Introduction

As soon as a person takes the step from the position of operational employee to that of a supervisor, his focus and view of his work should change totally.

When you were an operational employee, you focused on your own objectives and the fulfilment which you obtained from your position.

As supervisor, your focus stretches much wider. It now shifts to the objectives of your section; in other words, to the achievement of the objectives of your subordinates as well as that of the section.

You have, amongst other things, the following responsibilities: to plan the section’s activities and handle operational employees’ problems, to be concerned with other people’s welfare, to get them motivated to do their best, train them and control their activities.

You can no longer spend all your time on the functional work, as you are now also the “supervisor” of lower-level employees and must pay attention to your administrative functions. If you remain the full-time “doer” of functional work, who will take the responsibility for supervising the team?

Click here to view a video on the core skills you need to be a good supervisor.