Introduction

1.1 Introduction

IMPORTANT: This training program is not intended to be a substitute for the policies and procedures established by your organization with regard to its contents. It is not intended, and should not be construed to be advice for the specific employee management issue or issues you face. Always seek the advice of your organization's human resources advisor, employee assistance professional, or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding personnel management issues. The information in this program is generic regarding the role of the supervisor. It may not conform to the rules and agreements your organization has established with a labor or work groups (where appicable.) Do not disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this program. If you think you may have an emergency with regard to your employee's conduct or behavior that threatens life or property, contact 911 immediately.

INTRODUCTION:
This course gives you the tools to master 14 skills to supervise employees. Regardless of your head count or type of business, you must develop "people smarts" to manage, motivate and problem-solve effectively.
These 14 skills involve various aspects of communication: listening well, speaking clearly and resolving conflicts with calm, fair-minded professionalism. During the course, you will be given short quizzes to help you apply what you are learning. Be sure to view all the contents on each page by scrolling where indicated. Don't miss important links at the bottom of some pages.
Use the BLUE forward and backward buttons to navigate the course. Print any page you would like to have for future reference.
If you must quit the course early, be sure to click the "SAVE" BUTTON in the left-hand margin to create a bookmark. When you restart the course, click on the "GO TO" BUTTON to return to where you left off.
Aside from communicating well, the best supervisors also possess keen observational skills. As you learn to detect signs of potential problems before they worsen, you can enact solutions sooner rather than later.
While these 14 skills provide an overview of what supervisors do to succeed on the job, they should serve as part of your commitment to continuous improvement. It's your responsibility to learn and grow as a leader, to identify your strengths and weaknesses on an ongoing basis and adopt strategies to produce even better results.
There's an infinite amount to learn about supervising employees; no single course can complete your education. See the reading list at the end of this course to gain more understanding of these essential tools.
Most importantly, treat each day as a learning experience. Study what works--and what doesn't work--when it comes to persuading people, gaining compliance, and supporting their success. Your experience is unique and is the wisdom you gain from it.