Employee retention and engagement are key to successful companies. The Supervision Essentials program, developed by a faculty team with both academic and managerial experience, is designed for first-level supervisors, managers new to supervising others, and/or individuals likely to move into a supervision role.

The program features four courses; each course consists of four half-day modules (for a total of 16 modules). All classes are held in a video-conferencing classroom, using Zoom video-conferencing technology. Each course also has online learning components.

Supervisor Roles & Responsibilities (MDEV 6000)
Course Content
Module 1: Meeting Supervisory Responsibilities
•    The Transitions to Supervision
•    Supervisory Roles and Skills
•    Values and Ethics
•    Management Approaches and Styles
Module 2: Communicating Effectively
•    Interpersonal Communication
•    The Elements of a Message
•    Communication Barriers and Problems
•    Effective Listening
Module 3: Building Work Relationships
•    Interpersonal Styles
• High-Quality Work Relationships
•    Strengthening Work Relationships
•    Building Trust with Employees
Module 4: Leading Others
•    Characteristics of Effective Leaders
•    Leadership Focused Areas
•    Providing Excellent Direction
•    Delegating Effectively

Solving Problems and Managing Priorities
Course Content
Module 1: Managing Time and Priorities
•    Identifying Priorities
•    Maintaining Focus
•    Dealing with Time Wasters
•    A Goal-Based Approach to Time Management
Module 2: Solving Problems
•    Problems Faced by Supervisors
•    The Six-Step Problem-Solving Process
•    Tools and Techniques for Solving Problems
•    Applying Tools to Current Problems
Module 3: Resolving Conflicts
•    Causes and Nature of Interpersonal Conflict
•    Conflict Resolution Styles
•    Planning Positive Resolutions
•    Guidelines for Positive Interactions
Module 4: Supervising Projects
•    What is a Project?
•    Project Stages and Elements
•    Tools for Project Planning, Coordination and Monitoring
•    Reducing Project-Related Problems

Managing Employee Performance (MDEV 6001)
Course Content
Module 1: Setting the Stage for Excellent Performance
•    Performance Management
•    What Motivates Employees
•    Supervisor as Performance Manager
•    Expectations for Excellence
Module 2: Clarifying Expectations and Observing Performance
•    SMART Performance Objectives
•    Setting Standards and Measures
•    Communicating Expectations
•    Observations and Performance Data
Module 3: Coaching and Providing Feedback
•    Supervisor as Coach
•    Providing Effective Feedback
•    Developing Coaching Skills
•    Planning a Coaching Session
Module 4: Dealing with Challenging Performance Situations
•    Performance Improvement Sessions
•    Positive Approach to Discipline
•    Planning for Performance Improvement
•    High-Quality Performance Evaluations

Solving Problems and Managing Priorities (MDEV 6002)
Course Content

  • Module 1: Managing Time and Priorities
  • Identifying Priorities
  • Maintaining Focus
  • Dealing with Time Wasters
  • A Goal-Based Approach to Time Management

Module 2: Solving Problems

  • Problems Faced by Supervisors
  • The Six-Step Problem-Solving Process
  • Tools and Techniques for Solving Problems
  • Applying Tools to Current Problems

Module 3: Resolving Conflicts

  • Causes and Nature of Interpersonal Conflict
  • Conflict Resolution Styles
  • Planning Positive Resolutions
  • Guidelines for Positive Interactions

Module 4: Supervising Projects

  • What is a Project?
  • Project Stages and Elements
  • Tools for Project Planning, Coordination and Monitoring
  • Reducing Project-Related Problems

Developing Individuals and Teams (MDEV 6010)
Course Content
Module 1: Interviewing and Selecting Employees

  • Behavioral Interviewing
  • Planning the Interview and Developing Questions
  • Conducting Effective Interviews
  • Legal Considerations in Employee Selection

Module 2: Developing Employee Skills

  • The Supervisor’s Role in Skill Development
  • Determining Employee Needs for Development
  • On-The-Job Training and Coaching
  • Tips for Effective Classroom Training

Module 3: Developing a Team

  • Characteristics of Effective Teams
  • Developing Teams for Success
  • Reducing Barriers to Teamwork
  • Virtual Teams

Module 4: Building a Positive Work Climate

  • Employee Interactions, Work Climates, and Performance
  • Respect in a Diverse Workforce
  • Dealing with Difficult Behavior in Others
  • Keeping on Top of Stress

Questions? For more information contact Continuing Education at 717-749-4118 or [email protected].