The Best?

rn/writer, RN · Mar 12, 2006

Do you tend to think the best of people until proven otherwise? Or vice versa?
How should a supervisor view staff - think the best of them or expect that they are all immature, lying, lazy, no-goodniks who will goof off, steal, lie, and cut you to ribbons given the opportunity?

While there are exceptions, people tend to rise--or sink--to your expectations.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 12, 2006

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt til I am shown I am wrong. I do this because anyone can have an "off" day, and I hope others would do the same for me.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2006

I'm realistic. I see them as they are, presuming nothing.

A supervisor should be honest and consistent in assessing someone. The supervisor should not read anything into something if they don't know the truth. If they want to know the truth they should investigate.

Like Deb says, good people have off days.

Good point above too. If you treat people like they are good for nothing lazy people, that's what you're going to get.

nurse_clown · Mar 12, 2006

do you tend to think the best of people until proven otherwise? or vice versa?
how should a supervisor view staff - think the best of them or expect that they are all immature, lying, lazy, no-goodniks who will goof off, steal, lie, and cut you to ribbons given the opportunity?

i tend to think the best of people. why not? everyone deserves to be happy. i've been called "very niave", "innocent", "not the sharpest knife in the drawer"... but i give a lot of chances. i've also been hurt very badly on a number of occaisions trusting the wrong types of people. but i really think there is good in everyone. there has to be.

if a supervisor is a good one, i think they give everyone the benefit of the doubt. they probably take precautions and don't get workers who goof off, steal, lie etc. etc. i'm a supervisor (on the night shift) and i definately try and ignore the negative aspects of people and use their "good qualities" and keep them busy. i don't hesitate to ask them questions and advice or if they need help.

but yes, i believe that people generally are good people and should be trusted and given a chance. i think it makes people happy to be given a chance. i think generally, people want to be happy. don't they?