Running head: LEADER GUIDEBOOK

Leader Guidebook for New Supervisors

Samantha Statham
Capella University
Professor Hagedorn
November 3, 2016

LEADER GUIDEBOOK FOR NEW SUPERVISORS

A supervisor is the first-line management who monitors and regulates an employee or

multiple employees in their performance of assigned or delegated tasks. They are typically
authorized to recommend and/or affect hiring, disciplining, promoting, punishing, rewarding, and
other activities regarding the employees in their department (Supervisor, 2016).
As effective leadership starts at the supervisory level, you are the first level of
management with our employees. One of your main responsibilities will be engaging with your
employees and developing effective and efficient skills to ensure success in their job capacity,
positively impacting the day-to-day operations of the organization. In order to do that, you will
need to develop effective practices to follow for planning, measuring, motivating people,
managing change and information, designing jobs, and encouraging relationships with your
employees.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is the key to effectively dealing with day to day dilemmas that can
affect your state of mind. It allows us to experience positive feelings which present through our
facial expressions, the way our eyes light up, our tone, posture and overall body language. We
come in contact with a wide range of individuals on a daily basis and are often affected by those
individuals therefore we encourage you to face every situation with a smile which can be
contagious and can lead to success and be passed along.
Development and Growth
Supervisors play a key role in maximizing employees contribution to the organization.
You are responsible for performance, learning and development, growth, engagement and
retention. Employee learning and development is a vital part of our success. You are required to

LEADER GUIDEBOOK FOR NEW SUPERVISORS

provide opportunities for education and growth, encouraging employees development for
success. When employees believe their supervisor are supportive, care about them and their
development, it leads to higher retention, higher sales growth, better productivity and better
customer service in the organization (Valour, 2014).
Being emotionally invested in your team by establishing an environment that is
supportive, safe, and caring; acknowledging praise and rewards; and leading by example can
lead to self-confidence and awareness among your employees. All of these can improve
performance and accountability and allow you to see a clear picture of the strengths and
weaknesses of your team, becoming a more effective leader (Batool, 2013).
Productivity
Supervisors that are knowledgeable in effective communication and listening, as well as
policies and procedures of the organization, are effective in guiding their employees to be more
productive and successful. The more productive the organization is, the more profitable we are.
Establishing reporting processes for set goals reinforces accountability of everyone involved.
Continuous feedback is crucial for effective performance in achieving productivity.
Effective Communication
The ability to community effectively with employees is imperative as it can improve dayto-day operations, performance, productivity, development and growth and overall attitudes of
the employees you are responsible for supervising. Effective communication and active listening
skills is required in resolving conflict that may arise in the workplace among employees. You are
required to provide support and guidance when approached by an individual(s) with an issue.
Supervisors who exhibit active listening skills show the employee their concerns are important
and they are valued as members of the team, as well as the organization. Supervisors who can

LEADER GUIDEBOOK FOR NEW SUPERVISORS

effectively communication provide constructive feedback regarding performance and other

related matters (Mayhew, 2016). Effective communication is vital. Without effective
communication, it is impossible to effectively direct and lead others to encourage collaboration
and influence motivation for success.
INEFFECTIVE PRACTICES TO AVOID
Untrustworthy
A team that does not trust their supervisor leads to an environment that promotes
behavior that is unethical, dishonest and unacceptable. This can lead to unsuccessful practices,
profit loss, angry employees and customers and a hostile environment. Creating a safe
environment built on honesty and trust by openly communicating positive and negative updates
is crucial to success of the organization (McClanahan, C.J., 2008).
Unavailability
Not making time for your team and being hands-off as a supervisor indicates to them
your lack of concern and loyalty to them and the organization. Setting aside time on your
schedule for your team shows your employees they come first and that you are available when
your guidance and direction is needed, leads to positive attitudes, motivation, high productivity
and success (MindTools, 2016).
Not Providing Feedback
When you do not provide feedback to your team, it limits their opportunity to improve
performance, develop and grow in their job capacity, which negatively affects the success of the
team and the organization (MindTools, 2016).
Not Properly Defining Goals

LEADER GUIDEBOOK FOR NEW SUPERVISORS

Employees without clear goals are not productive because they are unsure of what to do
and the negative impact that can develop. There are no priorities or boundaries in accomplishing
goals. Effective communication and listening skills can help to avoid this pitfall thereby
accomplishing the goals of the team and the organization (MindTool, 2016).
Abusing Your Role
Good supervisors lead by example, they are trustworthy, and exhibit integrity. They work
alongside their team to accomplish the goals by demonstrating the values and actions they expect
from their team. They treat their employees with the same respect they expect. They are invested
in the personal and professional development of their employees as it contributes to the success
of the team and the organization. Mistreatment in any form is unacceptable towards another
employee, regardless of your title or position.
New Science Guidelines for Success
Knowledge is power. The more informative you are regarding your roles and
responsibilities as a new supervisor, the more positive impact you will have on the success of
your team. As our day-to-day operations within this organization rely primarily on technology
more than fact to face contact, continuous training is mandatory for the success of your team and
the organization. Policies and procedures are constantly changing and improving in attempts to
efficiently achieve our goals and meet the needs of our customers. To stay ahead of our
competitors, it is crucial we are up-to-date in training and development of our employees with
our network communications and social development in this new age of modern technology.

LEADER GUIDEBOOK FOR NEW SUPERVISORS

References
Batool, B. F. (2013). Emotional intelligence and effective leadership. Journal of Business Studies
Quarterly, 4(3), 84-94. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/1450019591?accountid=27965
Mayhew,R.(2016).Importanceofcommunicationskillsforsupervisors.Retrievedfrom
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importancecommunicationskillssupervisors
10255.html
MindTools.(2016).Howgoodareyourleadershipskills.Retrievedfrom
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_50.htm
MindTools.(2016).10commonleadershipandmanagementmistakes.Retrievedfrom
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/leadership-mistakes.htm
Supervisor. (2016). BusinessDictionary.com Retrieved from
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/supervisor.html
Valcour, M. (2014). If youre not helping people develop, youre not management material.
Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2014/01/if-youre-not-helpingpeople-develop-youre-not-management-material