Supervisory Best Practices
In any organization, effective supervision is crucial for maintaining productivity, ensuring compliance, and fostering a positive work environment. However, in the public sector, where accountability, transparency, and public trust are paramount, the role of supervisors takes on added significance. An effective supervisor has the ability to influence how employees feel about their jobs and the service they provide to the public.
The County’s Supervisory Practices Guide outlines three critical roles a supervisor fills: leader, coach, and mentor.
As leaders, supervisors work to establish goals for their group. This means driving initiatives, modeling proper behavior, providing clear direction, and maintaining their integrity.
As a coach, supervisors lay plans for the work group. They may train employees or help develop their job skills. It’s a supervisor’s responsibility to correct sub-standard work, praise good performance, and promote teamwork and cooperation.
As a mentor, supervisors must earn the respect and confidence of the employees they supervise. Being a source of guidance and advice helps employees to maximize their individual potential, increasing the quality of the workforce on the whole.
To fulfill these responsibilities, supervisors must adhere to practices tailored to the unique demands of their environment.
Help employees set goals.
Regular check-ins show an investment in employee’s work and personal goals.
Make employees feel like part of the work group.
Team meetings and discussions help everyone in the workplace feel connected and informed.
Keep employees up to date.
Keeping employees in the loop with changes and developments opens the door for clear and effective communication.
Give employees responsibility.
Giving employees increased responsibility and authority demonstrates a supervisor’s trust in them and helps employees feel invested in the success of their work product.
Encourage employees to speak up.
Feedback on room for improvement goes both ways. An effective supervisor is always open to feedback, staying calm and collected even when there are differences of opinion.
Listen to employees.
Do your best to understand where employees are coming from. Follow up afterward to show that their thoughts, feedback, and input are valued.
Give employees constructive feedback.
Specific and constructive feedback should clearly define the steps needed to correct course when an employee slips below the expected standards.
By prioritizing clear communication, ethical leadership, employee empowerment, and continuous improvement, supervisors can fulfill their vital role and foster a culture of accountability and excellence within government agencies.
By Brooke Daphne, Labor Representative
