Fundamentals of Supervision '23-'24

Transitioning to a supervisory role can be difficult; it can be challenging to be the boss of those who used to be your peers. As an individual contributor, you developed specific technical expertise that made you proficient in completing organizational processes and tasks efficiently and effectively. Becoming a supervisor requires a whole new set of skills. Now, your leadership, interpersonal, and management skills are required to keep your team motivated and productive. Additionally, you are no longer held accountable solely for your own work, you are responsible for the work outputs and behaviors of those who report to you.

 

This course aims to give you the fundamental skills required to become a supervisor. It is designed to prepare the first-time supervisor with thoughtful approaches to gain the respect of those you supervise, techniques to interpersonally connect with your team members, and strategies to foster a cooperative team that is productive and accountable for the work they produce.

Becoming an effective supervisor starts by gaining the respect of those who report to you. The modules in this section of the course helps you to establish your credibility as the leader of your team. You will learn about what it takes to establish a purposeful working relationship with those who report to you, pitfalls to avoid by being too much of a boss or a buddy to those you lead, and strategies to earn your team’s trust and build your credibility. 

 

The job of the supervisor is to get work done through other people. As such, your ability to connect and communicate with others effectively is an essential skill for your success. This section of the course offers you the opportunity to sharpen your communication skills, demonstrate empathy with others, and have candid and sometimes difficult conversations with those you lead. 

 

Supervisors manage the performance of their teams. This requires them to set expectations, monitor progress and offer feedback to employees to ensure they are held accountable for meeting their objectives. The modules in this section of the course helps you to ensure your team is meeting your company’s goals.