Supervising others means getting work done through people: delegating, setting expectations, giving feedback, resolving conflict and developing your team, while still managing your own time. This guide covers six habits of effective supervisors – see all BOTI leadership and management courses.
The current course runs at your offices anywhere in South Africa, live online or at a BOTI venue. The course page has the up-to-date outline and group prices.
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What supervising others involves
Supervising others can be a tough job. Between managing your own time and projects, helping team members solve problems and finish tasks, and supporting other supervisors, the day fills up quickly. The supervisors who cope best rely on a few practical habits.
Six habits of effective supervisors
- Delegate well. Match tasks to people’s skills, explain the outcome you need, agree on a deadline and check in without taking the task back.
- Manage your own time. Plan the week, block time for your own priorities and batch routine admin.
- Set clear objectives and expectations. Agree on what good work looks like, for yourself and for each team member.
- Give regular feedback. Recognise good work specifically, and address problems early and privately.
- Resolve conflict. Listen to both sides, focus on the issue rather than the person and agree on a way forward.
- Develop your people. Coach team members to solve problems themselves, so that you are not the bottleneck.
Supervisory training at BOTI
BOTI’s separate Supervising Others course has been replaced by Supervisory Skills for Team Leaders (2 days), which covers the supervisor’s role, people skills, team building and getting the work done. Related courses include Coaching and Mentoring Course (2 days) and Essential Time Management Skills (1 day). For an accredited route, see the QCTO Occupational Certificate: Office Supervisor.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a supervisor do?
A supervisor plans and allocates work, sets standards, gives feedback, resolves day-to-day problems and conflict, and develops the team, while managing their own time and tasks.
How should a supervisor delegate?
Match the task to the person’s skills, explain the result you need and the deadline, give the authority to do the work, and check in without taking the task back.
How do supervisors give effective feedback?
Be specific about the behaviour and its effect, praise good work promptly, and raise problems early, in private and with an agreed way forward.
Which BOTI course teaches supervisory skills?
Supervisory Skills for Team Leaders runs over two days, in-house, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online.
Book BOTI’s Supervisory Skills for Team Leaders (2 days) course. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or request a quote. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
