Effective Supervision - Paper Example

Supervision involves those managerial activities which include the provision of a practical structure meant to help co-workers perform their tasks efficiently. Effective supervision acts as a safe platform which allows employees to assess their practices, thus helping them to develop skills and knowledge on how to perform particular duties. The dynamics of supervision are complex. It follows that for an organization to deliver efficient supervision, supervisors should be equipped with an acceptable set of skills which are vital in enhancing the whole process.

Characteristics of an Effective Supervisor in an Administrative or Clinical Capacity

Effective supervision is associated with a particular set of skills and features. Supervisors in administrative and clinical setting ought to be characterized by a collection of elements which enhance their ability in the provision of supervisory services. A competent supervisor is approachable. Supervisors are expected to eliminate all possible walls or obstacles that can make them unapproachable by the subordinate staff (Northouse, 2016). Modern organizations thrive under strong working relationships. As a manager, one is required to nurture a working relationship with the employees to offer leadership, thus facilitating the process of achieving the set goals CITATION Car16 \l 1033 (Colter, 2016). It follows that managers should always be willing to listen to the grievances of others. Supervisors should also be effective communicators, which ensures that they give precise work instructions as well as keeping others informed always.

Supervisors should practice delegation of duties. According to the leader-member exchange theory, an effective leader is one who is ready to trust others through delegation of the task to individuals who possess right skills and experience. Delegation plays an integral role in maximizing the talent of team members since it facilitates the nurturing of skills for those aspiring to senior positions within an organization (Northouse, 2016). Effective managers do not advocate for favoritism but rather treat everyone equitably. Effective supervisors are also ethical, accountable and trustworthy. Supervisors usually pursue right course, implying that they can be trusted to make fair decisions, regardless of the situation. These characteristics epitomize effective supervision which needs to be adopted for better managerial outcomes.

Leadership Theories Applicable in Effective Practice of Supervision

Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory is one of the leadership models that can be incorporated in the facilitation of effective supervision. LMX theory perceives leadership as a process which is hugely dependent on the interactions between a leader and the subject (followers). As a leader, a supervisor is supposed to advocate for the establishment of the in-group employees. LMX theory points out that in-group staff members have access to more information, influence, sense of belonging and confidence (Northouse, 2016). This implies that an in-group workforce is dependable and highly involved in various operational activities within an organization, thus being in a position to perform beyond their limits. This attests that LMX theory is compatible with effective practices of supervision since it advocates for optimization of employees abilities through interactive leadership approach.

Adaptive leadership theory is another model which is compatible with the concept of effective supervision. Adaptive leadership approach requires that leaders (supervisors) to motivate to embrace and cope with challenges or changes that arise in their areas of operation. When using this leadership, supervisors are supposed to encourage employees to be responsive to the dynamic environments that embody workplaces (Northouse, 2016). Effective supervisors should focus on the attention of workers when it comes to addressing and resolving changes that are significant in their tasks.

Conclusion

Effective supervision plays a significant role in the management, and it is mainly dependent on the leadership approaches adopted by a given organization. It is imperative for an institution to implement appropriate leadership models which advocate for effective supervision.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Colter, C. (2016). Characteristics of Effective Supervisors. Cooperative Grocer Network, 1-3.

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. SAGE.