2. CHAPTER 1
The Supervisor's Job

3. What Is Supervision?
Supervision is the first level of management in an organization
Supervisors do not do operative work, but see that it is accomplished through the effort of others

4. Who are Supervisors?
A supervisor is the manager who serves as the link between operative employees and all other managers

5. Sources of Supervisory Talent
The majority of supervisors are promoted from the ranks of operative employees.
Officers of labor unions are sometimes chosen for their leadership abilities.
Sometimes new college graduates are made supervisors after a brief training.

6. The Functions of Supervision
Five functions of supervision are:
Planning: determining the most effective means for achieving the work
Organizing: distributing the work and arranging it so that it flows smoothly
Staffing: obtaining and developing good people
Leading: directing and channeling employee behavior
Controlling: determining how well the work is being done compared to what was planned

7. The Functions of Supervision
Four types of skills required of supervisors:
Technical: knowledge about machines, processes, and methods of production
Human relations: knowledge about human behavior and the ability to work well with people
Administrative: knowledge about the organization and how it works
Decision making and problem-solving: ability to analyze information and objectively reach a decision

8. Key Reasons For Supervisory Success
Ability and willingness to delegate
Proper use of authority
Setting a good example
Recognizing the change in role
Desire for the job

9. The Changing Nature of the Supervisor’s Environment
Changes in information availability
Increased use of computers and new technology makes more information available
New technology requires more training and higher skill levels for employees
More skilled employees require new approaches to motivation and leadership

10. The Changing Nature of the Supervisor’s Environment
Changes in outlook toward the environment
Emphasis on quality of work life
Safe and healthy working conditions
Opportunity to use and develop individual capabilities
Opportunity for personal and professional growth
Work schedules, career demands, and travel requirements that do not regularly take up family and leisure time
The right to personal privacy, free speech, equitable treatment, and due process

11. The Changing Nature of the Supervisor’s Environment
Changes in workforce demographics
Diversity of the workforce encompasses many different dimensions, including gender, race, religion, age, and types of disability

12. The Changing Nature of the Supervisor’s Environment
Guidelines for managing diversity
Focus on observable behavior
Avoid stereotyping
Evaluate output, not input
Don’t make assumptions about nonstandard behavior
Provide feedback based on observations
Don’t tolerate non-behavioral assumptions from anyone
Test your own behaviors

13. Supervision: Key Link to Productivity
The primary measure of a supervisor’s success is the productivity of the supervisor’s work unit