Develop strong supervisory skills by reading books, taking courses, observing and working with your own supervisor, and paying attention to interactions with subordinates. Ask your supervisor about formal training and observe good managers. Reflect on your work and seek feedback to improve your skills.
If you are or expect to be promoted to a supervisory position at work, it is important that you develop strong supervisory skills. There are many ways to go about this, and you may find that utilizing multiple approaches is your best bet for fully developing your potential. Approaches to improving your supervisor skills include reading books and taking management courses, observing and working with your own supervisor, as well as paying close attention to your interactions with your subordinates. Even if you are not already in a supervisory position, you can increase your chances of promotion by learning supervisory and management skills while working at your current job.
Talk to your supervisor about obtaining formal training in supervisory skills. In some companies, employees can take advantage of in-house training programs that have the advantage of also educating you on specific company policies and procedures. If your company does not automatically provide you with the training you need to learn and improve your supervisory skills, ask if your company will reimburse you for taking a course on your own. Management courses and workshops are often taught at industry trade shows, online and adult education centers, and at traditional colleges and universities. If you can’t easily attend a course or workshop, your local library can help you find management books and DVDs that can be of great help to you.
Another key aspect of developing good supervisory skills is paying close attention to supervisors and managers that you believe are doing a good job. By observing what they say and do when working with other employees, you can model your own management behavior on their good example. It is wise to work closely with your own manager, particularly as you settle into your new role, and regularly solicit feedback on your performance and your approach to dealing with routine and unusual challenges.
Once you start actively supervising other employees, it pays to regularly reflect on your work. If you advise an employee on a specific issue, keep your approach in mind as you observe the employee’s behavior over the coming weeks and months. While you certainly can’t force an employee to behave in a specific way, if their performance improves, you might want to advise them accordingly in the future. If the employee’s performance does not change or declines, consider what you could have done differently. With continued experience and self-education, you can improve your supervisor skills so that you can be considered for additional opportunities within the company and with other employers.
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