The essential qualities required to be a good supervisor November 1, 2017

Most good supervisors do not become good by chance. It takes a certain type of individual to become a good supervisor and there are several things that all good supervisors have in common. These things are essential leadership qualities that are required for leaders in all areas of life.

There isn’t a magic formula for being a good supervisor, of course, but if you supervise workers, perhaps the following tips will help you be more effective as a supervisor.

With the power and authority granted to the supervisor, great responsibility takes place.

Lets look at some of the essential qualities needed to make a good supervisor:

Integrity - The first essential quality required in a leader is integrity. Integrity is something that explains a person's inner values and a person's integrity is displayed through their outward actions. People tend to respect leaders that display good integrity. It is a character trait that is hard to develop, but is often developed from childhood on.

Emotional intelligence - An effective supervisor is one who offers leadership, resolves conflicts and provides an ear for their team. This is a person who can recognise their own emotion in a situation as well as recognise the emotions of others, is empathetic and has top-notch social skills. Emotional Intelligence is a critical skill in modern day management where teams are diverse and there is a need for work-life balance.

Creativity - Creativity is what separates competence from excellence. Creativity is the spark that propels projects forward and that captures peoples' attention. Creativity is the ingredient that pulls the different pieces together into a cohesive whole, adding zest and appeal in the process.

Offer credit to those who earned it - A great leader does not want all of the credit of a company, project or job. Instead, a great leader distributes credit where it is due. He offers credit to those who earn it, and readily displays selfless characteristics. Many times, a leader will not take any credit himself, but will instead credit those around him. To display genuine magnanimity, a person must not be looking for attention to make himself look better, but must be willing to make those around him, stand out.

Adapt to the changes – The World is changing at a fast pace. The efficient supervisors keep up with it and do not just blindly follow the age old norms and rules. They think out of the box if required and adjust to the needs of the organisation.

A coacher/mentor - Share your experience. A good supervisor shares their wisdom, knowledge and experience with all employees. A good supervisor helps them perform better. This also strengthens the bond and the trust between them.

Be an example- A good supervisor must not limit themselves to strictly managing people, but should also take part in all types of activities. It is easier for employees, or others, to do their jobs when they see that their leader, or manager, is also willing to do the same job. A leader should take part in all types of activities, and should never think that certain jobs are beneath him.

Show no favouritism - It is human nature to have a favourite, to prefer one person or thing to another. However, this does not augur well with your teammates when you are a supervisor. It divides your team and diminishes your authority. Even if you have a favourite, try to stay neutral. Solve disputes in a neutral way and provide leadership. When your team members trust you to make neutral and well-informed decisions, they will trust you and your decisions.

Communication - Communication skills are required for leaders. A leader must be able to communicate well with people, employees and customers. They must keep a good balance of assertiveness and respect. They must be able to delegate duties well, but be able to avoid demeaning people, or making them feel like they are unimportant. Good communication skills are required to convey messages to those a person is leading. Employees must understand directions. If they do not, their work may suffer. Not because they cannot do the job, but because they do not understand what is expected.

Be approachable - Employees should not hesitate in approaching the supervisor with their concerns and problems. An efficient supervisor will make sure that there is enough trust and openness between them and the employees for the latter to come to them with their grievances.

Inspiring - Finally, a good supervisor should be inspiring to those around him. They should display a sense of encouragement and should be a positive thinker. Great leaders are able to influence others to do a great job with whatever they are doing. Inspiring leaders tend to be more effective on the people they are leading. They cause those around them to want to do their jobs well, and to work towards the goals and visions of the company.

Looking for a supervisory skills course? Read about our supervisor training and find out more about our supervisor courses today.