, hidden rules shape our daily interactions—often without us realizing it. Rita breaks down how these unspoken norms function in organizational and cultural settings, why they can create challenges for newcomers, and how leaders and HR professionals can address them to build healthier, more transparent work environments.

🎙️ Key Takeaways: • Hidden rules can both foster belonging and cause exclusion. • Cultural misunderstandings often stem from unspoken expectations. • HR plays a vital role in uncovering and addressing these silent norms. • Transparency and communication help prevent workplace inequities. • New employees should feel empowered to ask about unwritten rules. • Mentorship or a buddy system can help ease integration. • Organizations must align stated values with actual practices.

📌 Resources & Links: 🔹 Visit Rita Sever: https://supervisionmatters.com/ 🔹 Listen to all SUPERVISION MATTERS episodes: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ 🔹 Discover more business & career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Stop dreading feedback and start using it to skyrocket your career! In this insightful episode of Big Blend Radio's SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast, organizational coach Rita Sever ("SUPERVISION MATTERS" & "LEADING FOR JUSTICE" author), you'll discover a powerful 10-step process for effectively receiving feedback in the workplace.

Rita breaks down how to truly listen, understand, and utilize feedback – even when it's tough to hear. Learn practical strategies to remain open, clarify concerns, and transform critiques into actionable steps for professional growth.

Key Takeaways You'll Gain: - Step-by-step guidance on how to approach feedback conversations. - Tips to manage your defensiveness and cultivate a growth mindset. - How to ensure you understand the feedback you're receiving. - The importance of considering power dynamics in feedback situations. - Actionable strategies for responding and following up on feedback.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, mastering the art of receiving feedback is a game-changer. Tune in to gain valuable insights from leadership expert Rita Sever!

🔗 Resources Mentioned: - Rita Sever's Website: https://supervisionmatters.com/ - Part 1: Feedback Benefits & Basics: https://youtu.be/fSAi0EAWgWg - Part 2: The Formula for Giving Feedback: https://youtu.be/PYS22Z0SZaQ

Listen to the full SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/ Explore more business and career podcasts on Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast with Rita Sever we dive into the art of giving effective feedback—especially in supervisory roles, though the strategies apply across many relationships and settings. We start by reflecting on last month’s insights and move into what brain research tells us about how people receive feedback—spoiler: negative feedback hits harder than the positive kind.

You’ll learn why preparation is key, how to shift the dynamic from confrontation to collaboration, and why brevity and conversation matter. We also introduce the powerful J-O-I-N formula (Join, Observation, Impact, Need) to help you structure feedback in a way that builds understanding instead of defensiveness.

We walk through real-world examples, share two common pitfalls to avoid, and explore common reactions and how to respond effectively.

Whether you're leading a team or navigating everyday communication, this episode will give you practical tools to deliver feedback that actually makes a difference.

LISTEN TO LAST MONTH'S PODCAST ON THE BENEFITS OF FEEDBACK: https://youtu.be/fSAi0EAWgWg?feature=shared

Rita Sever is the author of “SUPERVISION MATTERS: 100 Bite-sized Ideas to Transform You and Your Team,” and “LEADING FOR JUSTICE: Supervision, HR, and Culture.” Learn more at https://supervisionmatters.com/

Big Blend Radio's SUPERVISION MATTERS Podcast features new episodes every 3rd Friday at 12pm PT / 3pm ET. Follow the podcast here: https://supervisionmatters.podbean.com/

This episode is also featured on other Big Blend Radio's "Success Express" Business & Career Channel. Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork