Making the Transition to First-Line Supervisor
Importance of First-Line Supervision
First Line of Contact for Employees
Development of Organization Talent
Paradoxes of First-Line Supervision
Being a Supervisor and a Technical Expert
Little Effort Is Devoted to Training
Supervising Tasks and Learning Skills
Other Considerations Affecting Leadership Style
Personal Qualities of an Effective First-Line Supervisor
Accept Responsibility for Your Actions
Set Priorities and Stick to Them
Strive for Continuous Improvement
Maximize the Relationship Potential
First-Line Supervision Key Competencies
Supervising in a Changing Environment
Listener Problems and Solutions
Exactly What Is Being Proposed?
What Is Supposed to Be Done About It?
Improving Personal Listening Habits
Listen for Ideas, Emotions, and Feelings
Listen for What Is Not Being Said
Control Your Emotional Reactions
Overcome Personal Prejudgments and Distractions
Hear the Other Person Out (Don’t Interrupt)
Use Open-Ended Questions for Active Listening
Planning and Conducting Meetings
Use Simple, Straightforward Language
Be Sensitive to the Tone of Your Writing
Write from the Viewpoint of the Reader
Types of Development Activities
Setting Goals and Maintaining Focus
Developing an Orientation Plan
Conducting New Employee Orientation
Making Sure Training Is Effective
Provide an Opportunity to Perform
Ensure a Supportive Environment
Encourage and Recognize Improvements
Key Factors in Assessing a Possible Coaching Situation
Provide Positive Feedback to Reinforce Performance
Performance Appraisal as a Feedback Tool
Working with Difficult Employees
Strategies for Working with Difficult Behaviors
Steps for Successful Conflict Management
Transforming a Group into a Team
Avoid Making Commitments You Can’t Keep
Work to Resolve Workplace Issues
Different Folks, Different Strokes
Establish and Communicate Expectations
Delegating to Get the Work Done
Guidelines for Successful Delegation
Planning and Organizing for Success
Make Your Plan Specific, Achievable, and Measurable
Determine Priorities Beforehand
Questions Your Plan Should Answer
Use a Daily List of Things to Do
Determine the Best Use of Your Time Right Now
Strive for Life Balance with Your Time
Effects of Stress on Productivity
8 Supervising in a Changing Environment
Legal Issues for First-Line Supervisors
Government Laws and Organization Policies
Supervising a Diverse Workforce
Your Role in Supervising Diversity
Developing Yourself for Diversity
The Distance Manager and Virtual Work
What, Why, and When of Distance Management and Virtual Work
Being a Successful Distance Manager
Being a Successful Virtual Worker
Managing Change as a First-Line Supervisor
Reevaluate Your Confidence Level