How did the supervisor acquire his/her position? What background/preparation did the person have; e.g., formal education, company-specific training, etc.? What traits, characteristics, and/or skills does the supervisor think are most important to being an effective supervisor? (Consider the supervisor's responses in terms of what's been covered in this class in formulating your response to this question). When this person first became a supervisor, what was the most surprising discovery about the assignment to the supervisory position; provide examples with explanations? Ask the supervisor to describe a typical day. Find out what percentage of time each day is spent on the five functions of a supervisor (e.g., think of a pie chart where you explain the percentages the supervisor spends on each managerial function). What are the most rewarding aspects of being a supervisor, why? What are the biggest challenges of being an effective supervisor, why? Ask the interviewee to describe a situation that he/she did not handle well and how it contributed to their being a better supervisor today; what the consequences and what did they learn from the experience. (This experience could relate to either the supervisor's current employment or with a previous employer). Ask the supervisor to share