I grew up with Captain Kangaroo; I sort of remember Howdy Doody and Clarabell the Clown, but the Captain and Mr. Green Jeans were there every day for me – literally, as his show premiered on my 5th birthday. I saw this quote and again thought about how parents at home with children and supervisors at work with employees have roughly the same relationships and responsibilities. In their roles, every word, movement, and action has an effect – indeed, no other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than a parent or a supervisor on an employee. Through so many formative events, they are the primary supervisor, teacher, and role model. Employees and kids watch and listen closely, soaking up what these people say and do. That’s why parenting skills training for new parents and soft-skills training for new supervisors are so important. For the latter group, courses on how to (1) be a leader, (2) communicate effectively, (3) coach appropriately, and (4) handle difficult conversations professionally should be mandatory. In big companies and small. Big companies have HR departments who should be given the funding and mandate to provide these. And small companies that may not have the resources can get these courses from their local community colleges or online. Both should make it mandatory. Even in tough times – don’t cut this training. Give your supervisors the tools they need to be effective today.
Bob Keeshan (1927 – 2004): television producer and actor. He created and played the title role in the children's television program Captain Kangaroo, which ran from 1955 to 1984. He also played the original Clarabell the Clown on the Howdy Doody television program.
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