Trip Report: Effective Supervision I - day one

Two days of training with the very entertaining British woman. Delightful accent, lots of energy, interesting stories, she was a fabulous teacher.

We began the day with an analysis of our own interpersonal style. This was FASCINATING and explained a lot about how we as individuals relate to others. It was a much simpler process than the MBTI and really was an interesting assessment. I highly recommend this trainer and this process for one of our retreats! There was a video that went along with this that was vastly entertaining. (Particularly for a training video)…

Day One

Supervision: Roles, Expectations and Responsibilities

Discussion and learning objectives centered on identifying roles and challenges of being a supervisor. There were quizzes, assessments, videos to help with this process.

Effective Managerial Communication

Assess the type of message, the audience and how to communicate it. Do not email corrective action.

Listening skills and this was not just a “parrot back” type of active listening. This section was interesting although it did include the dreaded “role playing” activities.

Impediments to Effective Listening

• Impatiently waiting to talk
• Information overload
• Preoccupation
• Perceived low value of message
• Prejudice (low value of the messenger)
• The challenges of concentration
• Jumping to concluisions
• Preconceivedc assumptions
• Selective listening
• Embracing the minutia
• Lack of empathy
• Emotions (fear, anger, grief, etc.)
• Physical distractions
• Poor delivery of the messages
• Replaying the positive

Four Ineffective Listening Styles

1. The missing in action listener
2. The distracted listener
3. The selective listener
4. The contentious listener

The Twelve Characteristics of an Effective Listener

1. Have a strong commitment to the listening process
2. Realize that listening skills are neither instinctive nor eternal
3. Are motivated to learn, practice and reinforce their active listening skills
4. Display high self-confidence and self-assurance by listening effectively
5. Are high efficient in completing their assignments and fulfilling their responsibilities.
6. Demonstrate greater flexibility in resolving disagreements and conflicts
7. Participate more intelligently and effectively in conversations
8. Are as focused on their communication partner’s message as they are on their own
9. Make more decisions based on a solid foundation of facts and data and avoid reactionary, shoot-from-the-hip conclusions
10. Experience greater upward career mobility
11. Suffer less embarrassment resulting from foolish mistakes or incompetent decisions
12. Successfully control the listening barriers that effect their reception of messages.