According to one online source,
“supervision is the activity carried out by supervisors to oversee the
productivity and progress of employees who report directly to the supervisors.”
It fits into the management function because “supervision is a management
activity and supervisors typically are considered to have a management role in
the organization. Supervision is a management role” (McNamara. 2010).
Since
this is the case, it is important to ensure that supervisors have developed the
management skills that are needed to carry out their position in an effective
manner. This is also because lack of these skills can affect the overall level
of not only leader, but employee and organizational success as well. Furthermore, if supervisory
leaders do not possess these skills, they may be developed through
implementation of a training program that identifies the core skills of an effective manager and how to gain them. After researching several online sources, I would
conclude that 5 core skills include:
1. Problem Solving and Decision Making – A leader
must be able to address problems and make decisions in a professional and
competent manner each time the need arises. This is because no organization
will become successful if leaders are unable to complete these successfully.
This skill can also be gained by learning how to define the problem, look at
potential causes of the problem, identify alternatives for solutions to resolve
the problem, being able to select a suitable approach to resolve the problem,
planning the implementation and/or action plan, monitoring the action plan and
verifying that the problem has been resolved (McNamara. 2010).
2. Planning – This
process [involves selecting missions and objectives and the actions to achieve them.
It requires decision-making – i.e., choosing future courses of action from among
alternatives. Plans range from overall purposes and objectives to the most detailed
actions to be taken. No real plan exists until a decision – a commitment of
human and material resources – has been made] (Olum. p. 1). Some methods that
can be used to increase this skill include goals, strategies or activities,
objectives, tasks and resources (McNamara. 2010).
3. Delegation – This
process is completed when leaders assign certain tasks to others. It is
important because an organization may reach a higher level of success when all
daily tasks are completed in a timely manner. This skill can also be gained by
ensuring that certain tasks are delegated to others on a daily basis, instead
of trying to take on all of these duties by one’s self.
4. Effective Communication – After
reviewing several online sources, I believe that (Mintzberg. 2009), best
explains how proper communication can ensure effective managing and/or leading.
This is because he states that “managing takes place on three planes, from the
conceptual to the concrete: with information, through people, and to action
directly” (p. 49). When considering the information plane, he states that this skill
can be gained through
the use of communicating and controlling internal and external factors. Two components that are included with internal communication
are monitoring and nerve center. While, three components included with external
communication are spokesperson, nerve center and disseminating. Furthermore,
five components that are included with internal control are designing,
delegating, deeming, distributing, and designating.
5. Managing One’s Self –
According to (Riddle. 2013. p. 1), [this is the most important personal
management skill of them all. Without the ability to continue moving forward
with personal development you will be unable to recognize the areas that need
to be corrected in order to increase your time, financial, communication, and
organization skills]. He also states that some steps which can be taken to
increase this skill include scheduling weekly self-evaluation appointments,
creating personal long term goals and objectives, always remaining open minded
and continuing to move forward no matter what.
References:
McNamara,
C. (2010). Free basic guide to leadership and supervision. Free Management
Library. Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Retrieved via the World Wide Web at http://managementhelp.org/management/guidebook.htm#anchor1012225
Mintzberg,
H. (2009). Managing. Berrett-Koehler
Publishers, Inc. San Francisco, Ca.
Olum, Y. (2004). Modern
management theories and practices. Department of Political Science and
Public Administration. Makerere University. Retrieved via the World Wide Web at
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/AAPAM/UNPAN025765.pdf
Riddle, J. (2013). 5
Personal management skills for being awesome. Retrieved via the World Wide
Web at http://workawesome.com/management/personal-management-skills/
