Learning to Lead: A Course for New Supervisors

After identifying an organizational need, I created a course for equipping new supervisors with the skills they needed. This course consists of six modules.

Course Content:

Module 1. The Fundamentals of Supervision

This module begins by defining the term “supervisor” and the roles that supervisors can fill in the workplace. Next, it moves onto a discussion of management styles and prompts the participant to consider his or her own management style. Participants are then shown several sample management expectations statements, and are challenged to create their own. The module finishes with a video on individual and team behavioral styles and tips for being a better communicator.

 Module 1 Lesson Plan

Module 2. Transitioning from Peer to Supervisor

This module begins by challenging newly promoted supervisors to ask some questions with the goal of clarifying their new role. It then identifies some challenges that a newly promoted supervisor will (likely) face, both with his/her own position and with former peers. The module then provides some concrete steps a newly promoted supervisor should take for dealing with these challenges. Next, this module looks at some myths and realities of supervision that may surprise newly promoted supervisors and discusses techniques that can be used during team meetings. The module then introduces the idea of a 30-60-90 Day Plan, provides an example plan, and challenges participants to develop their own action plan.

 Module 2 Lesson Plan

Module 3. Building Your Team

This module begins with an overview of the hiring process, which is broken down into seven steps. An explanation and strategies are provided for each step. The module then explores the importance of onboarding employees, and explains the agency’s current orientation and professional development process. This module finishes with an examination of the phases that teams go through and strategies that leaders should employ during each of the phases.

 Module 3 Lesson Plan

Module 4. Effectrive Delegation, Team Meetings, and Fostering Accountability

This module begins with an examination of how to delegate tasks effectively. Participants are challenged to reflect upon their work experience and recall times that delegation was effective and ineffective, and then think critically about why it did (or didn’t) work. Participants are then given some practical advice about delegating effective. Finally, participants are shown a video that addresses some of the fears (and rewards) of delegating tasks. This module then moves onto a discussion of team meetings, include the necessary planning elements and how to deal with challenging behaviors. This module ends with a discussion on how to set clear goals, then prioritize those goals, and hold employees accountable for their tasks.

 Module 4 Lesson Plan

Module 5. Conducting Performance Reviews and Correcting Performance Problems

This module begins with an examination of performance reviews, including the necessary steps, a sequence of how to conduct the meeting, strategies for reflecting upon an employee, methods of building upon an employee’s strengths and mitigating an employee’s weaknesses. It then reviews the WRAAA’s performance review policies.

 Module 5 Lesson Plan

Module 6. Managing Change and Transition

This module begins with a reflection of the organizational changes the participants have experienced and a video that describes the necessary elements for an organization change. Participants share about the changes they have witnessed, and why (in their opinion) the changes succeeded or failed. The module then examines the three phases of transitions and gives some suggestions for what to do in each of the phases. The participants are offered 21 questions that must be answered for a successful change. Participants are then exposed to Lewin’s Three-Phase Model and Force Field Analysis. Next, participants are presented with advice about how to communicate about a change. Finally, participants examine a change worksheet that helps tie all of the elements of a successful change together.

 Module 6 Lesson Plan

The full outline of the course can be downloaded by clicking here.

Workbooks & Handouts: