Becoming A Supervisor

Upcoming course dates are as follows. 

You can register by visiting  MSU Registration and searching for the course, "Becoming A Supervisor". Please plan on registering and attending all 3 sessions in the series.

Session Topics are as follows. 

Great supervisors have the following skills:

1. They motivate every employee to take action and engage employees with a compelling mission and vision
2. They have the assertiveness to drive outcomes and the ability to overcome adversity and resistance 
3. They create a culture of clear accountability
4. They build relationships that create trust, open dialogue, and full transparency
5. They make decisions based on productivity, not politics                                                                                           
6. They communication with clarity and on a regular basis                                                                                           
7. They are predictable in behavior and communication

The key elements discussed throughout this program are as follows: 

Leadership vs Management

The terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably. While there is some overlap between the work that leaders and managers do, there are also significant differences. Effective leadership is centered on a vision to guide change, whereas managers set out to achieve organizational goals through implementing processes.

Relationship Building

Relationship building skills are a combination of soft skills that a person applies to connect with others and form positive relationships. In the workplace, relationship building skills are essential for getting along with coworkers, contributing to a team, and building an understanding between yourself and others.

Communication

The ability to communicate effectively with employees at every level in the organization is a core competency for supervisors who want to improve department operations and the performance and productivity of the employees under their supervision. Employee feedback is any information exchanged by employees regarding their performance, skills, or ability to work within a team. Both supervisors and peers may deliver feedback, and when done tactfully, the process can create a stronger, more harmonious workplace.

Goals and Time Management

One of the most effective skills a supervisor can have is effective time management. Setting goals and practicing time management techniques are two necessary elements for success. By managing time effectively, supervisors and teams are able to reach their goals both personally and professionally.

Change Management

Change management is a systematic approach to dealing with the transition or transformation of an organization's goals, processes, or technologies. The purpose of change management is to implement strategies for effecting change, controlling change, and helping people to adapt to change.

Responsibility and Accountability

It is the responsibility of supervisors to communicate on an ongoing basis with their employees. These conversations should be grounded in honest communication and provide staff with clear role expectations, feedback, identify performance improvement, development opportunities, and career possibilities. The ability of a supervisor to hold their employees accountable is one of the most important management skill a supervisor must have.