Supervising and Supporting Your Staff

• Set specific performance objectives for and with each staff member.
• Develop a supervisory schedule showing the date and time of supervisory sessions and distribute it to staff.
• Develop a supervisory checklist that lists what will be observed, the data to be collected, and program support activities for each session.
• Supervisory sessions, at minimum, consist of:
  • A review of the activities for the past three to six months;
  • A plan for future activities;
  • A discussion of employee concerns.
• Review the notes of the supervisory sessions immediately following the sessions, write down the follow-up activities that were promised during the session, and carry them out.
• Handle performance problems in a timely and equitable manner, and find reasonable solutions with the help of the employee in question.
• Employ conflict resolution techniques and handle conflicts in a timely and equitable manner.
• Pay attention to the quality of the work environment and make adjustments as needed.
• Use staff motivation techniques.
• Provide constructive feedback on a regular basis.
• Conduct scheduled employee performance appraisals, providing employees with the time and opportunity to comment on the effectiveness of their supervisors.