Here’s my advise from my experience being a shift, having trained four SSVs, and dealing with people in general:

•SSVs are the real managers, not your SM. Emergency staffing problems, irate customers, filing incident reports, kicking out unruly customers, immediate discipline of partners, running the shift, cash management, inventory management, upholding company and health dept standards, and maintaining a positive work environment are all your responsibilities, especially if you’re working during a time do day that your SM is off (such as closing shifts).

•You’re there to lead, to enforce standards. You’re your partners’ supervisor before you’re their friend. At the end of the day, they want someone who will know what to do in all situations, who can make their lives easier, not just be a friendly coworker who they can joke around with all shift

•Be the person your partners go to for help. Be the person your partners want to work with, the person they go “Yes! I get to with with X today!” When your partners begin saying this, then they not only respect you as someone who knows what to do, but they genuinely enjoy your presence.

•Don’t be afraid if you’re being promoted and are supervising more tenured partners. Chances are, they’ve had this opportunity and turned it down and/or don’t have the skills necessary

•Work ethic isn’t what makes a good SSV, being someone who leads by example and is capable of maintaining a positive work environment is way more important than being the fastest on bar or the best at cleaning.

Become a barista trainer first, if you aren’t already! It helps prepare you so much for a role in leadership!